This might just be the busiest opening week of a new year that the Indian auto industry has ever seen. In the last three days, as many as four new cars have arrived, most of them being actual launches and not just reveals. This includes everything from a luxury sedan to SUVs of all shapes and sizes.
It began with the 2021 facelift of the Audi A4, which was followed by the Toyota Fortuner facelift. And today, as MG Motor launches the Hector facelift in the market, Jeep India is showcasing the Compass facelift for the first time.
AUDI A4
The 2021 Audi A4 facelift has been launched in India with prices starting from ₹ 42.34 lakhs for the Premium Plus variant and ₹ 46.67 lakhs (ex-showroom India) for the top-end technology trim. It has many new features on the outside and the inside as well as a new petrol engine. A diesel engine is not available. The car also gets LED headlights with new LED DRLs and LED taillights, besides new 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.
The cabin gets a new 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and features like voice command, the Audi Virtual Cockpit, 3-zone climate control, wireless charging and a sunroof. In terms of safety, the new Audi A4 facelift gets eight airbags, cruise control, an electronic stability program, driver assist and brake assist. Instead of the 1.4 litre petrol engine seen earlier, the car now has a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol motor, which churns out 187 bhp and 320 Nm and is paired to a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox. The car can go from 0 to 100 kmph in 7.3 seconds and its top speed is 241 kmph.
TOYOTA FORTUNER
Japanese carmaker Toyota has launched a facelift of its popular SUV Fortuner, starting at Rs. 29.98 lakhs (ex-showroom). The new Fortuner is available with a 2.8 litre diesel engine which gets 6-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmission with Intelligent Manual Transmission options. There’s also a 2.7 litre petrol variant with 6-speed automatic and 5-speed manual transmission options. Automatic variants provide torque of 500 Nm along with 204 PS while manual variants generate 420 Nm and 204 PS.
The new Fortuner gets a new front grille, a refreshed bumper, a new headlamp design with LED line guide, daytime running lamps and multi-axis spoke alloy wheels with a chrome metallic finish. Inside, it gets a ventilation system on front row seats and a larger touchscreen system with Android Auto/Apple Carplay and a 11-speaker JBL subwoofer system. It also gets Auto Limited Slip Differential (Auto-LSD) that enables maximum power without breaking traction, Variable Flow Control (VFC) power steering with drive modes and front clearance sonar to safely navigate when parking in tight spaces. The 4X4 variants now also get a lockable differential as an additional feature to ensure a firm footing when navigating in extreme terrains. A new color of sparkling black crystal shine has been added to the SUV too.
JEEP COMPASS
More than three years after it first launched in the country, the Jeep Compass has been given a mid-life facelift. The company first teased the car in a new green option. The car also gets a changed seven-slat grille, new LED headlights, refreshed alloy wheels and new LED taillamps. The bumpers, both at the front and rear, have also been changed.
Inside, there is a new dashboard and a bigger touchscreen system on offer. The car also gets a new steering wheel and a changed instrument cluster. Then there’s a new dual-tone interior with black and brown treatment with soft-touch upholstery.
The Compass is likely to continue the 1.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine which is paired to a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed automatic gearbox. A 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel is also on offer.
MG HECTOR
Merely a year and a half after launching its first car in India, Morris Garages has launched a facelift version of the SUV in the market. Talking about its exteriors, the 2021 MG Hector facelift gets a new grille with a chrome-stud pattern which is inspired by its electric SUV, the ZS. The car also gets a new set of twin-5-spoke alloy wheels.
The cabin now features a new beige and black dual-tone interior theme. The facelift also comes with additional features like a wireless phone charger and ventilated seats for front row passengers. The SUV gets the same ismart touchscreen system as before and the petrol and diesel engines also remain as before.