Top 3 Utility Vehicles launching in the next 3 months of 2016

SUVs and UVs have stormed our markets and have dominated most of the sedans. Capitalising on this, automakers have devised variants of these muscular rides to expand their portfolio.

With the festive season approaching, a lot of exciting utility vehicles are lined up to flood the Indian market. Here is a list of the top three upcoming UVs in India in the next three months.

1. Jaguar F-Pace

Another festive season launch, this big boy SUV from Jaguar will make the festivals a lot more joyful. The F-Pace SUV made its India debut at the 2016 Auto Expo and will arrive in the country with two diesel engine options. Petrol variants will follow in some time.

The top-end ‘R-Sport’ variant will feature a big 3.0-litre 300PS/700Nm diesel engine which will be mated to an eight-speed gearbox sending power to all the four wheels. This combination results in a 0-100kmph time of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 241kmph. The smaller 2.0-litre 180PS/430Nm diesel engine will also be paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and will have a 0-100kmph time of 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 208kmph.

2. Hyundai Tucson

To challenge the market of the Mahindra XUV500, Hyundai is letting the Tucson SUV make a comeback in the Indian market. Expected to launch in October, this SUV will have the 2.0-litre diesel which is available in the Elantra and not the old 1.6-litre unit from the Verna and Creta (which was expected earlier).

Alongside the 2.0-litre diesel will be a 2.0-litre petrol engine as well. This SUV will be launched in its latest generation and bridge the gap between the Santa Fe and the Creta in Hyundai's SUV portfolio. Prices are expected to be around Rs 15 lakh.

3. Tata Hexa

After its showcase at the 2016 Auto Expo, the Tata Hexa cross has been quite popular among MPV lovers. This successor to the Tata Aria has the looks of an SUV and the practicality of a seven-seater MPV. When launched, it might actually give the Innova a run for its money.

The Hexa will have a 2.2-litre VARICOR diesel engine which will produce 156PS of power and 400Nm of torque. It will be available in both manual and automatic variants. Complementing the muscular looks of the cross are wraparound tail lamps, projector headlamps with DRLs, 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, smart USB charging ports, a bigger Harman-powered ConnectNext infotainment system, and twin exhausts.

Special Mention/Nissan GT-R

Surprise, surprise! We have been saving the best for the last. Yes, this new Godzilla will arrive at Indian shores by the end of this year. We know that this is not even remotely close to a UV, but how could we let this go without even a mention. Nissan has even officially started accepting bookings for this R35 GT-R at Rs 25 lakh.

This monster’s heart is a 24-valve, twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine that produces 570PS of power at 6,800rpm and 637Nm of torque. Performing the duty of transferring this power to the tarmac is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with all-wheel drive. The results are a thumping heart and a big smile on your face. Expect it to cost around Rs 1.5-2 crore.

Will all these cars about to flood the market within a short span of three months, the year 2016 sure packs a strong punch to go out with a bang!

Source: CarDekho.com