More details about Honda's Auto Expo line-up have emerged. In addition to the second-generation Amaze, Honda will reportedly showcase the new 7-seat CR-V and the Civic.

The new CR-V is unlike the model that is currently on sale in India. The SUV has grown in proportions and now has seven seats instead of five. The new model will be available with a diesel engine. Honda is likely to offer a 1.6-litre diesel from its 'Earth Dreams' range. This engine makes about 158 BHP and 350 Nm of torque.

The refreshed Amaze is set to be launched later this year, followed by the CR-V in India. According to a media report, Honda plans to localize the production of the 1.6-litre engine to keep the price of the CR-V competitive.

The new Civic gets a gloss black front grille with sweptback LED headlights. The car has large C-shaped tail lights and a notchback-style rear end. A facelift version of the current Civic is likely to be offered in India. The new Civic is likely to get a 1.8-litre, naturally aspirated VTEC petrol engine, while the 1.6-litre diesel engine is expected to be offered as an option. 

While the exact timeline of the launches is not known, both the Civic and the CR-V are part of Honda's plan to launch six cars in India by 2020.

Source: Autocar India

Media reports suggest that Tata Motors is likely to reveal a pre-production concept of its mid-size SUV (codenamed: Q501 / H5) at the 2018 Auto Expo. 

The Q501 will be based on the L550 platform shared with the Land Rover Discovery Sport. It is believed to be offered in 5-seat and 7-seat variants. The new model will be positioned above the Hexa and will compete with the Hyundai Creta, Jeep Compass and the likes. 

Tata Motors hasn't announced any details about its upcoming SUVs however reports suggest that the Q501 might get a detuned version of the 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine from the Jeep Compass.

While, the 5-seater SUV is expected to be launched by the end of 2018, the 7-seater (codenamed: Q502) might be launched in 2019.

Source: Autocar India

The third-generation BMW X3 was unveiled in June 2017 and is already on sale in markets around the world. Now, the car, which is expected to make its debut in India at the 2018 Auto Expo, has been spotted at a dealership.

The new X3 is based on BMW's CLAR platform and is slightly larger in proportions compared to the outgoing model. At the same time, it is 55 kg lighter than the old car. It gets a redesigned exterior featuring a larger kidney grille and reworked headlamps. The bumper has been tweaked and now gets larger air vents on both sides. Unlike the previous model which had circular fog lamps, the new car has its fog lamps integrated in the air vents. The side profile of the X3 hasn't changed much, but at the rear it features a new set of LED tail lights.

Inside, the new X3 gets a redesigned dashboard with a floating touchscreen infotainment system in the centre and silver inserts around the air-conditioner vents. The switches on the centre console are also finished in silver. The SUV comes with a new three-spoke, multi-function steering wheel and a twin-pod instrument cluster. 

In India, the new X3 is likely to be offered with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 188 BHP and 400 Nm of torque paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system. Meanwhile, BMW has launched the X3 xDrive20d M Sport based on the outgoing model to clear existing stock.

Source: Cartoq

Media reports suggest that Mahindra will reveal the 2nd-gen SsangYong Rexton at the 2018 Auto Expo. The new Rexton will be branded as a Mahindra and could feature minor cosmetic changes. It is expected to be launched later this year.

The G4 Rexton was officially revealed back in March 2017. It is based around a ladder-frame chassis and measures 4,850 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, 1,800 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,864 mm. In terms of its dimensions, the Rexton will be identical to the international model. 

Mahindra is likely to give the Rexton a new grille and new alloy wheels. The interiors too could feature minor tweaks. As far as equipment and features are concerned, the global model gets projector headlamps, 360-degree camera, 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in addition to a 7.0-inch LCD instrument panel, cooled seats wrapped in Nappa leather and a smart tail gate. It would be interesting to see which of these features make it onto the India-spec Rexton.

Mechanically, the Mahindra Rexton will be identical to its global counterpart. While the Rexton is offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines in some markets, the India-spec Rexton will likely get the 2.2-litre diesel unit paired to a 7-speed automatic gearbox. This engine delivers a peak output of 184 BHP and 420 Nm of torque.

Source: Autocar India

Tata Motors is likely launch a premium hatchback in 2019 that will take on the Hyundai Elite i20 and Maruti Baleno. According a recent media report, a close-to-production concept of the new hatchback (codenamed: X451) will be showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo.

The X451 will be the first model to use the Advanced Modular Platform (AMP) and will feature revised styling. Tata Motors is set to debut its new design language - Impact Design 2.0 with the X451. Spy images of the car have indicated that the X451 is likely to get a raked windshield and a sloping roofline. The test car was equipped with a rear spoiler and wiper as well as rear door handles mounted on the C-pillars. It will be positioned above the Tiago, while keeping its overall length will be kept under 4-meters to slot it in the lower tax bracket.

The car is expected to be powered by a more powerful version of the 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol from the Tiago. Additionally, a 1.2-litre, turbocharged petrol from the Nexon might also be introduced at a later date. A 1.05-litre diesel engine with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) is likely to be offered as an option.

Source: Autocar India

According to a media report, the upcoming Hyundai Elite i20 automatic facelift will be offered with a 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine. The smaller capacity engine will replace the 1.4-litre unit that currently powers the i20 automatic. Additionally, the new Elite i20 is rumoured to get a continuously variable transmission (CVT) paired with the 1.2-litre engine. It is set to make its debut at the 2018 Auto Expo.

