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Sedans contribute to about 10% of the Car Basket that includes: Hatchback and SUVs + MUVs. FY 2021-22, in spite of the pandemic woes and its challenges, could see as many as 18 new launches and upgrades in the very important Sedan segment.
(The second wave of the Covid19 virus and the severe restrictions and lockdowns imposed across the country could however change the entire calendar.)
The manufacturer wise launches could be :
Audi
Audi has announced its plans of launching 2 Sedan models in India for FY2021-22.
They are the A3 2021 and the e-Tron.
Audi A3 2021
The luxury carmaker will be launching the plush Audi A3 2021 by October 2021 priced around Rs.35 L ex SR at Delhi.
It will be launched with a 4 cylinder 1998cc Petrol Engine with Auto transmission.
The car will be competing with the New Skoda Octavia Superb, Gloster, A4, 3 Series.
e-TRON GT
The launch is expected in March 2022 and could be priced at Rs.200 lakh ex SR Delhi.
It will be an Electric Vehicle platform Sedan that will generate a maximum power of 475 kW and a torque of 830 Nm.
It would be plush with features including Power Steering, ABS, Passenger Air Bag, Driver Air Bag, Alloy Wheels, Power Windows on the Front, Automatic Climate Control, Multi-Function Steering Wheel.
It would be equipped with AWD and have Automatic transmission.
A big statement from Audi will be the e-Tron GT.
BMW
The German Carmaker is expected to launch 2 models in FY2021-22.
The models are the :
5 series 2021 priced around 57 Lakh Ex SR Delhi in May 2021.
The Sedan will be powered by a 1998cc
4 cylinder Diesel Engine. It will be competing with the BMW X3,3 Series, XF, and the Mercedes Benz CLS and C-Class.
However, the raging pandemic and severe restrictions and lockdowns imposed across the major parts of India, from late April 2021 to May 2021, could see the launch getting postponed.
BMW M3 priced around 65 Lakh Ex, SR Delhi, in June 2021.
The sedan will be Petrol Engine powered Coupe. The Engine will be of capacity 2998cc that can generate a max power of 502.888 hp and a torque of 598 Nm. It will have an Automatic transmission.
It will compete with the X3, 3 Series, XF, CLS, and C-Class.
Hyundai
The Korean automaker is expected to launch the Elantra, priced Ex SR 15L and expected to be launched in September’2021.
The new Elantra is inspired by Hyundai’s Le Fil Rouge concept. This concept had been showcased at the Auto Expo 2020.
The new Elantra is powered by a 1999cc Petrol engine with 4 cylinders and has a manual transmission.
Kia
The sister company of Hyundai is planning to launch 2 Sedans: Rio and the Stinger.
Rio
Expected to be launched around 8 Lakh Ex SR Delhi in August 2021.
The Rio is based on the Hyundai-Kia GB Platform. It would be a premium hatchback and compete with the Hyundai Elite i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleni, and the Honda Jazz.
The Rio would be powered by a 1.6litre 4 cylinder petrol engine that would generate a max power of 130ps and max torque of 161 Nm. It would have 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options.
It would be fitted with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity, Cruise Control, Manual AC, day/night IRVM,six-way adjustable driver’s seat too.
The car was planned to be launched in late 2019 but delayed due to the pandemic.
Stinger:
Expected to be launched around 50 Lakh Ex, SR Delhi, by April 2022.
The Stinger is the flagship model of the company in the International Market; and will be making its entry in India.
It would be available in both Petrol and Diesel Engine versions. The Petrol engine will have a capacity of 2 liter and generate max power 247 ps and max torque 353 Nm while the Diesel engine will be 2.2 liter and generate max power 200 PS and Max Torque 440 Nm. The GT variant would be powered by a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that can produce 370PS and 510Nm.
Both the engine options are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, that has paddle shifters. RWD would be standard and AWD would optional.
The car could be plush with features like Nappa leather seats, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and also have a 7-inch TFT screen in its instrument cluster.
The Stinger is being brought to India to showcase Kia’s pedigree in premium luxury sedans and the model would compete with rivals including BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes C-Class as also the Volvo S60 and Lexus ES300.
Mercedes
The Premium and Luxury car market has seemingly been left unaffected by the Pandemic woes. In fact, it has seen good growth.
Mercedes Benz too has been registering healthy sales volumes and has announced plans to launch 2 Sedans in FY 202122.
The Sedans planned to be launched are :
Mercedes Benz CLA 2020 priced Rs.40L Ex, SR. Delhi, by June 2021. The Sedan is powered by a 2143 cc Diesel Engine that generates a max power of 136 bhp@3600-4400 rpm and max Torque 300Nm@ 1600-3000 rpm. It would have automatic transmission. It also comes with a sun-roof.
It would compete with the Skoda Superb, Audi Q2, and MG Gloster.
