Hatchbacks are one of the most loved and adaptable segment in India. They are compact, they are practical and they have an appeal. From students to executives, almost everyone drives a hatchback at some point or the other. Given the traffic and narrow lanes in our country, it is also a segment which makes practical sense.
Which makes the hatchback market one of the most competitive, with new models coming in every now and then. And since it is a hot selling segment in the local market, there is no doubt that we see a slew of new launches around the festive season. So let's show you a few models that are expected to launch soon:
1. New Honda Jazz
The updated Honda Jazz is the closest launch we have on our radar. To be launched on 19 July, the Jazz is expected to launch with minor exterior detailing to make the car adapt to ongoing trends.
Few safety features like ABS, EBD and reverse parking sensors are also expected to be standard. Inside, the new Jazz will house all black interiors and will use different fabric trim. It will also come with an all new infotainment system that will likely be loaded with Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
The new Jazz will be powered by the same 1.5 litre diesel and 1.2 litre petrol engine.
2. Santro Reborn?
Already spied testing quite a lot of times, the possible successor to the legendary Hyundai Santro is expected to make its debut around this festive season which will most likely carry forward the nameband. The car, as the size suggests, will sit between the Eon and the Grand i10 in Hyundai's lineup.
The shape is very much like the Grand i10. The exterior also features LED DRLs, large tail lamps and black accents on the bumper. It will carry Hyundai’s latest design language, going by the shape of the headlamps.
This car could also be a replacement for Eon and will come with fresh new interiors with a three-spoke steering wheel with mounted controls, dash mounted gear knob and fresh trims to make it look more premium. The car is expected to launch in October or late September to coincide with Santro's 20th anniversary in India.
The possible new Santro is likely to be powered by an 800cc and a 1-litre petrol engines, something you expect out of this segment. To sweeten the deal, Hyundai might introduce an automatic transmission variant for the new-look Santro.
3. 2018 Ford Figo Facelift
The Ford Figo will also get a facelift this year. Few months after the launch of the Freestyle crossover, the new Figo is also expected around October.
This mid-cycle upgrade will sport the new 1.2 litre Dragon series Ti-VCT three cylinder petrol engine, replacing the 1.2 litre four-cylinder unit. Ford claims this engine is the most powerful 1.2 litre petrol engine in the country. This engine is also seen on the Ford Freestyle.
The new Figo will be inspired from the 2018 Ford Ka+ on sale in Europe. It will have a chrome front grille with a mesh pattern, reworked bumpers and updated headlights and tail lights.
Inside, the facelift will see minor updates to the centre console to make it look cleaner and will house a 6.5-inch infotainment system with Microsoft's SYNC 3 - similar to the Freestyle's interior.
4. The New Mercedes A-Class
The new refreshed Mercedes hatchback was unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show to show-off the new design language from the German manufacturer on its hatchback.
As the new A Class has already been launched in Europe, the Indian launch is expected in the later part of the year (festive season probably).
The new design takes away from the traditional A Class design with a completely refreshed design to adapt to Mercedes' new design language. The head lamps and tail lamps get a new design. The new A Class houses slimmer and sharper lights with an optional multibeam LED technology and adaptive high-beam assist .
The car is based on a modified MFA platform that was used on the previous A Class.
It will be loaded with tech, with the most significant update being the dual screen setup on the dashboard as seen on other new Mercedes models (there are two 7-inch displays).
The A-Class is available with the choice of three four-cylinder engines in the international markets - a 1.4 litre Renault-Nissan produced petrol unit, an updated 2.0 litre motor that will make 218 bhp and two more options. It also comes in a 2.0 litre and a 1.5 litre diesel engine in the international markets.
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