The demand for mid-sized sedans and compact sedans have been continuously on decline in India. SUVs are in demand, and every automaker is working on their respective models for our market. Despite rising demand for SUVs, few brands believe that sedan segment still holds a significance among the car buyers in India. In this article, we talk about the upcoming mid-sized sedans to be launched in our market in the next 12 months –
HONDA CITY HYBRID
Japanese automaker, Honda has officially announced to launch a strong hybrid model in the Indian market in 2021. The new models will be the City Hybrid, which is already on sale in the select international markets. To be positioned above the regular model, the new City Hybrid is likely to cost around Rs 15 – Rs 18 lakh.
It will be powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine paired with two electric motors. This petrol engine produces 97bhp of power and 127Nm of torque. One electric motor will be coupled to the petrol engine and work as ISG (Integrated Starter Generator). The other one will deliver power to the front wheels via a single, fixed-ratio gearbox. Its power and torque output stand at 108bhp and 253Nm respectively.
SKODA SLAVIA
Czech automaker, Skoda will introduce a new mid-sized sedan, codenamed ANB towards the end of 2021. The new model will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB AO IN platform, which also underpins the Taigun mid-sized SUV. Rumoured to be called the Skoda Slavia, the new sedan will be positioned above the Rapid sedan. It will directly rival the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.
The new Skoda Slavia will be powered by a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 113bhp and 175Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6MT & a 6-speed torque convertor automatic. The top-spec model will get the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that is good for 147bhp and 250Nm of torque. It will be coupled to a 7-speed DSG.
VOLKSWAGEN VIRTUS
German automaker, Volkswagen will launch an all-new mid-sized sedan in the first quarter of 2021. To be based on the Virtus sedan on sale in global markets, the new sedan will be positioned against the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. The India-spec model will be built on the MQB AO IN platform, which also underpins the VW Taigun. It will share the engine options with the Taigun – a 113bhp, 1.0L Turbo petrol and a 147bhp, 1.5L turbo-petrol. Transmission choices will include a 6MT, 6AT (1.0L Petrol) and a 7-speed DSG (1.5L Petrol).
TOYOTA BELTA
Toyota will introduce the re-badged Ciaz sedan in the Indian market in 2021. The sedan will come as a replacement for the recently discontinued Yaris sedan. Rumoured to be called the Toyota Belta, the new mid-sized sedan will rival the Hyundai Verna and the Honda City. The sedan won’t receive major changes, except for the Toyota logo and the new alloy wheels. It will be powered by the same 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that produces 104bhp of maximum power and 138Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed torque convertor automatic.