The Indian automotive industry has witnessed an exciting wave of new launches in 2024, marking a significant shift towards electric mobility and next-gen technology. With a surge in consumer demand for both affordable and high-performance vehicles, automakers are responding with innovative offerings across various segments. Tata, Mahindra, Skoda, Citroen, and MG have all introduced game-changing models that cater to the evolving preferences of Indian buyers. From the affordable and feature-packed Tata Punch EV to the premium Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e, 2024 promises to be a year of transformation. This article delves into the top automotive launches of 2024, exploring how these models are setting new benchmarks in performance, pricing, and technology in India’s rapidly expanding car market.
Tata Punch EV
2024 started with Tata offering one of the most affordable, feature-laden and an NCAP 5-star safety rated electric car, the Punch EV. Priced between INR 9.99 lakh – 14.29 lakh, this all-electric version of the Punch micro SUV is the company’s first product to be built on the new Acti.ev platform. This pricing places it within reach of a wider audience, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional petrol or diesel-powered vehicles, while providing the long-term savings associated with EVs in terms of running costs and maintenance.
The Punch EV is offered with two battery pack options: 25 kWh and 35 kWh, with the larger 35 kWh pack claiming a range of 421 km. Overall, the Tata Punch EV strikes the right balance between affordability, performance, and sustainability, making it a strong contender in India’s evolving EV landscape.Mahindra BE 6, XEV 9
Mahindra believes in shock and awe and they recently took the industry by surprise and offered two brand-new, born electric SUVs, the BE 6e (changed to BE 6) and the XEV 9e on Nov 26, 2024. Both cars are built on Mahindra’s INGLO platform, a modular skateboard architecture designed for electric vehicles.
BE 6, XEV 9: Price and features
The price for the BE 6e starts at INR 18.90 lakh, while the XEV 9e starts at INR 21.90 lakh. The full pricelist will be launched in late January 2025 with deliveries claimed to begin in February or March 2025. Both cars have advanced technology and safety features filled to the brim including ADAS, a 360-degree camera, and multiple regeneration modes.
The BE 6e boasts some impressive specifications, including an ARAI-certified range of up to 682 km on a single charge. It is powered by a potent 281 horsepower motor, enabling strong performance, with a claimed 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 6.7 seconds.
BE 6, XEV 9: Battery and charging
The Mahindra XEV 9e, equipped with the larger 79kWh battery, is capable of covering up to 656 km on a single charge under the MIDC (Modified Indian Driving Cycle) conditions. On the European WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) cycle, the coupe-SUV offers a range of 533 km. Both battery variants—59kWh and 79kWh—use LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) technology and come with a lifetime warranty for the initial batch of customers. Following this, Mahindra will offer a 10-year or 2-lakh km warranty to subsequent buyers.
For charging, Mahindra claims that the 79kWh battery can be recharged from 20% to 80% in just 20 minutes with a 175kW DC fast charger, while the 59kWh battery requires 20 minutes with a 140kW DC fast charger.
Skoda Kylaq
After being dormant for a while, with the last new product offered in 2022 (Skoda Slavia), Skoda India launched its new compact SUV, the Kylaq, with a starting price of INR 7.89 lakh (ex-showroom). It is a quite significant launch for the company as the Czech automaker aims to make a significant impact in the Indian market by introducing its smallest SUV yet. With the Kylaq, Skoda plans to achieve its goal of selling over 1,00,000 units annually in India. For context, its previous models, the Kushaq and Slavia, helped Skoda achieve a record 53,721 unit sales in 2022, driven by the India 2.0 strategy.
Built on the MQB-A0 IN platform, shared with the Kushaq, Slavia, Volkswagen Taigun, and Virtus, the Kylaq offers a well-constructed feel. While it doesn’t yet have an official Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP safety rating, Skoda is aiming for a 5-star score. Standard safety features across all variants will include six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, an electronic differential lock, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
At INR 7.89 lakh, the Kylaq enters the heart of the Indian SUV market, competing against strong contenders such as the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue, and Kia Sonet. Skoda plans to expand its sales and service network, reaching untapped cities and towns across India. With its solid build, competitive pricing, and practical features, the Kylaq is well-positioned to become a popular choice in the segment and could see a large presence on Indian roads.
Tata Curvv EV
Another offering from Tata’s stable this year is the coupe-styled electric SUV, the Curvv EV. The much-anticipated and the company’s fifth all-electric vehicle, the Curvv EV is launched with introductory prices ranging from INR 17.49 lakh to INR 21.99 lakh. Positioned as a direct competitor to the MG ZS EV, which is priced between ₹18.98 lakh and ₹25.44 lakh, the Curvv EV offers a compelling alternative in the electric SUV segment.
