The year 2022 has been action-packed for the auto industry with a ton of launches that have taken place and multiple new 4-wheeler, as well as 2-wheeler manufacturers, have entered other markets or expanded their product portfolio into newer segments or even converted their vehicles from running on fossil-fuel to becoming electrically powered. Although do not be under the impression that the action is over because there’s more to happen as many vehicles from various brands & segments are yet to be launched in these remaining 2 months of the year. Here’s a brief look at 9 such launches/unveils that are headed our way soon.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep is all set to launch its fourth locally assembled model for India, the brand’s flagship 5-seat SUV -the Grand Cherokee which is in its 5th generation on the 11th of November. We expect the American SUV to come equipped with ADAS features and a host of touchscreens. To be priced around the 85-90 lakh mark, deliveries will commence by early December in select cities.
Toyota Innova Hycross
The Toyota Innova Hycross is set to be unveiled in India soon after its global debut in Indonesia as the Innova Zenix. Going by the leaked images and teasers, the MPV’s refreshed front look appears in line with the brand’s international design language. The Innova Hycross will have much fewer similarities to its sibling, the Crysta as the Hycross will be a FWD, monocoque SUV that will no longer come with any diesel engine option. It is expected to be powered by NA-petrol and strong hybrid petrol powertrains. The Hycross will also feature a panoramic sunroof.
BYD Atto 3
The BYD Atto 3 is the second model from the Chinese automaker in India for which bookings have started for a token amount of Rs. 50k but the actual price of the electric SUV will be disclosed on its launch by the month of December. The Atto 3 comes with a permanent magnet synchronous motor that makes around 150 kW or 201 bhp and develops 310 Nm of peak torque with a 60.48kWh battery pack, clocking an ARAI-claimed range of 521km. The deliveries are expected to commence by early 2023.
MG Hector facelift
The MG Hector is due for its facelift which will mainly focus on cosmetic updates and revisions to the 5-seat SUV’s interior, front grille along with its bumpers. The main highlights of this update will be a new 14-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment and the inclusion of ADAS tech to the car. The facelift is expected to be sold alongside the current model and will arrive by November-end.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Hyundai had confirmed that it will launch its flagship model, the Ioniq 5 by the year-end in India as part of its electrification strategy. The E-GMP based EV crossover has been spotted testing quite a few times on our roads and it is expected to be locally assembled by Hyundai to keep its price competitive.
Force Gurkha 5-door
Force Motors will be the first to the 5-door 4×4 SUV race as it gears up for the launch of the 5-door iteration of its rugged off-road beast -the Gurkha that has been spotted multiple times parked at dealership yards without any camouflage. The 5-door model’s price will be more than the current SUV that retails at Rs 14.75 lakh (ex-showroom). The rear is more or less similar to the 3-door Gurkha with the sideways opening tailgate and tailgate-mounted spare wheel & even the interior of the 5-door Gurkha will be similar.
