New arrivals

A mixed bag of SUVs, sedans and even a hatch fills in the lull after a forgettable 2020 and a lazy new year

ASTON MARTIN DBX

Aston Martin is the latest brand to climb aboard the luxury SUV bandwagon with its first SUV ever, which comes to India via the CBU route. Based on an all-new platform, the DBX boasts a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 making 542bhp and 700Nm paired to a 9-speed torque convertor auto ’box. Aston Martin uses the same AMG-sourced engine on the DB11 and Vantage, albeit in a different state of tune. Here, though, it helps the DBX sprint to 100kmph from standstill in a scant 4.5 seconds, and on to a 291kmph top end.

MG HECTOR

The Hector gets its first major facelift since its 2019 launch, although the changes are limited to aesthetics and features with no updates to the tried-and-tested duo of engines. Visually, the most obvious change is the new grille, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Mercedes-Benz diamond grille. The new 18-inch multispoke alloys too look suitably ‘inspired.’ The interiors, though, get comprehensive updates with ventilated front seats, a wireless charger and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. And, the integration of Hinglish commands for the infotainment no doubt increase its appeal to a wider audience. Further updates include the ability to connect to an external network and search for artists and songs by voice commands.

Audi’s new A4 is genuinely ‘new’ – besides the multiple visual tweaks, it now gets a 2-litre petrol mill mated to a DCT ’box. The same engine, also seen on other VW Group cars like the Skoda Superb and Tiguan Allspace, makes an identical 188bhp and 320Nm here as well. However, since it’s underpinned on the MLB Evo platform, the enfine is mounted longitudinally and not transversely, and also gets a mild-hybrid system: a belt-alternator starter generator that recovers energy during deceleration, stores it in the battery and powers the electricals when the engine switches off, courtesy the start-stop function.

TOYOTA FORTUNER

Toyota has launched the third-gen Fortuner with a few aesthetic touches like a redesigned bumper, more prominent skid plate, LED projector headlights, and a larger grille. The more significant change however, comes under the hood, more specifically with the diesel engine. This is because while the 2.7-litre petrol, available only in front-wheel-drive with 5-speed manual or a 6-speed auto ’box makes the same 163bhp and 245Nm, while the 2.8-litre diesel unit has now been tweaked to make 201bhp and 420Nm of torque with the six-speed manual variant and 500Nm of torque with the automatic.

LEXUS LS 500H NISHIJIN

Named after the Nishijin district in Japan, the LS 500h Nishijin features a special Gin-Ei Lustre paint scheme which uses a special paint technology for a smooth, mirror-like finish. The interiors get refreshed stitching with platinum metal foil to resemble ‘moonlight shining on waves.’ Mechanically, though, the LS 500h Nishijin remains unchanged, with a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 making 354bhp and 350Nm.

BMW 3 SERIES GL

In essence a stretched version of the 3 Series, the 3 Series Gran Limousine will replace the 3 Series GT in the brand’s India lineup. Available in petrol as well as diesel variants (both of which are mated to an 8-speed auto ’box), it benefits from a 110mm increase in wheelbase which frees up a bit more space at the rear, allowing for improved knee room.

TOYOTA LEGENDER

Along with the facelifted Fortuner, Toyota has also launched the Legender, which comes in as the top-end Fortuner variant with a sharper, Lexus-like front. Apart from the more aggressive looks, it also gets LED headlamps with DRLs, sequential turn indicators and a new vertical housing for the LED fog lamps. In terms of powertrains, however, it gets only the 2.8-litre diesel engine, that too with just an auto ’box and front-wheel-drive.

JEEP COMPASS

Since its launch in 2017, the Jeep Compass hasn’t had any significant changes except for the addition of the Trailhawk variant in 2019. This has finally been addressed with the facelifted Compass that now gets updates like a redesigned bumper, LED headlamps with DRLs, LED taillamps and body-coloured plastic cladding on the wheel arches. The interior gets new kit in the form of a reworked dashboard layout, a floating 10.1-inch infotainment screen, a fully-digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster, and Jeep’s latest U-Connect 5 interface with OTA upgrades.

TATA ALTROZ i-TURBO

The Tata Altroz i-Turbo is essentially an Altroz with a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine borrowed from the Tata Nexon in a lower state of tune, making 108.5bhp and 140Nm, paired to a five-speed manual transmission, at the moment at least. On the inside, the Altroz i-Turbo gets a semi-digital instrument cluster, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an eight-speaker system from Harman, with the range-topping XZ+ variant adding connected car features, leatherette seats, rear fog lamps and an Xpress Cool feature — which, as Tata claims, chills the cabin 70 per cent faster.