Upcoming cars in 2016: Sedans, compact sedans from Tata Zica sedan (Sway) to BMW 7 Series

After a year that saw ups and downs, the automobile industry is gearing up for an array of new launches in 2016. Many companies have already laid out their launch plans for 2016. Even with the formation of new segments such as crossovers and mini SUVs, one traditional car segment, the sedan, will have several new entries. Some of them are new, some of them are thoroughly facelifted and another set comes with a nip and tuck. Here is the list of sedans and compact sedans expected in 2016.

Tata Zica sedan (Sway)

Tata Motors' biggest launch after Zica in 2016 will be its compact sedan sibling, expected in the second quarter of 2016. The compact sedan is expected to be named Sway, which Tata Motors has registered along with Zica. Tata Zica and Sway are based on the copiously tweaked Xo platform. The compact sedan likely to use the same powertrains of the Zica that include 1.2-litre three-cylinder DOHC aluminum motor and a 1.0-litre three-cylinder diesel engine. The Sway is expected to be unveiled at the Auto 2016 in February. Price expected: Rs 5-7 lakh.

Volkswagen compact sedan (Ameo/Bora)

Volkswagen India's new compact sedan tailored for India has confirmed its public unveiling at Auto Expo 2016. The sedan has been linked with the production names — Ameo and Bora. The company has invested Rs 720 crore in the development of the new model. When launched, the compact sedan will will be pitted against the likes of Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze, Tata Zest, Hyundai Xcent, and Ford Aspire. VW is likely to continue with the current Polo engines that include 1.2-litre MPI and TSI petrol engines and the 1.5-diesel unit. Price expected: Rs 5-7 lakh.

New Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai recently confirmed at least one new launch per year apart from the facelifts in India till 2020. The new Elantra will start that process in 2016. It will be showcased at the Auto Expo 2016. Hyundai India will manufacture the new sedan locally from its plant in Chennai, which will result in competitive pricing. The car will feature en evolution from the current fluidic design with more edgy finishes. New Elantra likely come with three engine options — a 1.6-litre VGT CRDi diesel, a 1.6-litre GDi petrol and a 2.0-litre MPi petrol. Price expected: Rs 13-17 lakh.

New Chevrolet Cruze

The new Chevrolet Cruze boasts a sleeker design than before. The sedan now features more flowing design and the face is highlighted with a dual port grille flanked by sweptback headlamps. The face of the sedan is inspired from the other sedans of the manufacturer such as the new Malibu, Impala and Volt, giving it a more aerodynamic appearance. The new Cruze is also 68mm longer and 25mm lower in height than the outgoing model. Out of many engines showcased, the India-spec model is expected to get 1.6-litre Ecotec diesel and the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol units. Price expected: Rs 18-22 lakh.

Honda Accord

Honda Car India has confirmed the relaunch of its luxury sedan Accord in the country in 2016. Ahead of the launch, the vehicle will be showcased at the upcoming Auto Expo. In its ninth generation, the Honda Accord will be offered in 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and 3.5-litre V6 engine options in the country. Both the options will be available with a five-speed automatic and manual transmission. 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 boast of 19-inch alloy wheel. Price expected: Rs 26-30 lakh.

New Skoda Superb

Czech automobile-manufacturer Skoda's flagship sedan in India, the Superb, will get a major facelift in early 2016. The new Superb will feature more angular body panels with less-rounded edges. The new car gets Bi-Xenon headlights with daytime running lights. The new car will be available with both petrol and diesel mills. The petrol engine is expected to be the 1.8-litre TSI unit that also does duty in the Skoda Octavia, while the diesel one will be a 2.0-litre TDI turbocharged engine. The engine will be mated to six-speed manual transmission and seven-speed DSG transmission. Price expected: Rs 27.5-31 lakh.

Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen India will re-introduce the Passat in India which is expected in the first half of 2016. The Passat will comeback in its much improved 8th generation and the design of the exterior has undergone major surgery. The design is more European now and the insides are much better appointed with latest technology and connectivity feature. To keep prices low, VW might increase localization levels. The Passat is expected with 2.0-litre TDI engine mated to a DSG transmission. Price expected: Rs 32-35 lakh.

New Audi A4

Audi India is expected to launch the updated A4 sedan in mid-2016. The front of the car sports a new single frame grille along with optional headlights in LED. The new A4 is bigger, while the weight has down by 120kg. The sedan will be feature packed with infotainment system MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch and an 8.3-inch MMI monitor. The engine options will be four-cylinder TFSI petrol and TDI diesel and the six-cylinder TDI diesel. These engines will be mated to three transmission options — six-speed manual transmission, seven-speed S-tronic and eight-speed tiptronic. Price expected: Rs 35-45 lakh.

Jaguar XE

Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly gearing up for the launch of the XE sedan in Auto Expo 2016. Jaguar XE boasts of a first-in-class all-aluminium chassis, which makes it lighter. The car will be available in four-cylinder Ingenium engines, both petrol and diesel. The 2.0-litre diesel producing 161bhp and 380Nm of peak torque claims an impressive fuel efficiency of 27.61 kmpl. The petrol unit is expected to be a V6 unit that develops 355bhp and 450Nm of torque. The power will be sent to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual, or a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox. The XE will be the most affordable Jaguar product in India, with an estimated price of around Rs 40 lakh.

Jaguar XF

The second generation of BMW 5-Series competitor, the Jaguar XF is expected enter in Indian market late 2016. The XF is based on the based on the new aluminium-intensive iQ platform that also underpins the XE and the F-Pace SUV. The XF is sold in the international market with 2.0-litre Ingenium four-cylinder diesel engine in two state of tunes- 163bhp and 180bhp. The top of the line 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel develops 300bhp and 700Nm of torque. The entire engine will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission in India. Price expected: Rs 55-70 lakh.

Volvo S90

Volvo is in the pursuit of shedding the tag of not-so-good-looking-carmaker and the ageing S80 sedan will be replaced by the newly unveiled S90 sedan In India. The new sedan comes with Volvo's signature design bits such as the Thor's Hammer inspired signature LED headlight which is first seen in the XC9O SUV. Volvo has indicated that the new S90 will be available with three engine options — T5, T6, and T8. The company also informed a clean and powerful T8 twin engine plug-in hybrid powertrain and one of the most luxurious interiors along with the connected infotainment systems in the S90. The flagship sedan is also based on the Scalable Product Architecture as the XC90. Price expected: Rs 70 lakh.

New BMW 7 Series

BMW's flagship sedan in its latest avatar is expected to be launched at the Auto Expo 2016. The new front facia sports signature kidney grille by standard LED head-lamps or optional laser head-lamps. The trail lamps have also undergone design change and feature in L-shape. In India, the company will continue to sell in long-wheelbase version. The interior is spruced up with touch sensitive controls and a new iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen and gesture control technology. The new 7 Series will be powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that develops 445bhp and 3.0-litre twin-turbo 6-cylinder petrol engine with 320bhp. The diesel option would be 3.0-litre twin-turbo 6-cylinder diesel engine that produces 259bhp. Price expected- Rs 95 lakh to Rs 1.1 crore.