The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, not just hit hard the general industry and the market but the Automobile sector was badly hit due to the outbreak of the disease. 2020 which was anticipated as the year of big launches, with the lockdown imposed and the new Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) norms implemented, held back the industry to launch a wide array of four-wheelers.

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With things coming back on track, the Covid-19 graph flattening, and the development of the vaccines on the doorstep, the upcoming year of 2021 is set for the big launches.

It is being said that with the upcoming year followed by the new launches, the Indian automobile market will look way different than it was a year ago.

So, here are five upcoming most anticipated launches set for the 2021-

  • Tata Gravitas


 (Photo by Pradeep Gaur/Mint via Getty Images)

Expected Price – Rs 15 Lakhs – Rs 20 Lakhs

Expected Launch- First half of 2021

Based on the platform of Tata Harrier, the upcoming seven-seater SUV will be powered by the same BS6-compliant 2.0-litre diesel engine found in the updated Harrier, where it produces 170PS of power and 350Nm of torque in a higher state of tune like the Jeep Compass. It is paired to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Tata is also working on a 1.6-litre petrol engine that could find its way into the Gravitas later in 2020.

With features such as machine-finished 17-inch alloy wheels, projector headlamps with LED DRLs, an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, auto AC, 9-speaker sound system, and a 6-way powered driver seat.

Tata Gravitas Rivals: The Gravitas will be a direct competitor to the Mahindra XUV500 and the MG Hector Plus.

  • Skoda Octavia


 Image: Twitter @skodaautonews

Expected Price – Rs 18 Lakhs – Rs 22 Lakhs

Expected Launch- Second half of 2021

Skoda has officially revealed the fourth-gen Octavia, the new Skoda expected to offer the car with a new 1.5-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel engine. These will be paired to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG.

The fourth-gen Octavia gets a bigger touchscreen system, a head-up display, eSIM connectivity, connected car tech with voice assistant, a digital instrument cluster, and more.

  • Mercedes Benz A-Class


 (Photo by Pradeep Gaur/Getty Images)

Expected Price – Rs 30 Lakhs – Rs 35 Lakhs

Expected Launch – First week of January 2021

The A-Class sedan is available with two engine options. The A 200 variant is powered by a 1330cc turbocharged petrol engine that makes 163PS of power and 250Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The A 180 d, on the other hand, gets a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates 116PS and 260Nm, paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Since the A-Class sedan will be a CBU import in the country, it is expected that the India-spec car to be powered by the same set of petrol and diesel engines.

The new A-Class sedan will be priced between the CLA and the C-Class in the Indian market. So, expect a price tag of about Rs 35 lakh. When launched, the A-Class sedan will take on the likes of the Audi A3.

  • Toyota Fortuner


 (Getty Images)

Expected Price – Rs 29 Lakhs – Rs 35 Lakhs

Expected Launch – January 2021

Ahead of the launch, select Toyota dealers have started taking bookings of the upcoming flagship SUV. The new version of Fortuner, which is one of the leading SUV in terms of market share in India, is expected to come with an updated front end, new LED headlamps, bumper design, and an updated layout for the rear LED tail lamps. Both cars feature new designs for the alloy wheels, 18-inch units for the base model and dual-tone 20-inch wheels for the Legender variant. Toyota will also offer a larger touchscreen infotainment system (9-inch unit for the Legender and 8-inch unit for the base version) with Apple CarPlay and T-Connect for connected car features. Other feature updates for the Legender variant include a 360-degree parking camera, wireless charging pad, ambient lighting, and a mildly updated instrument cluster. It also gets a kick-to-open feature for the powered tailgate.

Toyota is expected to offer the same set of BS6 petrol and diesel engines on the facelifted Fortuner.

  • Kia Stinger


 (Photo by Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images)

Expected Price – Rs 50 Lakhs – Rs 55 Lakhs

Expected Launch – April 2021

Kia stepped into the Indian automobile market in 2018, with the newly launched Sonnet made the company make its step into the fav-Indian compact SUV segment. The Auto manufacturer is all set to launch the Stinger the sport sedan.

The Stinger is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. The standard petrol unit on offer is a 2.0-litre engine that produces 247PS and 353Nm. Alternatively, it also gets a 2.2-litre diesel engine that is tuned to produce 200PS and 440Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the performance-oriented GT variant has a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine under the bonnet which produces 370PS and 510Nm.

All the petrol and diesel engine options are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. While the models are RWD as standard, there is an AWD option too.

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Kia had built the Stinger to take on the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes C-Class in terms of both style and performance. But it can also compete with the Volvo S60 and Lexus ES300.

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