Upcoming car launches in March 2026

The second month of 2026 turned out to be a fairly eventful one for the Indian car market. Maruti finally disclosed the e Vitara’s India prices, while Ferrari also announced the prices of the 849 Testarossa and the Amalfi for our market. Volkswagen launched the locally assembled Tayron R-Line, and Tata put the Punch EV facelift on sale. Nissan, too, expanded its line-up with the Gravite, while BMW introduced a more powerful 30 xDrive variant for the X3. Hyundai also joined in, adding a new Era variant for the i20. 

With February now behind us, March is set to carry the momentum forward, with key launches lined up from Mercedes, Renault, Audi and Skoda.

Mercedes V Class

March 2

Luxury MPVs are becoming increasingly popular among premium car buyers in India, and Mercedes-Benz is set to capitalise on this trend by reintroducing the V-Class. While the nameplate was discontinued in 2022, the upcoming version will essentially be a facelift of the previous V-Class sold here. Globally, it’s offered with multiple seating layouts, including 8-seat, 7-seat and a more luxurious 6-seat configuration with captain seats in the second and third rows, although the exact wheelbase and seating options for India are yet to be confirmed. 

In international markets, both petrol and diesel engine options are offered. The final powertrain specification for the India-spec model, however, is still under wraps. It will rival the Lexus LM, MG M9 and Toyota Vellfire.

Renault Duster

March 17

Also discontinued in 2022 and making a return this month is the Renault Duster. The new-generation SUV has already started reaching showrooms across India for display and test drives, with deliveries slated to begin in April. For India, the Duster will be offered with two turbo-petrol engine options, alongside a strong-hybrid powertrain. The turbo-petrol line-up includes a 100hp 1-litre engine shared with the Kiger and a more powerful 163hp 1.3-litre four-cylinder unit. Both engines will get a 6-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.3-litre engine will also be available with a 6-speed DCT.

The 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain is expected to join the range around Diwali 2026. This setup produces 109hp from the engine and is paired with a 49hp electric motor and a 20hp hybrid starter generator, powered by a 1.4kWh (280V) battery, for a combined output of 160hp. The Duster is a crucial product for Renault India, and once launched, it will compete in the highly competitive midsize SUV space against models such as the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos.

Audi SQ8

March 17

March 17 is set to be a busy day, as it will not only mark the arrival of the new Duster but also the introduction of the SQ8 variant for Audi's flagship SUV in India. The Audi Q8 is currently available in standard and range-topping RS Q8 forms, and the SQ8 will slot neatly between the two. The SQ8 uses the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine as the RS Q8 but in a lower state of tune. Here, it produces 507hp and 770Nm compared to the RS Q8’s 640hp and 850Nm. For context, the standard Q8 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering 340hp and 500Nm. 

The SQ8’s motor comes paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to all four wheels, and Audi claims a 0-100kph time of 4.1 seconds. In India, it will serve as an alternative to models such as the Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG Coupe and the Porsche Cayenne GTS.

Skoda Kushaq facelift

Date not yet announced 

The updated Skoda Kushaq brings refreshed exterior styling, a more upmarket cabin and a longer feature list, along with some key mechanical changes. Highlights among new features include a panoramic sunroof and a massaging function for the rear seats. The biggest change, however, is the introduction of a new 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox with the 115hp 1-litre turbo-petrol engine, replacing the earlier 6-speed automatic, while a 6-speed manual continues to be offered. The 150hp 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine remains on offer with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, and Skoda has now added rear disc brakes. 

Production of the Kushaq facelift has already commenced at Skoda’s Chakan plant in Pune. Once launched, it will continue to compete in the midsize SUV segment against the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Tata Sierra, Maruti Grand Vitara and Honda Elevate.

Toyota Ebella

Price announcement (expected)

The Urban Cruiser Ebella is Toyota’s badge-engineered version of the Maruti e Vitara and marks the brand’s entry into the mass-market EV space in India. It will be offered with two battery options: a 49kWh pack paired with a 144hp/189Nm motor, and a larger 61kWh unit producing 174hp and the same 189Nm of torque. The bigger battery delivers a claimed range of up to 543km, while the smaller one is rated at 440km on a single charge (both ARAI figures). With Ebella’s launch, Toyota’s India line-up will have petrol, CNG, diesel, hybrid and fully electric models. 

The company is backing the EV with over 500 EV-enabled service touchpoints, an 8-year battery warranty, a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) rental option and a 60 percent buyback assurance scheme. In the market, it will compete with models such as the Hyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra BE 6 and Vinfast VF6.

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/3TMvZ7f