If 2014 was an electrifying year for the Indian automobile industry, as apart from the extravaganza of Delhi Motor Show, numerous launches took place – be it all-new products or be it facelift versions, then 2015 is going to be even more electrifying. The first half of 2015 is coming to an end and we have witnessed a bunch of new products launches as well as facelifts. However, what we haven’t seen yet is a launch in the popular premium SUV segment. No, I am not referring to luxury SUVs such as Audi Q3, Land Rover Discovery Sport and BMW X5; Nor I am talking about the budget friendly SUVs such as Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra XUV500, and Tata Safari Storme. Here we will talk about the upcoming premium SUVs launching in the next 12 months in India:

1. 2016 Toyota Fortuner Facelift: Toyota is prepping up to introduce the new-generation Fortuner SUV in India by the first half of 2016. Although, the new-generation SUV has been spied several times as test mule, but still it is awaiting its official world premiere. Being based on an all-new ladder-frame platform, it is expected to be unveiled globally on 28th July 2015 in Thailand. The new Toyota Fortuner would share its interior belongings with the recently launched Hilux Revo pickup. It would be powered by the newly-developed ‘GD’ diesel engines – a 2.4-litre and a 2.8-litre. These engines would be linked to six-speed manual as well as automatic gearboxes in both 4X4 and 4X2 avatars. The designing of the new Fortuner is likely to be quite new and it is believed to be coming in a price range of INR 23-28 lakhs (On-Road) in India.

2016 Toyota Fortuner
2016 Toyota Fortuner as test mule in Thailand

2. New Ford Endeavour: Ford India, bringing freshness to its entire product range, would launch as many as four fresh products in the country in 2015. The new Endeavour would launch in India by the end of 2015. However, the SUV was spied testing during its test runs near the company’s Chennai plant in March and it was revealed that it would come loaded with exquisite features like an eight-inch touchscreen system with Ford’s SYNC 2 infotainment and satellite navigation, rear view camera, push-button start, and adaptive cruise control. Reportedly, it would come with two engines – 2.2-litre, four-cylinder 148 bhp diesel engine and a 3.2-litre, four-cylinder 197 bhp diesel engine. The lighter and less powerful engine would be combined to a six-speed manual gearbox, while the more powerful and range-topping engine would boast of a six-speed automatic transmission. Prices are expected to be starting from INR 20 Lakhs (On-Road) to INR 27 Lakhs (On-Road).

2015 Ford Endeavour
2015 Ford Endeavour

3. Chevrolet Trailblazer: Chevrolet India, with all guns blazing, would launch the Trailblazer SUV during the festive season this year in the country. It would mark the arrival of General Motors in premium SUV segment in India. The Trailblazer SUV has been spied numerous times, albeit fully camouflaged on the Indian roads as test mule. It would be powered by a 2.8-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine which would generate a maximum power of 200bhp and peak torque of 500Nm. Chevrolet Trailblazer would be offered in both manual as well as automatic transmissions. An AWD variant is also in offing to take on the likes of Toyota Fortuner & Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. As for features, the SUV would have MyLink touchscreen infotainment system and a piano-black finish for the center console. Pricing is still unclear as it is not known yet whether the company would sell it CBU or manufacture it locally. Expect the base model to cost INR 23 Lakhs (On-Road) in India.

Chevrolet Trailblazer
Chevrolet Trailblazer

4. 2016 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Facelift: Mitsubishi is almost ready to unveil the 2016 Pajero Sport facelift in the second half of 2015 in Thailand. But, in most likelihood, it is going to hit the Indian shores only by the second half of 2016. The SUV has been on its final test runs and it is learnt that it is based on the new Mitsubishi L200 Triton’s ladder-frame chassis for better handling. The car is not fully revealed yet, but it has been speculated that it has evolved a lot in exterior styling. It would flaunt the ‘Dynamic Shield’ X-shaped front grille and more contemporary headlamp cluster with LED lighting. Mechanically, it would in-house the all-new 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, MIVEC diesel engine which would belt out 178bhp of top power and 430Nm of peak torque. Quite identical to all its counterparts, it would also be offered with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions with an AWD variant. It would be locally assembled at company’s Tamil Nadu plant with pricing in a domain of INR 24-29 lakhs (On-raod).

2016 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
2016 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

5. Nissan X-Trail: Nissan, as we reported in exclusive story, is mulling to bring back the X-Trail SUV in India by the end of 2015. The new Nissan X-Trail adorns the company’s newest ‘V-Motion’ design language, while the interiors too have been updated. Its interior cabin is said to be extremely rich in features as it has cruise control, Around View Monitor, dual-zone climate control system, 7-inch Nissan Connect infotainment system, Hill Start Assist, Electrically adjustable seatbelts etc. to name a few. The X-Trail SUV would have a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder diesel powerplant that would produce 130bhp of top power and 320Nm of peak torque. There would also be a 4X4 variant, while the SUV would be available with a six-speed manual and a new XTronic automatic gearbox. Pricing would be high as it would be sold as CBU in the country.

Nissan X-Trail
Nissan X-Trail
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