Sedans may not have the demand or popularity they once did. Nevertheless, they still have an aspirational status in India. Due to this, the segment is still alive in our market, with a slew of new sedans set to be launched over the next year, ranging from high-end luxury ones like the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class to more affordable midsize sedans like the Skoda Slavia and VW Virtus. Here is a list of all the upcoming models.
Honda City Hybrid
Set to launch in India by mid 2022, the City Hybrid will likely be the first mass-market strong hybrid to go on sale in India. Expected to be offered in standard and sportier-looking RS guises, the City Hybrid’s powertrain comprises a 98hp, 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine paired with an integrated starter generator (ISG) and a second electric motor producing 109hp. The hybrid setup allows the City to be run in pure EV mode, or with just the engine, or a combination of both. The City Hybrid will deliver stellar fuel economy, possibly upwards of 20kpl in the real world. Question is, will buyers happily digest the high starting price that’s likely to be upwards of Rs 15 lakh for the low running costs?
Coming February 2022
Engines 1.5 P (Hybrid)
Expected Price Rs 15 lakh-18 lakh
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The sixth-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class was unveiled in February this year. Its design has now been brought in line with the newer E-Class and S-Class, primarily by way of shorter overhangs, a more angular front end and new light cluster designs. The new C-Class also has a 25mm longer wheelbase than the model it replaces, which should translate to more space for rear passengers.
Inside, the influence of the latest S-Class is quite evident, as the horizontal dual-screen layout has been ditched for a large portrait-orientated, tablet-style infotainment touchscreen, accompanied by digital dials. However, this new layout also means Mercedes has done away with the physical switches for climate control, which is now adjusted via the touchscreen.
Powering the new C-Class will be 2.0-litre diesel and petrol engines, though each will now come equipped with a 48V belt-integrated starter generator as standard.
As with previous generations, a spicier and more performance-focused AMG variant will join the range down the line. Once launched, the all-new model will continue to rival the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and the Jaguar XE.
Coming Late 2022
Engines 2.0 P, 2.0 D
Expected Price Rs 45 lakh-55 lakh
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
Is the standard S-Class too blasé for you? Well, there’s some good news as Mercedes will bring its range-topping Maybach S-Class to India soon. This uber-luxury limousine prioritises comfort and space, the latter enhanced by its 5,469mm length, which is 180mm longer than even the long-wheelbase version of the standard S-Class. All this extra space goes towards making the rear seats as spacious as possible.
That’s not all, Mercedes also offers the reclining individual ‘Executive’ rear seats with integrated massager as standard. Rear passengers also get two tablet-style entertainment screens, powered rear door opening and closing, a detachable touchscreen in the centre console for seat and HVAC controls, a new active ambient lighting system and an active road noise compensation system (that uses the speakers and works like noise-cancelling headphones).
Design elements like the new grille, generous use of chrome, bespoke alloy wheels, larger rear doors and Maybach badging help it stand out from the S-Class.
The Maybach S-Class S 580 variant will be locally assembled and will be powered by a 500hp, 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.
There will also be S 680 version with a 612hp, 6.0-litre V12 engine, that will be brought to India as a CBU.
Coming Early 2022
Engines 4.0 P, 6.0 P
Expected Price Rs 2 crore-2.8 crore
Skoda Slavia
While the new Skoda Slavia will be the successor to the ageing Rapid, it will also be positioned a notch higher. The Slavia will be the second model from Skoda to use the localised MQB-A0-IN platform. It will also be considerably larger than the current Rapid and is expected with a best-in-segment wheelbase.
The Slavia will also come packed to the gills with equipment, making it one of the most feature-rich sedans in the segment. Features like wireless charging, ‘My Skoda’ connected car tech, a new infotainment screen, ventilated seats, a digital instrument cluster, 6 airbags and a high-spec audio system with a sub-woofer are expected to be part of the package.
Just like the newly launched Kushaq SUV, the Skoda Slavia will be powered by two TSI turbo-petrols – a 115hp, 1.0-litre engine and a larger, 150hp, 1.5-litre unit. The latter will offer segment-leading performance. While the 1.0 TSI will get a 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox option, the 1.5 TSI will get a 6-speed manual and a snappy 7-speed DCT automatic. You can read our review of the Slavia prototype to see how it drive. Skoda will be officially unveiling the sedan on November 18, and it is expected to go on sale by early 2022.
Coming February 2022
Engines 1.0 P, 1.5 P
Expected Price Rs 12 lakh-15 lakh
Toyota Camry facelift
Late last year, Toyota globally updated the Camry hybrid sedan with a mid-life facelift. The updates on the Camry facelift were primarily cosmetic, bringing in a newly designed front bumper, new alloy wheels and redesigned LED tail-lamps.
On the inside, the Camry was updated with a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen and an updated infotainment software.
Mechanically, however, the Toyota Camry facelift remains unchanged. It carries over the 2.5-litre petrol engine paired to an electric motor, with a combined output of 218hp. The powertrain comes mated to a CVT gearbox driving the front wheels. Expect the updated Camry to be launched in the first-half of 2022, at a slight premium.
Coming Mid 2022
Engines 2.5 P (Hybrid)
Expected Price Rs 35 lakh-40 lakh
Volkswagen Virtus
Following the Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen too will be replacing the decade-old Vento with an all-new sedan based on the MQB-A0-IN platform. The Virtus will be a sister model to the Skoda Slavia, and like the Slavia, it will be considerably larger than the model it replaces. This bodes well for the amount of cabin space the new sedan will have.
While the Virtus sedan is already on sale overseas, India could get a facelifted model with sharper and more contemporary styling. VW will equip the Virtus similarly as the Taigun, so we can expect features like a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a full-digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, ventilated front seats and auto headlights and wipers.
Under the hood, the Virtus will also get the same 115hp, 1.0-litre TSI engine and the 150hp, 1.5-litre TSI engine as the Taigun. Gearbox options will include a 6-speed manual as well as a 6-speed torque converter automatic for the 1.0 TSI and a 7-speed DCT automatic for the 1.5 TSI.
Volkswagen will unveil the new Virtus for India in February 2022, followed by a market introduction by April-end. It will rival the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.
Coming April 2022
Engines 1.0 P, 1.5 P
Expected Price Rs 12 lakh-15 lakh
(All prices ex-showroom, estimated)
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