Automobile is a branch of engineering that has brought drastic transformation in the history of humankind. Today, as the competition in every field is at its zenith, auto manufacturers too are not immune from this transformation. They are moulding their vehicles in line with the preferences of prospective customers. When we talk about India, which has one of the fastest growing auto industries of the world, preferences of the consumers are seen to be changing every 4–5 years.
Today, Indian car-buying youth are inclined towards SUVs and see the cars in the category as their next vehicle of choice. Reasons? These cars make a style statement, and when style is combined with a reasonable price tag, the brilliant combination is sure to lure the young. Maruti Vitara Brezza which was launched recently, is one such car.
Although the compact SUV segment has been really hot for quite some time, the advent of the Brezza has severely inconvenienced its rivals such as the Ford EcoSport and the TUV300, as is evident from the fact that within 48 hours of its official launch, the car has grabbed more than 5,600 bookings, forcing the Ford to drop the price of the EcoSport by a huge margin. However, the doors of challenge are still open and we would see some breathtaking vehicles taking this competition to a new high. So let’s roll down to read about the upcoming rivals of the Brezza and gauge for how long it is likely to relish its success in this segment.
Hyundai Carlino
The Korean automaker is known to give Maruti Suzuki tough competition in every segment. In recent times, Hyundai has gained an incredible response for its cars such as the Elite i20 and Creta, which have satisfied the masses with their stylish design and upscale quality for which the company is known. But the moment we talk about a ‘Maruti car’, one is sure to think of a similar Hyundai vehicle to draw a contrast between the two offerings. Hyundai might have started planning a sub-4 metre SUV before or instantly upon hearing about the Vitara Brezza, but we saw a glimpse of this intriguing approach at the 2016 Auto Expo when the carmaker first unveiled the Carlino Concept which was of course, a blueprint of the upcoming compact SUV.
The Concept model has certainly kept fellow carmakers on tenterhooks with its muscular looks. And as the Brezza has come along with an array of eye-catching features and specs, Hyundai will undoubtedly make this upcoming sub-4 metre product a unique combination of quality and performance. Hyundai might also debut its ISG (Intelligent Stop & Go) Blue Drive against Maruti’s SHVS technology. This would give the Korean automaker an upper hand against rivals since it would be a first-in-class feature and also a new beginning from the company in terms of fuel efficient/environment-friendly vehicles.
When it comes to the style, features and engines, one can rest assured since we are accustomed to Hyundai’s craftsmanship in all these areas. The new Carlino would get a 1.4-litre diesel and 1.2-litre petrol engines taken from the Elite i20 while, inside and out, we are sure there would be some new features to drag the Brezza’s customers to its side. As for the price, it is too early to predict anything, but we can expect the car to be competitively priced so that it gets a fair chance against the burgeoning competition.
Tata Nexon
There might be some reasons for Tata avoiding this segment for a long time, although it has a good presence in the Indian market. But, as we said earlier, more and more youngsters are leaning towards compact crossovers/SUVs, which makes it a great opportunity for carmakers to show their dexterity in the respective segments. The automaker has already demonstrated its production-spec Nexon compact SUV – along with its siblings Kite 5 and Zica – at the Auto Expo. Recent reports also suggest that the car will be launched ahead of the Kite 5 sedan this year.
With Tata’s new design language incorporating projector headlamps with LEDs, 16-inch alloys, ground clearance of 200mm that is ahead of the TUV300 and Brezza, and the price that is expected to undercut its rivals, Nexon is sure to give something special to first-time buyers. In terms of powertrains, Nexon will get 1.2-litre turbocharged Revotron and 1.5-litre Revotorq units that are brand-new engines, designed and developed in-house. The former would generates 100 PS, while the latter procures power output of 110 PS. We might also see the car coming with AMT gearbox, which is one of the technologies to have caught the fancy of comfort-seeking car buyers.
Feature wise, the Tata Nexon comes equipped with 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system designed by Harman, with smart like voice control and command recognition. We would also see similar aspects that we know the Tiago hatchback will come equipped with as well.
Datsun GO Cross
The 80-year-old brand revived by Nissan is leaving no stone unturned to make its presence felt in the Indian automotive industry. Two years ago, we saw the Japanese brand launching its first car in India in the form of the GO hatchback, followed by GO+, which is an MPV based on the same platform. The carmaker, though, has received a lukewarm response so far, but the possibilities are still open as Datsun is planning to go on the offensive with its GO Crossover.
The swanky concept caught the instant attention of the enthusiasts from around the world when it was first revealed at the Tokyo Auto Show 2015. Then the rendezvous with the Indian masses at the Auto Expo further solidified our belief that the car has the potential to fetch a fair share of the pie from the hot compact SUV/crossover segment. Talking about the design, Datsun GO Cross will be similar to the Concept version showcased at the motor shows, with aggressive front profile and stylish set of alloys and roof rails on the side. There is no information on the interiors, but we are likely to see modern-day cabin design with a whole lot of creature-comfort features.
As the Crossover is based on GO+ MPV, it is expected to incorporate the same 1.2-litre petrol unit. Datsun is known for pricing its products aptly; so, expect this new kid on the block to come at a starting price tag of around Rs. 6 lakh.
