The luxury car market in India has become increasingly competitive over the years. Car manufacturers waste no time and introduce their cars in the country soon after their global debuts. The market is mainly dominated by the German trio of Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW. However, Swedish automaker Volvo is also focusing on the Indian market and is planning a few launches, including that of its performance-oriented brand, Polestar. In 2017, the first Japanese luxury brand – Lexus – will also be introduced here. Here's the list of luxury cars we are expecting next year.
Audi
Audi A3 Facelift
Audi India’s entry-level model – the A3 – is due for its midlife update. The Ingolstadt-based automaker revealed the facelifted A3 earlier this year in April and is expected to launch the car in early 2017. The updated A3 now features the new A4-esque front profile along with optional Matrix LED headlights. Mechanically, it is likely to get the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol, similar to the new A4, while the 2.0-litre diesel will remain unaltered.
Audi S5 Sportback
Audi revealed the second-gen S5 Sportback in September 2016 globally. In India, it will replace the first-gen car next year. Like the facelifted A3, the all-new S5 also borrows inspiration from the new A4, especially on the inside. Mechanically, the outgoing car’s 3.0-litre supercharged motor will be replaced by a more powerful and efficient 3.0-litre turbocharged mill.
Audi TT RS
Audi is coming up with a hotter and go-fast version of the third-gen TT, the TT RS, next year in India. Besides the wicked aesthetic additions, the TT RS packs a 2.5-litre turbocharged motor that chucks out close to 400PS of power and 480Nm of max twist. Audi's legendary Quattro AWD (all-wheel drive) tech helps it clock 0-100kmph in just 3.7 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 250kmph.
Audi Q2
The Q2 sits below the highly-popular Q3 in Audi’s global SUV lineup as the most affordable ‘Q’ range vehicle, and India will be no different. The Q2 has its own identity and doesn't resemble the rest of the Q range of SUVs. Considering the penchant of Indians toward SUVs and the popularity of the Q3, the Q2 has the potential to become the bestselling model for the brand in the country. And like the Q3, Audi may offer a manual transmission option for the Q2 to keep its prices cut-throat.
Audi Q5
The second-gen Audi Q5, which was revealed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, looks like a scaled down version of the automaker’s flagship SUV, the Q7. And it also shares the same platform – MLB EVO. Mechanically, the new Q5 is expected to come with a choice of 2.0-litre diesel and petrol motors in the country. It will go on sale next year and will primarily go up against the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the BMW X3.
Audi SQ7
Sources suggest that Audi is mulling over the launch of the most brutal Q7 – the SO7 – in the country. The SQ7 packs a 4.0-litre V8 oil burner that produces a max power of 435PS and a tarmac shattering 900Nm of peak torque. The motor propels this full-sized beast from nought to 100kmph in merely 4.8 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250kmph.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz E Class
Like the current C Class, the 2017 E Class has also borrowed its styling cues from the flagship saloon – the S Class. The E Class even has a similar cabin with the two adjoining, seamless 12.3-inch displays. Mechanically, the E Class will borrow its petrol powertrain from the C Class, while it will additionally get a brand new 2.0-litre diesel. It will be launched next year and will compete with the upcoming brand-new BMW 5 Series and the facelifted Audi A6.
Mercedes-AMG CLA45
The performance-oriented AMG version of the recently launched facelifted CLA will also be launched next year. The Mercedes-AMG CLA45 gets updated sportier styling, both on the inside and on the outside. Also, the all-LED headlights are now standard in the CLA45 AMG. Mechanically, it will get a slightly uprated 2.0-litre turbo petrol.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
Like its bigger sibling, the GLE Coupe, Mercedes is likely to launch the coupe version of the GLC SUV next year. Mechanically, in the GLC Coupe, we expect Mercedes-Benz to plonk in either the 220d or the 250d diesel engine, that generates 170PS and 204PS of power, respectively. The German automaker may also launch the AMG version of the coupe SUV in the country. It is expected to be priced slightly higher than the regular avatar.
BMW
BMW 5 Series
BMW has revealed the brand-new 5 Series, which is expected to launch in the second half of next year. The new 5 Series has borrowed design cues of the 7 series, especially for the front profile. It also shares its platform with the 7 Series, however, it doesn’t use the expensive ‘Carbon Core’ of the later. That said, extensive use of aluminium for the structure, body panels and suspension has resulted in weight savings of up to 100kg compared to the outgoing model. Mechanically, all the engines in the 2017 5 Series Sedan lineup are from the new modular BMW EfficientDynamics family of powerplants.
