New Cars for 2015: MPVs

New Toyota Innova

Expected launch: End 2015

Expected Price: Rs 10-15 lakh

The current generation Toyota Innova will soon be replaced by a newer better looking and more refined version. The 2015 Toyota Innova will get significant design changes and will sport a more robust taller and flatter front design. The 2016 Innova will now feature a new set of bumper and grille, but more importantly the new version will sport LED Day Time Running Lights (DRL) and can also get projector headlamps, as seen on the new Toyota Corolla Altis.

We can expect improved cabin design with more premium features and materials. These will include a redesigned dashboard and even a touch-screen centre. The 2016 Toyota Innova will continue to offer comfort of being a seven-seater, which is one of the major reason for the popularity of the car. The new 2016 Toyota Innova will continue to be based on the ladder-and-frame chassis and might even continue to be powered by the same engine options.

Facelifted Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs 6-9 lakh

The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has been with us for about two years now and has been a good product both in terms of sales and in terms of providing what it is meant to do. As a seven seater MPV from Maruti, it has seen many prospective Toyota Innova customers opting for it instead. 2015 will see the first facelift for the Ertiga coming in the form of new headlamps, tail lamps and new bumpers.

We also expect to see a new interior design and new colors for both the dashboard and the seats. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga will continue to be powered by the same 1.4-litre petrol engine that makes 100PS and 1.3-litre diesel engine that makes 90PS of peak power. The Ertiga facelift is expected to make its debut sometime mid 2015 and will be priced similar to the outgoing model.

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Datsun Go+

Expected Launch: Early 2015

Expected Price: Rs 4 Lakh

Datsun’s second car in India, the Go+ compact MPV will create an all new segment and will make a dent in the entry level hatchback segment too. The new Go+ will come with seven seats, although the last row is best left to children or your family dogs.

The Go+ comes with the same 1.2-litre three cylinder engine that makes 68PS and 105Nm of peak torque. The Go+ will also be priced extremely competitively with prices starting as low as Rs 3.5 lakhs and the top of the line T version available for about Rs 4.5 lakh. The Datsun Go+ with its station wagon styling is sure to do well in the Indian market.

Hyundai MPV

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs 7-8 Lakh

Hyundai’s MPV was on our Cars for 2013 and Cars for 2014 list too but sadly hasn’t made it to India yet. However, the Hyundai’s new MPV is expected to make it to Indian during the second half of 2015 continuing Hyundai’s product offensive. Based on the Hexa Space Concept, code named the HND-7 that caught many eyeballs at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo, Hyundai’s new MPV is said to be in final stages of development and testing.

Although no information is known about the upcoming MPV, the car will be have a seven seat configuration. The MPV will also be offered with both Petrol and Diesel power train options and will also be available in both manual and automatic gearbox options. It is unclear if the Hyundai MPV will be under 4 meters, however we do expect a range topping version to have some of the mechanicals from cars like the Hyundai Verna too.

Renault Lodgy

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs 6-9 lakh

Renault has tasted success with the Duster and is now all set to enter the MPV sector with its Lodgy MUV. With plans to bring out the Lodgy MPV by mid 2015 and price it competitively to go up against the likes of the upcoming Hyundai MPV. Mechanically, the Lodgy will share it’s engine offerings with the Renault Duster. Expect the Lodgy to be available in both Petrol and two Diesel engine options. The Lodgy will also share most of the Duster’s interior trim like dashboard and seats so as to minimize costs.

The Lodgy, originally marketed as a Dacia in certain European markets, is a 7-seater MPV with similar underpinnings to the likes of the Renault Duster. Codenamed the J92, the Lodgy will be a key MPV to take on the established contenders like the Toyota Innova and the Mahindra Xylo. The Lodgy should be about 4500mm long and feature ample amounts of interior space for both passengers and luggage. 

Force Motors new MPV

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs 8-12 Lakh

Force Motors has forever been associated with Mercedes-Benz. Even its best-known product, the Traveller, is an old Mercedes. Moreover the engines powering most Force vehicles are made under license from the German giant. Now on its way is another such product, this time in an MPV guise. The company is soon going to launch a version of the Viano which will be re-engineered for India at a much cheaper cost. While most of the Viano’s looks will remain the same, it will be rebadged and renamed as a Force Motors product. 

Expect Force to offer it in multiple variants and with multiple seating configurations, quite possibly with one configuration that will allow the van to accommodate upto ten occupants. Powering Force’s version of the Viano will be the same 2.2-litre common rail engine seen in the Force One SUV.