August will be a busy month for the Indian automotive industry. Besides the monsoon, it will be raining new cars in the market next month. Let us look at all the cars and SUVs to launch in August this year.
1. Nissan X-Trail
The fourth-gen Nissan X-Trail will be the first new car to go on sale in August. To be available as a CBU model in India, deliveries of the X-Trail will commence on August 1 while prices are set to be announced a week earlier. There are currently 150 units of the X-Trail up for grabs for the first set of customers. We expect it to be priced around Rs 40-45 lakh (ex-showroom). It will rival the likes of Jeep Meridian and Skoda Kodiaq besides Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster. To know more about the X-Trail, click here.
2. Citroen Basalt
Citroen will launch its third locally developed, and fourth overall, model in India named Basalt. Based on the same CMP architecture as C3 Aircross, what makes Basalt distinct is its design of a coupe SUV with a sharp receding roofline giving the car a sporty edge. The French brand has already shared official images of Basalt and it is expected to be launched on August 2.
Basalt will be powered by the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, mated to either a manual or torque converter automatic transmission. This motor churns out 109 bhp and 190 Nm (205 Nm in AT). Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. For more details on the Basalt, read here.
3. Tata Curvv, Curvv EV
Citroen Basalt will not be the only coupe SUV launching in August. Tata Motors will bring out not one, but two versions of its upcoming coupe SUV. Called Curvv, it will be available in both ICE and EV powertrains. It is slated to be launched on August 7. Like Basalt, Curvv gets a sharp receding roofline of a coupe. The fossil-fueled Curvv is expected to be offered with three engine options whereas the fully-electric Curvv is expected to be available with two battery pack options. Read here to know more about Tata Curvv.
4. Mahindra Thar Roxx
The 5-door Mahindra Thar, launching on August 15, now has an official name. Although we expected Mahindra to add the “Armada” suffix to add some nostalgia to the name, the company instead has opted for the “Roxx” moniker. Besides the longer wheelbase and the additional set of doors, Thar Roxx will get a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, a fully-digital instrument cluster, LED projector headlamps, a 360-degree camera, and ADAS to name a few. Click here to read more about the Thar Roxx.
5. Lamborghini Urus SE Hybrid
Lamborghini will launch the top of the line Urus in India on August 9. Called the Urus SE Hybrid, it gets some exterior enhancement over the standard Urus, besides additional features such as new 12.3-inch central touchscreen.Further inside the cabin it gets new dashboard panels and redesigned AC vents. Powering the Urus SE Hybrid is a 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine paired with a plug-in hybrid system featuring a 25.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
6. Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz will launch the CLE Cabriolet in India on August 8. Based on the Mercedes’ Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform, the all-new convertible shares its underpinnings with the current C-class and the upcoming E-Class. With a 2+2 seating configuration, it is likely to be available in two variants– the CLE 300 4Matic or CLE 450 4Matic. Being a CBU, it is expected to be priced over Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom).
7. Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe
Apart from the CLE Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz will also launch the facelifted AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe in India on August 8. Based on the GLC, the AMG 43 4Matic Coupe is 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged unit paired with a mild-hybrid technology. Transmission duties are carried out by a 9-speed automatic gearbox sending power to all four wheels. Like the CLE Cabriolet, the AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe will be a CBU and a pricey affair at over Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom).