The Curvv EV comes with two battery options: a 40.5kWh unit available on the Creative, Accomplished, and Accomplished+ variants, and a 55kWh battery offered on the Accomplished, Accomplished+ S, Empowered+, and Empowered+ A variants. The 40.5kWh variant provides an MIDC-certified range of 502 km, while the 55kWh variant offers a range of 585 km on a single charge. Tata’s C75 testing standard, which is closer to real-world conditions, estimates that the long-range 55kWh model can achieve 400-425 km, and the 40.5kWh model can go 330-350 km. For comparison, the MG ZS EV, with its 50.3kWh battery, offers an ARAI-certified range of 461 km.
With the Punch EV priced from INR 9.99 lakh and the Curvv EV priced from 17.49 lakh, Tata India seems to have everything on offer for the Indian buyer.
Citroen Basalt
Citroen has introduced the Basalt coupe-SUV in India, with an attractive introductory price starting at INR 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Basalt is the fourth model under Citroen’s C-Cubed program for India and is positioned as a fresh alternative to conventional midsize SUVs, with the Tata Curvv being its primary competitor. Citroen’s competitive pricing strategy for the Basalt underscores its commitment to making a strong impact in the Indian market.
The Basalt is powered by two 1.2-liter petrol engine options: a 82hp, 115Nm naturally aspirated unit and a more powerful 110hp turbo-petrol engine. The turbo-petrol engine can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission, delivering 190Nm of torque, or a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which produces 205Nm. The naturally aspirated engine is only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
MG Windsor
MG disrupted the EV industry in India by offering a premium electric vehicle with an extremely aggressive pricing and a very fresh take on EV ownership by introducing the Windsor is its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, where the battery is available on a rental basis, lowering the upfront cost of the car. Under this system, buyers pay a nominal fee of INR 3.5 per km driven, separate from the car’s price.
The Windsor is powered by a 38kWh LFP battery with prismatic cells, offering a claimed range of 331 km. The car is equipped with a front-axle-mounted motor producing 136hp and 200Nm of torque. Additionally, it offers four driving modes – Eco+, Eco, Normal, and Sport – to suit various driving preferences. The vehicle supports fast charging at 45kW, enabling a 0-80% charge in just 55 minutes. For regular charging, the Windsor can be charged via 3.3kW and 7.7kW AC chargers, which take about 14 hours and 6.5 hours to fully charge the battery, respectively.
MG is providing an attractive lifetime warranty on the battery with unlimited kilometres for the first set of buyers, along with free public charging for the first year of ownership.
New Maruti Suzuki Dzire
A very important launch for Maruti Suzuki is the new Dzire, especially because the Dzire is the first 5-star GNCAP rated vehicle from the brand. The interior of the updated Dzire has been entirely redesigned, featuring a new freestanding 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The car now comes equipped with a host of advanced features, including an Arkamys sound system, auto-folding ORVMs upon locking, LED fog lamps, a 360-degree camera, and connected car technology. It also supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, rear AC vents, wireless phone charging, and an electric sunroof.
The interior of the updated Dzire has been entirely redesigned, featuring a new freestanding 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The car now comes equipped with a host of advanced features, including an Arkamys sound system, auto-folding ORVMs upon locking, LED fog lamps, a 360-degree camera, and connected car technology. It also supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, rear AC vents, wireless phone charging, and an electric sunroof.
Thar Roxx
After a series of teasers, Mahindra revealed the pricing for the Thar Roxx, the much-awaited 5-door version of the beloved Thar. The 5-door variant is priced from INR 12.99 lakh for the entry-level MX1 petrol version, and INR 13.99 lakh for the diesel variant. This marks a INR 1.64 lakh increase over the 3-door model. The base Roxx variant of the Thar comes with two engine options: a 162hp, 330Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 152hp, 330Nm 2.2-litre diesel engine, both paired with a manual transmission. The MX1 variant features a multilink rear suspension with a Watts linkage, Mahindra’s ‘Frequency Dependent Damping’ technology to improve ride quality, and electronic power steering for better handling.
When it comes to off-road performance, Mahindra highlights the Roxx MX1’s impressive capabilities, including a water-wading depth of 650mm. It also offers approach and departure angles of 41.3 degrees and 36.1 degrees, respectively, and comes equipped with a brake locking differential for added traction.
