While there will be many new concepts amidst some surprise announcements at the Auto Expo 2018, some showstoppers will arrive as confirmed. And since we’re always after butch looks once we manage to get past our love for all things two-wheeled, here are the Top 5 SUVs which will steal the show at the event next week.
Tata H5
Tata Motors has managed to attract a lot of attention and eyeballs already, by releasing teaser images of their fantastic new H5 SUV. Following the manufacturer’s new Impact Design 2.0 philosophy, the all-new Tata H5 is a bold new step for the homegrown car maker. Based on Land Rover’s L550 platform, a 5-seater version of the new SUV will take on the likes of the Creta, while a 7-seater version will go head-to-head against all things like the Compass and Mahindra’s upcoming flagship SUV. Production variants of the Tata H5 will be powered by the Fiat sourced 2.0-litre Multijet II motor which also powers the Jeep Compass. For the 5-seater and 7-seater variants, the motor will be tuned to deliver near about 140 hp and 170 hp respectively.
Maruti Suzuki Concept Future S
Maruti Suzuki will reveal an all-new compact car design language in the form of Concept Future S at the 2018 Auto Expo. Aimed to be a uniquely styled compact car that has a bold presence with its distinct SUV like characters, it will be targeted to delight customers in the compact car space. The Concept Future S breaks away from the conventional proportions of a compact car and will be an attempt by the market leader to re-define the compact car design language in India.
Explaining the idea behind the Concept Future S, CV Raman, Senior Executive Director (Engineering), Maruti Suzuki India Limited said that the increasing preference for UVs and their bold architecture inspired the design team to study a new character for compact cars. According to him, the Concept Future S could mark a distinctive shift in how compact cars are shaped and designed in India in the future.
Mahindra Stinger
Mahindra will display a swanky new convertible SUV at the Expo. Although a concept, Mahindra will gather feedback and take a decision on whether to put the car into production or not. The new drop-top SUV concept will be more of an exercise in design which could bear production fruits in the future. Although details are scarce, the new Mahindra convertible SUV could be based on the TUV300 platform. However, that could change if a production-spec model hits dealerships in the future.
What will be displayed in a production form is a new flagship Mahindra SUV. A rebadged Ssangyong Rexton, they could call it the XUV 700. Click here to know more about their new high-end, luxurious SUV.
Hyundai Kona
Unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2017, the modern looking Hyundai Kona compact SUV will be one of the Stars at the Hyundai Pavilion. An urban-oriented compact SUV, it fits the needs of customers who have an active lifestyle. Hyundai claims that with the Kona, it will set new standards for the compact SUV segment, with appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading safety features.
Kia SP SUV Concept
Kia Motors has already issued a teaser image of its SP SUV Concept for India, meant to make its global debut at the 2018 Auto Expo. A sister concern of Hyundai Motor Company, Kia will make its India debut at the upcoming event. The Kia SP Concept has been designed with a clear intent to introduce a bespoke product for the reasonably priced SUV segment. The company will also detail its plan for the Indian market with a showcase of 16 global products at the auto show.
While no official details about the new SUV are available at this point in time, in terms of size and positioning, the Kia SP will likely be placed alongside the Hyundai Creta. In what can be deciphered through the teaser images, the new SUV isn’t too large in size and will be a five-seater. Expect the SP to hit the Indian showroom in 2019.