Top 3 Hatchbacks Launching In The Next 3 Months Of 2016

Hatchbacks – the segment that sells the most in the country. A lifeline to many in the ever-growing traffic, they have gone much beyond being just easy modes of transport. Given their huge market, it's not surprising that manufacturers focus on this body type to sell high numbers. And with the festive season approaching, the market is about to heat up with exciting launches. Here are the top three hatchbacks that’ll launch in the remaining three months of 2016.

1. Maruti Ignis

After the massive success of cars like the Vitara Brezza and the Baleno, Maruti is set to introduce yet another game changer in the hatchback world – the Ignis. This baby SUV has a tall stance and a muscular side profile with a beefy C-pillar and gills towards the end. The rear is rather simple, which makes the hatch look classy. Inside, it has an all-new cabin and will most likely come with a premium infotainment system from Harman Kardon. Also, the dashboard is completely new, with a capsule-like panel for the aircon controls. Mechanically, the car will have the same engine options as the Baleno – a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel engine. It might even feature a CVT transmission as an option, but we will have to wait for an official word to confirm that. This hatch will be priced between the Swift and the Baleno, and will be sold from the NEXA range of showrooms. It is in its final phase of testing and we expect it to be launched by Diwali this year.

2. Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS

Another Maruti in the list, this – the RS variant of the Baleno – is a serious car. Well, seriously fun. The lightweight construction of the hatch made even the 1.2-litre 84PS petrol motor feel punchy and, now, it is about to get a 1.0-litre BoosterJet petrol engine with a max power of 110PS and a torque figure of 170Nm. And this is not the only change – the car will also be getting disc brakes in all the four wheels. This arrangement surely makes for a really exciting drive. Also, the Baleno RS will have a sporty body kit with a front under spoiler, rear under spoiler, boot spoiler and side skirts. The Suzuki insignia on the front grille will also get a hexagonal housing. The Baleno RS will also ditch the existing boring alloy wheels of the Baleno and get more sporty alloy wheels. Equipment and interiors will resemble the Alpha variant of the standard Baleno, along with the touchscreen Suzuki SmartPlay infotainment system which has Apple CarPlay and Mirrorlink. This car will stand against the likes of the Polo GT TSI and the Abarth Punto. Expect a price tag of around Rs 9 lakh.

3. Fiat Avventura Urban Cross

Update: Fiat has launched the Avventura Urban Cross at a starting price of Rs. 6.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The top variant is priced at Rs 9.85 lakh. This car is a part of the Punto lineup and very much looks like it. It has a revised front and rear bumper, a matte silver skid plate, roof rails and plastic mouldings at the sides. In terms of engine, the car gets two options - a 1.3-litre diesel and a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol. The petrol engine is tuned by Abarth and has an output of 140PS/212Nm. The diesel motor, on the other hand, makes 93PS/209Nm. Read all about the car here.

An Avventura-based crossover, the Urban Cross ditches the tough off-road look of the Avventura and wears more premium-looking clothes. It was showcased at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo alongside the Linea 125S and, since then, the Linea has been launched and Fiat is now ready to introduce the Cross. Engine wise, this big boy hatch is no sloth. It will bear an Abarth-tuned 1.4-litre T-Jet engine, which has made its name in the Fiat Avventura (powered by Abarth). This turbocharged petrol engine produces 142PS power and 210Nm torque and comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Inside the cabin too, the car does not fail to impress. It features a five-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and other gizmos from Avventura and the Punto EVO.

Another notable entry apart from these three hatchbacks will be the Honda Brio facelift, which will be launched in the festive season. This car will have changes similar to the ones that we saw in the Amaze facelift with a muscular front bumper, new dashboard and the introduction of a CVT automatic gearbox. All of the above-mentioned cars look promising and, with two of them being from India's largest carmaker, they surely have the potential to dominate the market.

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