As the festive is around the corner, most of the car-makers in India are stepping up efforts to launch new models. The compact SUV and SUV space witnessed a sudden growth in the past couple of months. However, traditional vehicle types, such as sedans, also have many takers. The sedan segment is one of the large segments in India with prices starting from around Rs. 4 lakh to over Rs. 3 crore. We have compiled a list of sedans and compact sedans that will enter the Indian market this year.
The compact sedan sibling of the Tiago hatchback has been codenamed Kite 5. The Kite 5, which was showcased at the Auto Expo 2016, is set to mark an entry during this festive season. The car measures 3,995mm in length, 1,647mm in width and 1,535mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,450mm. It embodies Tata's new design language Impact. The Kite 5 will be offered in 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol and 1.05-litre three-cylinder diesel motors borrowed from the Tiago. The sedan will go up against Maruti Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze, Volkswagen Ameo and Ford Figo Aspire in India.
Hyundai Elantra
Unveiled in Korea in September 2015, new Hyundai Elantra will enter the Indian market this festive season. In the latest avatar, the new Elantra would get a hexagonal grille flanked by a pair of swept-back headlamps. The body features prominent character lines and wide LED taillights at the rear. The design takes slight detour from the Fluidic design language of Hyundai. To be offered in both petrol and diesel engine options, the Elantra is likely to get three engines â€" a 1.6-litre VGT CRDi diesel motor, a 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine and a 2.0-litre MPi petrol engine. Expected price for the sedan is in the range of Rs. 13 lakh to Rs. 17 lakh. In India, the new Elantra will rival Toyota Corolla Altis, Volkswagen Jetta, Skoda Octavia and Chevrolet Cruze.
Volvo S90
Swedish car-maker Volvo is all set to launch the S90 sedan, which will replace the ageing S80 sedan in the company's Indian product portfolio. The base variant of the S90 may reportedly cost Rs. 57 lakh, ex-showroom, and the company has started accepting bookings. The face of the sedan gets a square-shaped grille with many vertical slats. It is flanked by the Thor's Hammer inspired signature LED headlight. The rear of the car gets an all-new design in which the C -shaped tail-lamps stand out. The sedan will be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine that develops 188bhp in D4 trim initially. A D5 engine with all-wheel drive will join the range later.
Honda Accord
Honda's premium sedan Accord is re-entering India this year after a short hiatus. The ninth generation of Honda Accord will be offered in either a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine or 3.5-litre V6 engine options in the country. Emerging reports also indicate that Honda is mulling over bringing hybrid powertrain in India spec Accord. The sedan comes with a newly-designed front end that includes new headlight and grille. The taillight clusters comes with LED tech and the car boasts of 19-inch alloy wheel. When launched, the Accord will rival Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb and the upcoming Volkswagen Passat.
Fiat Linea 125s
Fiat India is gearing up for the launch of the Linea 125s, the more powerful version of the mid-sized sedan which was unveiled at the Auto Expo 2016. The 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet petrol engine that develops 112bhp in regular Linea will develop 123bhp in the Linea 125s. Visually the Linea 125s features black stripes across the grille and air dam, and a blacked-out roof. The 125s badging is also placed at the boot lid. The sedan comes with a host of features like 5-inch touchscreen system with audio navigation, soft touch instrument panel, cruise control, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD, passenger and side airbags, and 16-inch alloys.
Skoda Rapid facelift
Skoda has been testing the new facelift avatar of the Rapid for a while now in India. The new Rapid is expected to boast changes like new fog lights, projector head lamps and new front grille. On the interior, it is expected to get new dual-tone seat fabrics and upgraded infotainment system with Mirrorlink. Mechanically, the Rapid facelift is expected to remain unchanged. As for pricing, expect the Rapid in its new avatar to be priced at about Rs. 8.3 lakh.
Audi A4 facelift
German luxury car-maker Audi unveiled new A4 sedan at the Auto Expo 2016. The new A4, which made its global debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, will arrive in India this festive season. In the latest avatar, the A4 gets more angular design and it features a wider single frame front grille. Redesigned front lamps will now be offered with Matrix LED lights as option. Audi virtual cockpit with 12.3-inch LCD screen, head-up display, MMI Navigation plus infotainment and Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System with 19 speakers can be expected in the luxury sedan. The new A4 will be offered in India with a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine.