3 most awaited hatchbacks of 2014

In an automobile market like India, where most of the sales come from entry level segments, an automaker must have some really good affordable cars in its fleet. Maruti and Hyundai are top of the game because their focus have been more on to producing cars for masses, and not the classes. So, to enter the territory ruled by Maruti, Hyundai, and breaking their sales is surely a tricky task, but not impossible.

Also read: Below-Rs 10 lakh compact SUVs coming in 2014

We have recently seen how the new-generation Honda City in no-time triumphed over the segment-leader Hyundai Verna. But then I can talk about several incidents, when many automakers tried challenging these top players, but failed miserably. So, where they lacked? well, in my opinion, it's not only good products that bring constant sales for a carmaker, the after-sales service is what makes the difference. A person buying a new car first sees the availability of service centres and the cost of ownership. So, if an automaker is bang-on in these departments, more are the chances to do well.

In this article, I'll talk about three most anticipated cars of this year, which according to me will be game-changers for the industry.

New-generation Honda Jazz

First on my list is the new-generation Honda Jazz, which is no-doubt one of the most-awaited cars of this year. Jazz in its first-generation was an under-performer (in terms of sales), which compelled Honda to discontinue it. If I have to point out two factors that went against this really-capable product in its first generation are - price and unavailability in diesel engine. The car was launched at a much higher price than regular B+ segment hatchbacks, and despite reduction in the price at a later stage, the company could not change people's perception about this car of being a 'really expensive hatchback'.

Honda seems to have worked on both these factors this time. The new-gen model is expected to come at a price in-line with the Swift, and it will also have a diesel engine. Powering this hatchback will be the same 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel mill, which also does duty in the Honda Amaze and 2014 City.

Expected launch: Mid 2014

Tata Bolt

Second on my list of the most-awaited hatchbacks is the Tata Bolt that the company revealed in Feburary, this year and said to launch it by mid 2014. The reason why I consider this to be a really important product is because of an entirely new design it carries. With this product, Tata finally gave up on its outdated design, and showed us something actually 'new'.

Tata Zest and Bolt are the company's global products, which are designed keeping the global requirements in mind. Both of these products are designed taking inputs from the three Tata Motors design studios in Pune, Coventry (UK) and Turin ( Italy). The new design semantics include new Tata signature grille with new 'Humanity Line', visually flowing into the headlmaps. A roof spoiler and fog lamp bezels add more to the hatchback's sporty quotient.

What's also new is the petrol engine that this car will have. The Bolt will be powered by an all-new turbocharged intercooled multi-point fuel-injected (MPFi) petrol engine - REVOTRON 1.2T, which churns out a maximum power output of 83.8bhp. However, the diesel engine will be the same Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre multijet diesel mill, mated to a Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).

Expected launch: June-July, 2014

2014 Maruti Swift facelift

Now when almost all the automakers are doing preparations to take on the segment leader Swift, Maruti Suzuki too is ready with the updated version of its hatchback. Expected to be launched during the festive season, this year, the 2014 Swift will receive some cosmetic changes and more features this time.

Read: Three cars that Maruti will launch this year

While the overall design of the car will remain almost unchanged to the existing model, new L-shaped LEDs, revised fog lamps and bumper with silver detailing will give it a new face. The top-end variant of the car might feature 16-inch alloy wheels, while the non-alloy wheel models might come with new wheel covers. The company might also introduce the car in a new 'boost blue' metallic shade. Other than the blue-stitching on the seats and auto-up touch function for the passenger's window, there will be no changes inside the cabin. Mechanically too, the car will remain unchanged.

Expected launch: Festive season