While there are quite a few new sedans coming our way, the hatchback segment will see very few additions.
This year had its fair share of sedan launches, with examples like the Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Virtus and the Honda City hybrid. But with 2023 just around the corner, a slew of new sedans are set to be launched over the next year, ranging from high-end luxury ones like the BMW 7 Series to more affordable ones like the Hyundai Verna and Aura. Here is a list of all the upcoming models.
New BMW 7 Series
The latest generation of BMW’s flagship sedan has some bold exterior styling, driven by customer feedback from China and Japan. BMW has removed the double-barrel headlamps and opted for a more modern split headlamp design with an oversized iteration of its trademark kidney grilles.
However, despite the radical exterior, it’s the interior that stands out in the new 7 Series. The dashboard features a full-width light band that sits below the 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch instrument display. Back seat passengers will also get a huge 31.3-inch, 8k ‘cinema’ screen option that folds down from the roof and offers video streaming services. Both rear passengers also get a 5.5-inch touchscreen in the doors that not only control the infotainment system but also the climate control, seats etc.
India will get the 299hp, 3.0-litre diesel (730d), the 380hp, 3.0-litre petrol (740i) and 543hp, 4.4-litre V8 petrol (M760i). All of these get a 48V mild hybrid tech and all-wheel drive as standard. A pure electric version – the i7 – will also be launched alongside. Notably, all variants will come with the extended wheelbase as standard.
Coming: Early-2023
Engines: 3.0-litre P, 4.4-litre P, 3.0-litre D
Expected price: Rs 55 lakh-1.5 crore
Hyundai Aura sedan facelift
Hyundai is expected to revamp its compact sedan, the Aura. The outgoing model recently lost its diesel powertrain, so expect the new one to carry on with petrol, turbo-petrol as well as CNG powertrains. The facelift may incorporate Hyundai’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language, and is likely to get similar design updates like the Grand i10 Nios, on which it is based.
Coming: Late 2023
Engines: 1.2-litre P, 1.0-litre P
Expected price: Rs 6.5 lakh-9.5 lakh
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios hatchback facelift
Like its compact sedan sibling, the Aura, the Grand i10 Nios is expected to get a facelift soon. It will likely come with the existing 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 83hp and 114Nm of torque, and the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, which churns out 100hp and 172Nm of torque. It will also get the CNG powertrain with a 1.2-litre engine producing 69hp and 95.2Nm.
Featuring Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, the new Grand i10’s boomerang-shaped LED DRLs will now be placed towards the edges of the bumper rather than on the grille. It may get a new design for its alloy wheels and the fog lamp housing in the front bumper. It could also feature a new upholstery and interior theme. Once launched, its only direct rival will be the Maruti Suzuki Swift.
Coming: Mid 2023
Engines: 1.2 P, 1.0 P
Expected Price: Rs 6 lakh-9 lakh
New Hyundai Verna
The next generation of the Verna, codenamed BN7, will follow Hyundai’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language and could feature a split headlamp design. The Verna will get the existing petrol engine, with the diesel being dropped due to the upcoming RDE norms. It could also get mild-hybrid technology with automatic start/stop and regeneration features along with the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine from the Creta since rivals Slavia and Virtus also get turbo petrol engines – 1.5-litre. The Verna will also get Hyundai’s ADAS tech – the first car in the midsize segment – from the Tucson. It will also be significantly larger the before, which will help with space at the rear.
Coming: April 2023
Engines: 1.5-litre P
Expected price: Rs 10 lakh-16 lakh
Mercedes Benz A-class facelift
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class recently got a mid-life refresh and minor updates in the form of a revised front end, new LED lights and new daytime running lights (DRLs). At the rear, however, not much has changed apart from the details in the tail-lamps. The interior will also be largely unchanged, but it will get new features such as the latest-gen of the MBUX system. Moreover, there are changes under the hood with new plug-in hybrid variants on offer. The India-spec model is likely to continue with the existing 2.0-litre diesel engines, but the 1.3-litre petrol could get a mild-hybrid system.
Coming: Mid 2023
Engines: 1.3-litre P, 2.0-litre D
Expected price: Rs 45 lakh-50 lakh
Volvo S60 facelift
The facelift of the Volvo S60 comes with mild updates to the exterior – slightly revised air intakes in the bumper, a new rear apron with hidden exhaust pipes and new alloy wheels. The biggest change inside is the new Android-based infotainment system that is available on other models in the Volvo line-up and brings apps like Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play Store to the S60. While Volvo offers diesel mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains globally, expect the India-spec S60 to get only a petrol mild-hybrid powertrain. The pre-facelift car came with a 190hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine, and the new one will get a mild-hybrid version of the same powerplant, much like the XC40.
Coming: Mid 2023
Engines: 2.0-litre P
Expected price: Rs 45 lakh-50 lakh
Disclaimer: all prices, estimated ex-showroom
Also see:
17 cars, SUVs being killed off by RDE norms before April 2023