Mercedes Benz C – Class priced Rs.43L Ex, SR, December 20, 2021.
The information available, as of now is, this Sedan would be powered by Petrol Engine of capacity 1950cc and have manual transmission.
More details are forthcoming.
MG
The company is launching a new Sedan MG RC-6 priced around Rs.18 L by Oct’2021.
The MG RC-6 will be a Diesel Engine Powered Sedan with an Engine capacity of 1498cc with Manual Transmission. Max Power generated would be 147ps and a torque of 245 Nm. It will not have a Sun Roof.
NISSAN
The Japanese auto major is launching an upgraded Nissan Sunny priced Rs.8.5L Ex, SR Delhi, by Dec’2021.
The Sedan will be a 4 cylinder 1498cc
Diesel Engine with manual transmission.
The car has always got very rave reviews but not the desired sales volume. This upgrade could possibly address the sales volume aspiration.
SKODA
The Czech Automaker from the BMW family is planning to launch not one but two sedans.
The Skoda Octavia (Ex SR Rs.20L
Delhi) on 15 June 2021 and
The Skoda Rapid (Ex SR Rs.10L Delhi) on 10 Oct 2021.
Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia was expected to be launched in Apr 2021 but got delayed due to the pandemic. The Sedan will be powered by the Superb’s 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine, which generates a max power of 190ps and max torque of 320Nm, which is mated with a 7 speed DSG (Dual Clutch Automatic). In the future, there could well be another option of a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automative. The Sedan comes plush with features: a large infotainment system, panoramic sunroof,dual-zone climate control,power-adjustable driver’s seat as also a semi-autonomous parking assist. A digital instrument cluster too could be available in the top-spec variant. Eight airbags as also tyre pressure monitoring, electronic stability control, and multi-collision braking would add to the safety features. Additional safety could also be provided by ISOFIX child seat anchors. The only rival to this sedan will be the Elantra from Hyundai.
Skoda Rapid :
The upgraded Rapid is expected to be launched by Oct 2021 priced at Rs.10L Ex, SR Delhi.
The Sedan will have a 4 cylinder 999 cc Petrol Engine with manual transmission.
The Sedan will be competing with the Maruti Ciaz, The Toyota Yaris, and the Tata Nexon.
Tesla
Perhaps the most awaited model launch in India is the Tesla Model3 in India.
The Tesla Model 3 Electric Car is expected to be launched on Q4 2021. The model will be priced around Rs.60L Ex SR Delhi. While the details of the model for India are not shared, it is gathered that the US-spec Model 3 is having 3 electric powertrain options: Standard Plus, Long Range, and Performance. The Standard Plus option has a rear-wheel drivetrain and a claimed range of 423 km on a single charge. The Lomg Range and the Performance variants have a claimed range of 568km and 507 km respectively.
Tesla would be offering the Standard Plus and Long Range variants at first, for India.
Tesla offers a feature-rich model with 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system and many other features. Would they offer the same in India too? We will have to wait and watch. Tesla being the only Electric Vehicle in its segment, will have no direct competition for now but will face completion from the ICE technology models Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and the Volvo S90.
The Tesla Model – S could be launched in late 2021. However, it would depend on the Model 3 customer response as also how the Pandemic situation, which is very dire now, pans out.
VOLKSWAGEN
The German Auto major continues to be optimistic in India. FY2021-22 could see the launch of 3 Sedans from Volkswagen
The Sedans to be launched are :
1. Volkswagen Passat: Priced Rs.30L Ex SR Delhi on May 2021
This will be a 4 cylinder Petrol Engine of capacity 1498cc and with Automatic Transmission. It would have as its rivals: The Ford Endeavour, Skoda Octavia, and the Audi Q2.
2. Volkswagen Vento: Priced Rs.13L Ex SR Delhi on Sep 2021
This will be a 4 cylinder Petrol Cylinder Engine of capacity 1598cc with manual transmission. It would not have a Sun Roof.
It would have as its rivals the Toyota Yaris, Maruti Ciaz, and the Tata Nexon.
3. Volkswagen Virtus: Priced Rs 10L Ex SR Delhi onMarch 2022.
This might well be the successor to the Vento. It would be a 4 cylinder 1498cc Petrol Engine driven Sedan with manual transmission.
The Skoda New Rapid, the Hyundai Venue, and the Tata Nexon would compete with the VW Virtus.
The Indian car market has a good share of its volumes still coming from the sedan segment. This is one segment where you show your capabilities as an OEM to provide sophisticated features and technology. This is also where the customers who generally upgrade from a hatchback, look at.
With a host of launches lined up here, certainly, FY 2021-22 seems to be an action-packed year for new car launches.
Disclaimer: Images shown above are derived, collated, and compiled sketches and may vary from the final products.