Honda BR-V

Japanese manufacturing giant Honda is ready to enter the red-hot compact SUV segment in India by confirming that the Honda BR-V will indeed be launched sometime around September, 2016. The BR-V's form is visibly based on the extended Brio platform and features multiple design elements borrowed from Honda's current range of vehicles such as the Mobilio, Jazz and City. Capable of seating 7, the compact SUV will compete against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross.The Honda BR-V is expected to be powered by the same set of engines that drive other Honda offerings like the City and Jazz. Engine options should include a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol and a 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel unit mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic transmission box.

Honda BR-V Expected Launch: September: 2016

Honda BR-V Expected Price: 8 lakh - 10 lakh

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 Diesel

After the launch of its Celerio diesel hatchback, Maruti Suzuki India is planning to bring in the diesel version of its top-seller Alto 800 as well. The will probably be showcased at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo before its official launch. The Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 diesel will become the country's most affordable diesel car. It will feature the same 793cc, two-cylinder diesel units that is good for 47bhp and 125Nm. While the Celerio diesel is claimed to return around 27.62km/l of mileage, the Maruti Alto 800 might return even better mileage thanks to its lighter weight.

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 Diesel Expected Launch: 1st Half, 2016

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 Diesel Expected Price: 4 lakh

Toyota Innova

The 2016 Auto Expo will see the long awaited new-look Toyota Innova break cover in India. The updated model is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and is lighter than the outgoing version.

The new Toyota Innova features a completely re-done front end with swept back head-lamps, a new front grille, LED DRLs and new fog-lamps while the rear end gets a new bumper along with updated tail-lamp clusters. Inside the cabin, the new Toyota Innova will include a host of bells and whistles including an intelligent touchscreen multimedia system with inbuilt navigation. Power will be provided either by a 2.0-litre petrol or a newly developed 2.4-litre diesel engine unit which put out 137bhp and 147bhp respectively. Transmission is provided by a manual gearbox for both engines with a 6-speed automatic gearbox available on diesel variants.

Toyota Innova Expected Launch: Mid-2016

Toyota Innova Expected Price: 10 lakh - 16 lakh

Toyota Vios

Although Toyota currently sells the Etios and Corolla Altis in India, the company is yet to launch a mid-size sedan to compete against the Honda City, Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Vento and Hyundai Verna. The Honda City in particular, has been a runaway success in India, which signifies the importance of the segment. However, despite the long delay, the Japanese company is now ready to launch its own entrant into the aforementioned segment in the form of the Toyota Vios. The Vios is likely to arrive in India with a choice of either a 1.4-litre diesel or a 1.5-litre petrol unit. Gearbox options should include a 5-speed manual and 7-speed CVT automatic.

Toyota Vios Expected Launch: July, 2016

Toyota Vios Expected Price: 7.5 lakh - 12 lakh

Tata Zica / Tata Zica

The Tata Zica is an exciting new product that is scheduled to be launched by the Indian carmaking giant. The car's contemporary design and well thought out interiors seem to tick all the right boxes, especially if it's launched at a competitive price point. The Tata Zica is the first of the Kite siblings to be revealed with the sedan version expected to follow sometime later this year. The Zica will be available with a choice of 3-cylinder petrol and diesel engine units. The 1.2-litre petrol Revotron engine, also used in the Bolt and Zest, will pump out 83bhp and 114Nm of torque whereas the 3-pot, 1.05-litre diesel unit can make 67bhp and 140Nm of torque. Although unconfirmed, the hatchback will also be launched with an AMT gearbox at a later date. The hatchback will compete with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Celerio and Hyundai i10 and should cost between 3 lakh and 4 lakh. The Tata Zica will be launched on 20 January, 2016. 

Besides the hatchback, the company will also be launching a sedan based on the hatchback. Although initially referred to by its codename, Kite, the Zica-based sedan may come bearing a completely different moniker. The car is expected to launch within the 1st half of 2016.

Tata Zica Launch: 20 January, 2016

Tata Zica Expected Price: 3 lakh - 4 lakh

Tata Zica Sedan Expected Launch: 1st Half, 2016

Tata Zica Sedan Expected Price: 3.5 lakh - 4.5 lakh

Mahindra KUV 100

The Mahindra KUV100 was recently unveiled in its production guise and is set to launch on 15 January, 2015. After the muted success of the Quanto, the Indian UV manufacturer will be expecting the latest sub-compact addition to its SUV family to be able to claim a sizable portion of the currently hot selling segment. Mahindra has been busy trying to capitalize on the rising trend of people opting to choose SUVs or SUV-esque designs and has already unveiled the TUV300 compact SUV and has brought out an automatic variant of its popular, range-topping XUV500 SUV.Targeted at customers under the age of 30, which constitutes 60 per cent of India's population, the KUV100 will come with a diesel and a petrol option. The 1.2-litre petrol unit is Mahindra's first in-house petrol engine called the mFalcon G80 which good for 82bhp. The diesel version is powered by a turbocharged 1.2-litre mFalcon D75 engine that makes 77bhp and 190Nm of torque.

Mahindra KUV100 Launch: 15 January, 2016

Mahindra KUV100 Expected Price: 4.5 lakh - 6 lakh

HYUNDAI CRETA

Hyundai will enter with new upcoming compact SUV car  the ix25 which is slated for launch in this festive season year.The ix25 looks striking from with its sharp headlamps, rising window line and smart wraparound tail lamps. The car also get features such as projector headlamps and LED daytime running lights.The car is also dimensionally similar to the Renault Duster, but Hyundai could shave bits off both ends to duck under the 4 meters length limit for small cars to compete with the Ford Ecosport.

Estimated Price:  10 lakhs
Features:

The standard features on offer will be central locking, 2-Din music system, 16-inch wheels, foldable key, etc. Whereas the top-of-the-line Hyundai Creta model will get smart key with push start-stop button, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, projector headlamps, leather seats, audio video navigation system (AVN), 5-inch touchscreen audio system, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and phone control buttons, 6 airbags, reverse parking camera, projector headlamps, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM), hill-start assist control.
Engine and Transmission Options

1.4-litre CRDi diesel with a 6-speed manual gearbox - 89bhp, 220Nm
1.6-litre CRDi diesel with a 6-speed manual gearbox - 126bhp, 260Nm
1.6-litre CRDi diesel with a 6-speed automatic gearbox - 126bhp, 260Nm
1.6-litre VTVT petrol with a 6-speed manual gearbox - 121bhp, 155Nm