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Skoda New Octavia

Skoda started its Indian innings with the Octavia and the name is all set to make a comeback to India on the Czech carmaker’s new D-segment challenger, which will go on sale in late 2013. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s flexible MQB platform, the latest Octavia will be longer and wider yet lighter than the current-gen model, which is sold in India as the Laura. Styling will also be much sharper and will carry Skoda’s edgier new design language. Like its predecessors, the new Octavia will be a notchback. Thanks to its larger exterior dimensions, the new car’s cabin will be more spacious, which should translate to a better rear-seat experience. The car could feature new engines but the 2.0-litre diesel and 1.8-litre turbo-petrol are likely to be carried forward. What remains to be seen is how Skoda will position the new Octavia, given that the Laura continues to be a strong seller even after all these years.

FACTFILE
Engine: 1.8-litre turbo-petrol, 2.0-litre diesel
Power/torque: 160bhp/25.5kgm, 140bhp/32.6kgm
Kerb weight: NA
L/W/H: NA
Expected: Late-2013
Price: Rs 16-20 lakh*

Tata Manza facelift

Tata is working on a comprehensive styling update for the Manza saloon. The car is expected in mid-2013 and may carry many elements from the Manza Hybrid saloon shown at this year’s Auto Expo. Frontal styling will be completely different, with a new smiling grille, sharp creases on the bumper and hawk-eye headlights. Moreover, the Manza could be the first Indian car to feature bi-Xenon headlights. Changes at the rear will include reshaped tail-lamps, a more angled bootlid and plastic cladding on the lower portion of the bumper to camouflage some of its bulk. The interior could benefit from a revised centre console and improved quality, though the current engine options are likely to be carried forward. 

FACTFILE 
Engine: 1.4-litre petrol, 1.3-litre diesel
Power/torque: 89bhp/11.8kgm, 89bhp/20.4kgm
Kerb weight: 1210kg
L/W/H: 4413/1703/1550mm
Expected: Mid-2013
Price: Rs 5.7-8.1 lakh*

Honda New Accord

Once the king of its segment, the Honda Accord has lost ground to newer rivals like the Skoda Superb. Things could change when Honda brings in the all-new Accord in mid-2013. As is clear in the pictures of the India-bound US model, the design is a lot more mature than the current car’s, with crisper lines and a more athletic stance. The cabin sees an improvement too with a classier dashboard and even more space than before. Engine options will include a new, and more efficient, direct-injection 2.4-litre petrol (with the choice of a CVT gearbox), but there will be no V6 petrol as on the current car. The sad news is that, like before, there are no plans for a diesel variant, which will invariably limit the big Honda’s appeal in India.

FACTFILE
Engine: 2.4-litre petrol
Power/torque: 182bhp/25.1kgm
Kerb weight: 1475kg
L/W/H: 4851/1849/1465mm
Expected: Mid-2013
Price: Rs 20 lakh*

Skoda Superb facelift

Skoda will give its cars a new corporate identity and the Superb will be the first recipient of the new look in India. The luxury saloon will get a larger, more angular front grille and the headlights get sharper detailing as well. Daytime running lights are another possibility. The makeover will extend to tail styling as well, with reshaped lights and a new bootlid that will now house the number plate. A slighlty revised dashboard could also be part of the update.

FACTFILE
Engine: 1.8-litre turbo-petrol, 3.6-litre petrol, 2.0-litre diesel
Power/torque: 160bhp/25.5kgm, 260bhp/35.7kgm, 140bhp/32.6kgm
Kerb weight: 1567kg
L/W/H: 4838/1817/1482mm
Expected: Early-2013
Price: Rs 18-28 lakh*