With several marquee names debuting in March, the global auto industry is set for an eventful month.
Nine of them are new car launches and three are global car unveilings.
SKODA SLAVIA
It is powered by 1.0L TSI and 1.5L TSI petrol engines in India, replacing the Rapid sedan.
Prices for the former will be announced on 28th February and for the latter on 3rd March.
The MQB A0 IN platform will be offered in Active, Ambition, and Style trim levels.
The majority of its features are derived from the Kushaq SUV.
MERCEDES-MAYBACH S-CLASS
On 3rd March, prices will be announced.
S580 and S680 will be the two variants available.
In the former, a 4.0L V8 engine produces 503 bhp while in the latter, a 6.0L V12 engine produces 612 bhp.
Automatic transmissions will be standard across the entire lineup.
LEXUS NX 350H
On 9th March, Lexus will introduce a new generation NX 350h in India.
It gets significant exterior and interior updates and a new 300h appearance.
The car is powered by a 2.5L Atkinson petrol cycle engine with 192 horsepower.
The SUV delivers combined power of 244bhp thanks to its AWD system.
Two electric motors are fitted to the front and rear axles of the engine.
MARUTI ERTIGA FACELIFT
It’s reported to launch next month, although the official date hasn’t been announced yet.
The MPV will likely feature a newly-designed grille and color schemes and few updates inside the cabin.
It retains the 105bhp, 1.5L engine with a manual and a new 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox.
BMW X4 FACELIFT
It arrives in India next month and bookings are open for the amount of Rs 50,000.
The SUV will get a limited ‘Black Shadow Edition’ getting a special black treatment.
Other new features include new bumpers, larger kidney grille, new LED headlamps and slim LED tail lights.
It is powered by the same petrol and diesel engines that power the new X3.
MG ZS EV FACELIFT
It’s arriving in March.
It gets the most significant upgrade to its powertrain- a bigger 51kWh battery pack offering a range of 480km on a single charge.
Presently it’s available with a 44.5kWh battery pack delivering a range of 419km.
JEEP COMPASS TRAILHAWK FACELIFT
Jeep will launch an off-road-oriented version of the Compass SUV in March.
Its approach and departure angles are improved by its differently designed front and rear bumpers.
New alloy wheels and a better 4WD system are also included.
The powertrain will come with the same 2.0L diesel engine that produces 170 bhp paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
TOYOTA GLANZA FACELIFT
The new version will arrive in March with extensive design and feature upgrades.
The new model’s bumpers are slightly tweaked, and its headlamps are redesigned.
It is powered by a 90bhp, 1.2L non-hybrid petrol motor with manual and automatic transmissions.
TOYOTA HILUX
The vehicle is built on the IMV-2 platform and will be available in two trim levels – Standard and High.
The vehicle is powered by a 2.8L, 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 204 horsepower.
Transmission options include a six-speed manual and a torque converter automatic transmission.
It gets a 4WD system as standard.
NEW FORD ENDEAVOUR
The new-generation Ford Everest (aka Ford Endeavour) will be unveiled on 1st March.
Globally it will be offered with three engines –
- 2.0L twin-turbo diesel (210bhp/500Nm)
- 3.0L turbo diesel (250bhp/600Nm)
- 2.3L turbo petrol (270bhp/680Nm)
The new Endeavour model lineup will include a new off-road focused Wildtrack X variant.
VOLKSWAGEN VIRTUS
The mid-size sedan will make its world debut on 8th March, launching in May.
It shares its platform, features and engines with the soon-to-be-launched Skoda Slavia albeit with visual differences.
It will come with 1.0L TSI and 1.5L TSI petrol engines and three gearbox options – 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT and 7-speed DSG AT.
TESLA CYBERTRUCK
This will make its global debut in March.
It will likely be showcased in smaller and bigger versions that will be significantly different from the concept.
The electric pickup truck will come with three powertrain options – one, two and three electric motors.
Its top-spec tri-motor ‘Plaid’ EV powertrain is claimed to deliver a range of 500 mile and accelerate 0 to 60mph in 2.9 seconds.
The range-topping version will have a towing capacity of 650kg.