Top Car News Of The Week: Launch Timelines Of Upcoming Models Revealed

Last week was relatively slow for car launches, as the automotive market in India grew by just one car model. However, we did get some information about the slew of upcoming vehicles that’ll be launched in India and abroad as global carmakers recover from supply chain and pandemic-related problems. 

Here’s the full overview of the key updates and highlights from the car world that you may have missed out on in the past week:

Honda City eHEV Unveiled:

One of the biggest highlights of last week was the unveiling of Honda’s first mass-market strong hybrid in India, the City eHEV sedan. It has a new, more efficient 1.5-litre engine paired with a powerful electric motor and an e-CVT “transmission” that’s essentially another electric motor-generator. Find out all about its inner workings and how it promises to deliver a stellar 26.5kmpl fuel economy on petrol in our City hybrid feature. 

Maruti Ertiga Launched: 

The 2022 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga arrived in India with a more efficient K15C DualJet petrol engine that’ll soon replace the 1.5-litre petrol engines in Maruti’s sedan and SUV models. The carmaker has also given the Ertiga an optional, highway-friendly 6-speed automatic gearbox that replaces the older 4-speed transmission. You even get paddle shifters with the auto ‘box – a first for Maruti – as well as front side airbags on higher-spec variants. 

Mercedes C-Class Bookings Open: 

Mercedes will launch the next-generation C-Class in India on May 10, and existing customers are getting first dibs on the luxury sedan. The new C-Class is larger, more spacious and features an all-new, modern interior design. In addition, the W206 generation also brings an important efficiency update – a new mild-hybrid system that’ll be standard on all models. 

Fisker Arrives In India: 

The US-based carmaker known for the Karma sports car has officially made its India entry with a new office in Hyderabad. Fisker plans to bring the new Ocean electric SUV and upcoming Pear EV to our shores in the near future. The Ocean is set to begin production later this year, and we could see it arrive in India sometime in 2023. 

More Global NCAP Results Announced: 

Global NCAP crash-tested the India-spec base variants of the Toyota Urban Cruiser, and the Hyundai Creta and i20. While the Urban Cruiser scored four out of five stars for adult occupant protection, the Hyundai models didn’t fare so well, netting only three-star ratings. Since the models tested were all base variants, they were only equipped with dual front airbags, ABS and rear parking sensors. The i20 and Urban Cruiser also offer ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard, and all three vehicles scored three stars for child occupant protection.  

Skoda Kushaq Monte Carlo Announced:

The Skoda Kushaq will get a sportier Monte Carlo variant on March 9, 2022. It’ll have a new set of alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim and an all-black interior theme. The Monte Carlo trim package will likely be paired with the larger and more powerful Skoda engine that’s on offer – the 150PS 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol engine. 

Volkswagen Virtus Launch Date Confirmed: 

The new VW Virtus will go on sale in June as a rival to the Honda City. Based on the same platform as the Slavia, the Virtus is larger and better equipped than the Vento it replaces. Its standard powertrain will be a 1-litre TSI petrol engine, but a more powerful 1.5-litre TSI will be on offer on the GT Line trim level. 

Hyundai Venue N Line Spied:

The Hyundai Venue is due for a facelift, and we now know it’ll also get a sportier N Line variant. Although the test mule that we spied was heavily camouflaged, you can spot its dual exhaust tips peeking from under the rear bumper. It’s also expected to get a distinct set of alloy wheels and plenty of red accents, and it’ll become the only sub-4m SUV in India to offer a sportier variant. 

International News Roundup: 

BMW globally revealed the facelifted X7 flagship SUV with a bold new look and a split headlight setup. Meanwhile, in another part of Europe, Mercedes took a Vision EQXX prototype on a cross-border road trip to France via the Swiss Alps and Italy. Across the Atlantic, another European carmaker called Deus revealed the Vayanne electric hypercar at the ongoing 2022 New York Motor Show.