They have witnessed a number of new car introductions in 2024’s first four months, spanning different market niches and pricing points.
TATA ALTROZ RACER
In June 2024, the Tata Altroz Racer is scheduled to go on sale. It is essentially the Altroz with a sportier look that was shown off twice in public. The vehicle has a 1.2L, three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that was taken from the Nexon. The engine will be calibrated to produce 170 Nm of torque and 120 horsepower. The Racer Edition will produce 10 horsepower and 30 Nm more torque than the Altroz iTurbo. Most likely, a single 6-speed manual gearbox will be included.
Twin racing stripes will be present on the bonnet and roof of the Tata Altroz Racer, which will have a dual-tone paint scheme. The front fenders will be branded with the word “Racer.” It will also differ from the standard Altroz in terms of its alloy wheels and front grille. The hatchback’s interior is probably going to have fresh leatherette upholstery with dashboard elements in various colours and contrast stitching. Six airbags and electronic stability control are standard on the Altroz Racer.
5-DOOR MAHINDRA THAR
The 5-door Thar version that is ready for production will probably be called the Mahindra Thar Armada. The market launch of the lifestyle off-road SUV is scheduled for August 15th, after its unveiling. Three versions of the car, with the 2.0L turbocharged and 2.2L diesel engines from the Scorpio N, are probably in the works. There will be 4WD and 2WD gearbox options available.
Steel wheels, 5-spoke alloy wheels, and 19-inch multi-spoke diamond-cut alloy wheels will be available for the SUV’s base, mid, and higher trim levels, respectively. Compared to the 3-door Thar, the 5-door model will have a slightly different front grille, bumpers, a remote fuel filling cap, and a rear wiper. A larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a fully digital instrument cluster, rear AC vents, front and rear centre armrests, push-button start-stop, a sunroof, and many more luxury features will be found within the SUV.
NEW-GEN MARUTI DZIRE
The next significant product release from the Indo-Japanese carmaker in India will be the all-new Maruti Suzuki Dzire. A few design cues, the interior, and the new Z-Series petrol engine will all be shared by the small sedan and the recently launched Swift hatchback. Its interior design will resemble that of the Baleno and Fronx. According to spy photos, the 2024 Maruti Dzire will have a 360-degree camera and the industry’s first single-pane sunroof.
In addition, there will be a wireless phone charger, rear AC vents, a floating 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a revised instrument cluster, push-button start/stop, power-adjustable and foldable wing mirrors, new seat upholstery, and more. The next Dzire will come equipped with six airbags as standard, just like the new Swift. The new Maruti Dzire of 2024 will be powered by a 1.2L, four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 112Nm and 82bhp. Gearboxes with manual and AMT shifters will still be available.
TATA CURVV EV
The introduction of the Tata Curvv is reportedly being moved to this year’s holiday season. Originally, it was planned for the coupe SUV to go on sale in mid-2024. The automaker plans to launch the electric-powered Curvv initially, followed six months later by the ICE variant. It will have a 62mm larger wheelbase and be almost 313mm longer than the Nexon. The 10.25-inch dual screen configuration, digital dials, and four-spoke lighted steering wheel from the Harrier will be carried over to the Curvv coupe SUV. Some of its features and switchgear will be acquired from the Nexon. In addition, it will have a 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging, ventilated seats, and linked car capabilities.
The Tata Curvv EV, which serves as the foundation for Tata’s Gen 2 Acti.ev design, is anticipated to have a range of between 450 and 500 kilometres on a single charge. Three distinct powertrain options will be available for the ICE version: 125 horsepower, 1.5L diesel, 1.2L turbocharged petrol, and CNG. When it is introduced, the new Tata coupe SUV will face off against the soon-to-be Citroen Basalt. However, in terms of pricing, it will also go up against the Hyundai Creta, Honda Elevate, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Toyota Hyryder.
CITROEN BASALT
The second half of 2024 is when Citroen’s planned Basalt coupe SUV is expected to go on sale (maybe around the holidays). Following the C3 Aircross SUV, C3 hatchback, and eC3 EV, this will be the French carmaker’s fourth product to be offered under the C-Cubed initiative. There will be a single 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine with 110 horsepower available for the Citroen Basalt. There are two types of transmissions available: an automatic torque converter and a manual.
Later on, though, the company will also introduce its electric version. With the exception of a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected car technology, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, hill hold control, reverse parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system, and more, the Basalt and C3 Aircross will share the majority of their features.
NEW KIA CARNIVAL
In the second part of 2024, the fourth-generation Kia Carnival facelift—previously shown as the KA4 concept at the 2023 Auto Expo—will make its debut. Although the MPV’s engine configuration is probably going to stay the same, it will undergo extensive interior and exterior modifications. The new generation will still have an automated transmission and a 2.2L diesel engine, much as the previous one. The 1.6L petrol hybrid, 3.5L petrol and 2.2L diesel are the three powertrain options available in international markets. Here, seven and nine seat options for the 2024 Kia Carnival will be available.
In terms of features, it will include the current feature set in addition to a digital rearview mirror, a rotary drive selector, a head-up display, and a dashcam with front and rear capabilities. A redesigned “Tiger Nose” grille, an updated front bumper, L-shaped DRLs, new alloy wheels, and new L-shaped LED taillamps joined by a bar in the middle are some of its design features.
MG CLOUD EV
An electric vehicle from MG Motor India is scheduled to launch this year. Although the name and specifics of the next EV have not yet been disclosed by the automaker, it is most likely the MG Cloud EV, which will retail for less than Rs 20 lakh. For those who are unaware, the Cloud EV is sold in China under the Baojun Yunduo brand and in Indonesia under the Wuling brand by MG’s parent company SAIC. The model will have a wheelbase of 2,700mm and a length of around 4.3 metres.
It might be available with two battery pack options: a 37.9kWh and a 50.6kWh, similar to what is offered in international markets. In contrast, the latter will have a range of 460 km, while the former will supply 360 km. A permanent magnet synchronous motor with 134 horsepower will be installed at the front axle of the electric vehicle. Many technologies, including an ADAS suite, a 360-degree camera, a huge centrally positioned touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster display, a completely reclined front seat with “sofa mode,” and many more, will be available with the MG Cloud EV.
