New car launches in April 2018

A lot of carmakers took the biennial stage of the 2018 Auto Expo to either showcase their cars or launch them. Now, a couple of months after the event, few of the carmakers who were present at the Expo and a few others who missed it, will be launching their cars in the days to come. So here are the five cars which we expect to be launched in the Indian market in the month of April. 

BMW X3

BMW showcased the third-gen X3 at the Expo stage just months after its public debut at Frankfurt last September. The all-new X3 moves to a new platform and carries an evolutionary styling, grows in dimension and is more practical than before. Even with the new generation, the X3 remains unmistakably a BMW inside out. Under the hood is a range of diesel and petrol powertrains carried forward from the older car. When it takes the CKD route, the new X3 will be offered with diesel engine options and the xDrive 20i trim in India. BMW might price the new X3 at around Rs 50 lakhs.

Mahindra XUV500 

Mahindra is preparing a major update for the XUV500. This is the second cosmetic upgrade for the Mahindra SUV since its introduction after the last facelift in 2015. The facelift adds new fascia with chrome and mesh grille and completely redesigned triangular taillights along with revised powertrain and added features. Expect the refreshed cabin to get added features and comfort levels compared to the current car. The revised 2.2-litre powertrain is expected to get a boost in power outputs as well. Prices are expected to be slightly higher compared to the current one. 

Ford Freestyle

Ford showcased the new compact utility vehicle christened as Freestyle in January. The cross-hatch version of the Figo receives an all-new petrol engine from the Dragon family. It is a global product, developed in India. On the styling aspect, there is body cladding all around with roof rails, bash plate and new grille which will make its way to Figo facelift as well. The new 1.2-litre three-pot NA petrol engine puts out 95bhp and 120Nm. The diesel is the same 1.5-litre TDCi producing 99bhp and 210Nm offered elsewhere. The cabin is new akin to the new EcoSport. When launched in April, the Freestyle will be positioned below the EcoSport as the entry-level UV. Prices are expected to be on par with its rivals like the Hyundai i20 Active, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross and Honda WR-V.

Tata Nexon AMT

Tata also showcased the Nexon’s AMT version at the Expo stage. The automatic crossover will be introduced in the XZ variant and will fill the space between the XZ+ and XT variant. Compared to the top-spec XZ+, the new Nexon XZ AMT will miss out on LED DRL, fog lamps, alloy wheels, rear defogger, armrests, button start and dual tone paint scheme. The motor will be the same 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel. The XZ variant is likely to be priced Rs 50,000 lesser than the equivalent XZ+ variant.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain

Mercedes-Benz is taking an adventurous route with its portfolio with the introduction of the new E-Class All-Terrain. The practical station wagon body-style is combined with the spirit of off-roading capabilities with the All-Terrain. The rugged body cladding adds presence to the estate and combined with the luxurious cabin of an executive sedan, it is difficult to find a flaw in the new E-Class All-Terrain. In the E350d 4MATIC guise, power comes from a 3.0-litre motor making 258bhp and 620Nm with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Expect the new E-Terrain to be launched in a price range of around Rs 70-75 lakhs.