Cars launching in 2016: MPVs

The MPV market in India has been slowly trickling upwards in terms of sales and popularity in the recent years with all the important players getting into the MPV segment. With cars like the Toyota Innova coming to India in a brand new avatar and the likes of BMW bringing an affordable luxury MPV to India too, 2016 might see even more progress in terms of this segment’s popularity. Here then is a look at all the MPVs that will make their way to India in 2016.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R MPV

Expected price: Under Rs 5 lakh

Expected launch time: MId 2016

Maruti will launch a new form of Wagon R in India, one that will have seven seats and take the competition to the Datsun Go+. However, where the Go+ has completely failed to entice buyers with its lackluster appeal, the Wagon R MPV will capture more customers for Maruti. The Wagon R MPV will also possibly get the new diesel engine that comes in the Celerio and an AMT gearbox to add to the appeal of the car. Expect styling to still be boxy and similar to the Wagon R that we have today. Although the new Wagon R MPV will techinically have seven seats on paper, just like the Datsun Go+, expect the last row of seats to only be suitable for a dog or young children. The Wagon R MPV will be priced at Rs 4.5-5.5 lakhs and should be available in the market by Mid 2016.

New Toyota Innova

Expected price: Rs 15-20 lakh

Expected launch time: Early 2016

Although the Toyota Innova has gone through many smaller changes since the time it was launched nearly a decade ago, it has never been completely revamped as an all new MPV. This year though, Toyota will bring a new Innova with a new look, new interiors and even a new engine that will make it even more desirable than ever before. For starters, the new look will defiantly keep Innova buyers within the fold with a more aggressive, modern and current design. The new car will also feature a more luxurious interior with both seven and eight seater configurations and more gadgetry on the interior front. The new Innova will also come with both automatic and manual gearboxes as has been the demand from the Indian market for a long time and will also get a new updated engine that will make it more powerful yet more fuel efficient than before. Sadly, we expect prices to be even higher than they have ever been before with the range starting at Rs 15 lakh and going all the way post the Rs 20 lakh mark. Expect the car to make it to India in early 2016

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BMW 2 Series Active tourer

Expected price: Rs 20-50 lakh

Expected launch time: Mid 2016

For those looking at a car that offers snob value with a high end badge but still gives seven seats and does not cost the earth, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is spot on. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a culmination of many ‘firsts’ for BMW. The first tall-hatchback, the first 3-cylinder and the first BMW with front wheel drive, the 2 Series Active Tourer will most likely be one of the most important cars to come out of BMW’s stable next year from a sales perspective. The BMW 2 Series will most definitely make it to India soon to combat the rather popular Mercedes-Benz B-Class around mid 2016 with a price tag starting at Rs 25 lakh. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer will cater to young families looking for a luxurious, sporty and yet, practical approach to motoring. Although it has been almost two years since its global launch in March 2014, this luxury MUV will make it to India in 2016.

Tata Hexa

Expected price: Rs 15-20 lakh

Expected launch time: Early 2016

The Tata Hexa is the erstwhile replacement for the Tata Aria. With evolved looks that barely remind you of the Aria and an all new interior, the Hexa will be Tata’s attempt to take on the Innova with renewed vigor. The new Hexa will be powered with a 2.2-litre engine that will make 400Nm of torque and over 150PS of peak power and will come with both rear wheel drive and all wheel drive configurations. On the outside, the Tata Hexa gets an interesting design with blacked out B, C and D pillars and muscular wheel arches accommodating simple 19-inch alloy wheels. At the back, the Tata Hexa has a large rear bumper, with similar sump guard and integrated dual exhaust making it look quite European. The Hexa will also get LED tail lamps and DRL LED inbuilt into the headlamps. In terms of features the Hexa will get ESP, Ambient lighting, six airbags and auto headlamp and wiper.

Chevrolet Spin

Expected price: Rs 5-10 lakh

Expected launch time: Early 2016

The Chevrolet Spin MPV will be Chevry's newest offering in the MPV category alongside their existing product, the Enjoy. Expect the Spin to be priced quite well and to be well equipped with both petrol and diesel engines. The Spin will be priced between Rs 6.5-9 lakh in India. As far as the styling is concerned, the Spin MPV will share some of its design cues from the smaller Chevrolet Beat. In fact, it will even share the same platform as its hatchback sibling. On the inside too, the Spin MPV is pretty similar to the Beat hatchback with a dual-tone grey dashboard but unlike the Beat, this one gets a larger instrument cluster. in India it is expected to come with the 1.4-litre petrol unit that is also seen in the Enjoy. In this state of tune, the Spin will make 104PS and 131Nm. The Spin will also come with the Fiat sourced 1.3-litre diesel mill in the 90PS guise. Both these engines will come mated to a 5-speed transmission. The Spin will go up against the Honda Mobilio and the Maruti Ertiga.

Quanto Facelift

Expected price: Rs 5-10 lakh

Expected launch time: Mid 2016

The Mahindra Quanto despite being priced rather attractively has failed to move Indian audiences the way we expected it to primarily due to its exterior design. While the design does appeal to some, most think the Quanto in its current avatar looks quite ungainly. This is why Mahindra has been working to update the Quanto and its front end design to give it an all-new look and feel. As seen in the pictures, although heavily disguised, the new Quanto will gain a little more aggression and mass around its front end giving it a mini SUV type look rather than the curvy lines it has right now. The new Mahindra Quanto is expected to be launched in the first half of 2016 and will be priced similarly to how it is priced today.