BMW M2
Okay, we might be hoping for too much, but BMW could, and should, introduce the M2 in India. The reason is simple, Mercedes-Benz has the CLA45 AMG in place to cater to performance-minded enthusiasts and is also the cheapest AMG on sale in India. On the other hand, all the M cars present in the country are priced north of Rs 1 crore and the M2 can be offered at a much cheaper rate, at least around the price tag of the CLA45 AMG. The M2 has garnered a lot of appreciation globally, because of its raw appeal coupled to a great chassis and an equally capable 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder motor. The turbocharged unit produces 365PS of power and sends it to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch unit. The car’s 50:50 weight distribution gives it exceptional driving dynamics and a rear wheel drive only setup adds up to the fun factor.
Volvo
Volvo XC90 R-Design
Over time, Volvo India has introduced most of the iterations of the XC90 in the country, including the range-topping T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid avatar. And the Swedish automaker is not shying away from launching the R-Design version of the SUV as well, which will be launched next year. In India, Volvo might introduce this sportier looking version with the D5 diesel engine option. The R-Design avatar gets additional features inside and outside along with sportier aesthetics, and will be priced higher than the stock version.
Facelifted Volvo V40 and V40 Cross Country
In February, Volvo introduced the facelifted versions of the V40 and the V40 Cross Country, which are expected to be launched in the first half of next year. The significant change in the duo is the adoption of Volvo’s latest design language with the incorporation of ‘Thor's Hammer’ LED daytime running LEDs. The cars continue to be powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo diesel and 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines, which produce 150PS and 180PS of power output, respectively.
Volvo S60 Polestar
With the S60 Polestar, Volvo will officially launch the Polestar, its performance-oriented brand in the country. For the uninitiated, Polestar has a racing history with Volvo cars and it later started offering performance upgrades for the Swedish brand’s cars. Ultimately in 2015, Volvo acquired Polestar and the latter is currently Volvo’s performance division. The S60 Polestar is powered by a 2.0-litre Drive-E four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 367PS of power and 467Nm of torque. It sprints from 0-100kmph in merely 4.7 seconds!
Volvo V90 Cross Country
Volvo is playing bold with the launch of the V90 Cross Country, which will happen around mid-2017. The V90 Cross Country (cross-estate) is also based on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) as the S90 and the XC90. The Cross Country gets 65mm of added ground clearance as compared to the stock V90 and body cladding to butch things up. Mechanically, it will most likely be offered with the same 'D4' diesel engine as the S90, that makes 190PS/400Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Land Rover
Land Rover Discovery
Tata-owned, British off-road automaker, Land Rover, has unveiled the brand-new Discovery at the recently held 2016 Paris Motor Show. The overall design is similar to the 2014 Discovery Vision Concept. Unlike its predecessor, which was on sale in the country, the new Discovery is based on a monocoque chassis with an aluminium intensive construction that makes it nearly 500kg lighter than the former. Mechanically, expected engine options in India are a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine that makes 240PS and 500Nm along with the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder TD6 diesel engine that makes 258PS and 600Nm. Both the engines will come paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It will be launched somewhere in next year and will be a direct import, which is why prices may fall into the range of Rs 1.20-1.40 crore.
Range Rover Evoque Convertible
The coupe-like Evoque is one of the most selling Land Rover products in the country. It became so popular that the automaker started local assembly of the SUV after its launch. Now, the company wants to add oomph to the Evoque's line-up with the launch of the Evoque Convertible. Unveiled at the 2015 Los Angeles Motor Show, it went on sale earlier this year in some of the global markets. The Evoque Convertible adds the practicality of an SUV, while giving you wind-in-the-hair experience. Land Rover claims that it is capable of raising and lowering its roof in around 20 seconds at speeds of up to 48kmph. Unlike the regular Evoque, the convertible will be a direct import and will be relatively expensive.
Lexus
Lexus LX450d
The LX450d, which is the flagship SUV of Lexus, is based on the mighty Toyota Land Cruise. This body-on-frame SUV is likely to get a price tag in the vicinity of Rs 2 crore. It will be powered by a 4.5-litre V8 engine that puts out 273PS of max power and a massive 650Nm of peak torque and is coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox. It is also available in a petrol guise, but initially, it is believed that Lexus will only launch this diesel avatar of the SUV.
Lexus Rx450h
The Lexus Rx450h is in its fourth-generation and made its world debut at the 2015 New York Motor Show. Toyota will launch the Lexus brand early next year and Rx450h will be one of the very first models. The RX 450h (in which ‘h’ stands for hybrid) SUV will take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, the new Audi Q5 and the BMW X3, but it will be priced higher, courtesy CBU import. It comes with a 3.5-litre Atkinson-cycle V6 petrol motor, which puts out 259PS @ 6,000rpm of max power and 335Nm @ 4,800rpm of peak torque. Speaking of the electric motors, at the front, the RX 450h comes with two electric motors. One of the motors is used as a generator, engine starter, and to carry out the function of transmission ratio control. And the second motor drives the front wheels (along with the engine) and puts out a healthy 165PS of max power. The third motor is placed on the rear axle and drives the rear wheels. The max power rating of this motor is 67PS.
Source: CarDekho.com