It has been reported that the new CVT has been developed specifically for India and is likely to make the new model more fuel efficient than the outgoing 1.4-litre version that comes with a torque converter. The report suggests that it won't come with paddle shifters however this feature could be introduced in the future. 

The smaller 1.2-litre engine will also put the i20 is a lower tax bracket - more specifically, it will attract 12.5% tax, which applies to sub-4 meter vehicles and cars with 1,200 cc petrol engines. This should allow Hyundai to price the new i20 automatic more competitively. 

Currently, the Hyundai Elite i20 1.4 automatic attracts 24% tax. It is available in only one trim (Magna) and is priced at Rs. 9.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). That's Rs. 81,000 more than the Maruti Baleno Alpha CVT variant.

Apart from the new engine and transmission, the Elite i20 facelift will get revised styling with a new grille, re-worked tail lights and new alloy wheels among other updates. 

Source: Autocar India

Maruti Suzuki will showcase a compact SUV concept at the 2018 Auto Expo. The Future S is a sub-4 meter SUV that is likely to be positioned below the Vitara Brezza.

The official teaser image released by Maruti Suzuki reveals the Future S concept in side profile. The car has an upright stance and a gently sloping roofline. It features a wraparound front windshield, an almost upright A-pillar and a thick C-pillar. It appears to have slim, twin-pod headlights and LED tail lights. The rear end features a steeply raked windshield. It is also reported that this mini SUV will be about 200 mm shorter in length than the Brezza. 

Maruti hasn't provided any details about the engines that could power the concept when it goes into production. However, media reports suggest that it will be based on the HEARTECT platform shared with the new Dzire and the upcoming Swift hatchback. It is likely to be offered with a hybrid powertrain with a 1.2-litre K-series petrol engine along with Maruti's upcoming 1.5-litre diesel unit that is currently under development. While the exact timelines for its launch are not known, the new compact SUV could be launched later this year or early 2019, according to a media report. 

Source: Autocar India

The second-generation Honda Amaze will reportedly make its global debut at the 2018 Auto Expo. The compact sedan is likely to be launched in the Indian market later this year. 

There have been reports suggesting that the new Amaze will borrow styling cues from the Honda City. It will reportedly be slightly wider than the current model while the overall length will remain unchanged. Unlike the outgoing model which has a pretty mediocre interior and equipment list, the next-gen Amaze is expected to carry more features. 

The new Amaze will likely be offered with the same powertrain options as the outgoing model. Currently, the India-spec Amaze is powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 87 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 109 Nm @ 4,500 rpm. It also comes with a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine with 99 BHP and 200 Nm of torque. While a 5-speed manual transmission is standard, the petrol engine is offered with a CVT as well.

The next-gen Amaze will compete with the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Ford Aspire which is also due for a mid-life refresh. 

Source: Autocar India

Mercedes-Benz has revealed three new models that will take centre stage at the upcoming 2018 Auto Expo. The line-up includes the E-Class All-Terrain, Maybach S 650 limousine and the Concept EQ - showcasing future electric mobility.

The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain made its global debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. It is based on the E-Class estate but features all-wheel drive, 19-inch alloy wheels and a higher ground clearance. It gets a twin-slat grille and chunky bumpers with added protection in silver-chrome. The wheel arches and underbody are lined by plastic cladding. At the rear, the loading bay gets extra outer sill protection. The E-Class All-Terrain will be launched in India sometime in 2018. It will compete with the Volvo V90 Cross Country.

The Mercedes-Maybach S 650 limousine will make its debut at the 2018 Auto Expo. It comes with various creature comforts including reclining rear seats with massage function in addition to semi-autonomous driving capabilities. It uses the same 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V12 engine that powers the Mercedes-AMG S 65. It produces 612 BHP @ 4,800 rpm and 1,001 Nm of peak torque @ 2,300-4,300 rpm and is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Finally, the "show car" for the 2018 Auto Expo will be the Concept EQ. It was first unveiled at the 2017 Paris Motor Show. The name 'EQ' stands for "Electric Intelligence" and the first model of the new EQ range will be an electric SUV. The car is powered by two electric motors that can deliver up to 402 BHP of peak output depending on its battery. Mercedes claims that the Concept EQ has a range of up to 500 km on a single charge.

In addition to these, Mercedes-Benz will also showcase other models like GLA 220 d 4MATIC, GLC 220 d, GLS 350 d, new E 350 d, C 250 d Edition C, C-Class Cabriolet, AMG GT R, AMG GLC 43 Coupe, AMG SLC 43 and their 2017 championship-winning Formula 1 car.

As spy images have suggested, Hyundai has been working on a new hatchback for the Indian market. According to a media report, the new model, which could be named 'Santro', will make its debut at the 2018 Auto Expo. The car will be showcased alongside the Hyundai i20 facelift. 

A test mule of the new hatchback was recently spotted in Delhi. The images don't reveal much, except for the tail light and the high-mounted stop light. The tall-boy design of the new car is evident though. Also, like the previous sighting, this test mule is riding on steel wheels.

Media reports suggest that the new Santro will replace the Eon to slot under the Grand i10 in Hyundai's model line-up. The car is likely to use the same 1.0-litre Kappa petrol engine from the Eon. Entry-level variants powered by an 800cc petrol engine can't be ruled out either. There have also been reports that the car will be a replacement for the erstwhile i10 and use a 4-cylinder petrol engine. That said, there has been no word from Hyundai regarding the new hatchback and the engines that could be used to power it.

Source: Autocar India

Images: Bobby Malik / Twitter