Five new cars to be launched in India in May 2017

The first month of 2017 financial year saw the launch of Audi a3 facelift, Lamborghini Huracan Performante and Volvo S60 Polestar version.

While these cars cater to the premium segment, the month of May offers new cars in the sub-10 lakh category. Leading the table is the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire, the best-selling sedan in India. In its new avatar, the compact sedan is expected to flaunt a fresh design. Toyota will bring a special edition of its popular MPV, Innova Crysta, this month while Isuzu will launch MU-7's successor, MU-X this month. Volkswagen and Skoda also have SUVs ready for launch.

Here are all the details on May launches.

Toyota Innova Crysta Touring Sport

The Innova Crysta MPV has turned a year old in India and Toyota plans to celebrate it with the special edition, Touring Sport. The limited edition is set to enter market on May 4. The new car will be a pure cosmetic upgrade, just like the Innova Venturer edition sold in the Indonesian market.

The Touring Sport will have crossover-like cladding on the bumpers, wheel arches and side skirts. Other additions in the exterior include chrome inserts on the bumpers, grille and ORVMs. The design of the alloy wheels will be the same except for the  black colour treatment. The new variant of Innova Crysta is expected to be offered on the top-end ZX variant with six-seater configuration.

Touring Sport is likely to come only with 2.8-litre diesel engine, which can churn out 172bhp and 360Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The Touring Sport is expected to cost ₹ 70,000-80,000 over the regular ZX trim.

Isuzu MU-X

The MU-X will replace the current flagship MU-7 SUV of Isuzu, which was launched in India in 2012 when the company started its operations here. The launch of the MU-X has been confirmed for May 11 and it comes with a modern design over its dated predecessor. The face of the SUV features a twin-slat grill in chrome in line with the company's D-Max V-Cross pick-up. The new grille and projector headlamp cluster form a V-shaped front facia in the MU-X. The side profile and rear profile, especially the wrap-around rear windshield resemble Chevrolet Trailblazer.

The MU-X will draw power from a 3.0-litre common rail direct-injection engine that will develop 162 bhp of power and 360Nm of torque mated to five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Isuzu may offer MU-X in both 4x4 and 4x2 formats.

2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki has already unveiled 2017 Dzire with a whole new design in April. Market launch of the new model has been scheduled for May 16. The new version comes with rounded body panels with a flowing design in line with the new Swift unveiled in Japan last December. The new Dzire comes with a slightly longer wheelbase of 2,450 mm and it is now 20 mm wider and 40 mm shorter in height. The boot space has been increased by 60-litres and the vehicle is now lighter by 105 kilograms.

Built on the Heartect platform, new Dzire will carry over the tried and tested engines. The 85bhp 1.2-litre petrol and the 75bhp 1.3-litre diesel mills come mated to five-speed manual transmission. Both engines are also available now with Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) or AGS in Maruti speak, except the base trim.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen India has started the production of the Tiguan SUV at its Aurangabad facility in Maharashtra. Expected to be launched by May end, the Tiguan will go up against a host of SUVs such as Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner.

The second generation of the Tiguan is based on the MQB platform of the VW group. The India-spec Tiguan will be offered only in diesel engine. The mill will be 2.0-litre TDI engine developing 147bhp and paired to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The Tiguan is expected to be priced in the range of ₹ 25 to ₹30 lakh.

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda India will launch its flagship seven-seater SUV, the Kodiaq, soon. The model has also been enlisted in company website and dealerships have started accepting bookings. Expected to be priced from ₹25 lakh to ₹30 lakh, the Kodiaq will rival the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour in India.

Kodiaq comes with a precise and crisp body lines and a face similar to the current generation cars of Skoda. Expected to be offered in three trim levels – Active, Ambition and Style, the Kodiaq will flaunt Touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone automatic climate control, engine start/stop function, electric driver seat and more.

Globally, the Skoda Kodiaq gets a choice of five engines. The India-spec model is expected to get 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. The four-cylinder turbo-charged petrol mill is expected to produce 177hp of power and 320Nm of peak torque. The diesel mill will be available in two tunes- 147hp/340Nm and 187hp/ 400Nm. Both engines will be mated to a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission as standard and power will be transmitted to all four wheels.