New car launches in January 2021

Many carmakers are set to hit the ground running in 2021 as a number of new launches have been lined up for January itself. With the New Year just around the corner, we have put together a list of all the new cars and SUVs that are slated to launch in January 2021.

Audi A4 facelift

 

Audi has been steadily bolstering its India line-up with new models and for 2021, its first launch will be the Audi A4 facelift. The German carmaker has already made it available for booking on the Audi India website and dealerships across the country.

Once launched, the A4 facelift will be offered with a sole 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Power will be sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The 2021 A4‘s styling, both inside and out, will be in line with latest A4 on sale in international markets.

It is worth mentioning that this will be the second facelift for the A4 in India. The model also received an update in late 2019, which was then discontinued due to the implementation of the new emission norms earlier this year.

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine

 

In essence, the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine is a long-wheelbase version of the sedan and will be looked at as the replacement for the previously available 3 Series Gran Turismo. BMW will launch the 3 Series Gran Limousine on January 21, 2021. This will also mean that India is going to be the first right-hand drive market to get the long-wheelbase version of the 3 Series.

At 2,961mm, the new Gran Limousine’s wheelbase will be 110mm longer than the standard model. Engine options will likely include a 258hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit, same as in the standard 3 Series. The features list too, is likely to be the same as the regular 3 Series. However, expect prices to be higher than the current 3 Series. 

Jeep Compass facelift

 

The Jeep Compass will also receive a facelift (similar to the one it recently received in international markets) that will feature a refreshed front-end with revised headlights and integrated LED DRLs, a re-worked seven-slat grille with honeycomb-like inserts and a new front bumper. The Compass facelift will also sport a new alloy wheel design. The interiors of the facelifted Compass will receive significant updates with a restyled dashboard equipped with a new freestanding 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the centre and new AC vents and HVAC controls that are positioned below it.

Under the hood though, the facelift will come with the same 173hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and 163hp, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine as the outgoing model. Gearbox options will also stay unaltered.

MG Hector facelift, Hector Plus 7-seater

The MG Hector facelift will be launched in India in January. MG will leave the mechanicals as they are, meaning the 143hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and turbo-petrol mild-hybrid, and 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engines will be carried forward.

What will be new is the exterior design, specifically, the front grille and new five-spoke alloy wheels – the wheels will be larger 18-inch ones unlike the current model’s 17-inch wheels. The interior will be updated with a new dual-tone interior theme and some added equipment too.

Along with a facelift for the entire Hector line-up, MG will add a new seven-seat variant to the Hector Plus range. While the three-row Hector Plus was launched earlier this year with a six-seat layout comprising of captain-seats in the middle row, the seven-seat version will feature a bench-style seat in the second row.

Tata Altroz Turbo

 

Tata’s first premium hatchback, the Altroz, will soon receive a new turbo-petrol engine option. Sources tell us that prices for the Altroz Turbo will be announced on January 13, 2020. While the engine in question will be the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged unit from the Nexon, in the Altroz, it will be tuned down slightly to produce 110hp and 140Nm. Initially, Tata will offer the engine with a 5-speed manual, but as we have previously reported, a DCT automatic gearbox will join the range, at a later date. 

Apart from the updated mechanicals, Tata is not expected to change much in way of styling or the equipment list.

Tata Gravitas

 

The Tata Gravitas – essentially as seven-seat derivative of the Harrier – is going to be the Indian carmaker’s new flagship SUV. First unveiled at the Auto Expo 2020 almost a year ago, the Gravitas shares its platform with the Harrier but will be 63mm longer and 80mm taller to better accommodate the added row of seats. However, its wheelbase will remain unchanged.

The Gravitas’ styling will also differ from the Harrier’s, especially around back where its longer overhangs and stepped roof (to accommodate the extra seats) will stand out. Under the hood, it will use the same 170hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine as the Harrier, and get the same 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options.

Toyota Fortuner facelift

 

The Toyota Fortuner received a facelift in international markets earlier this year, which brought with it updated exterior design and more equipment. Toyota will now bring the facelifted Fortuner to our market, similar to how it brought the Innova Crysta facelift (that is to say with minimal changes compared to the international model). The model will see an India launch on January 6, 2021.

The main updates will be the more powerful 2.8-litre diesel engine and the redesigned LED headlights that incorporate LED DRLs, a larger mesh-pattern grille, reshaped front bumper and a new design for the 18-inch alloy wheels. At the back, the big change will be the new, slimmer-looking LED tail-lights. The interior will also remain predominantly unchanged in layout, with the most noteworthy update being the larger touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.