The year of 2019 posed a lot of challenges for the Nepalese auto industry. Nonetheless, 2019 saw a large number of launches with breakthrough models. Like 2019, the year of 2020 will also see a significant number of launches in Nepal and here, we list out the cars which have us excited and we really look forward to driving them.

Tata Nexon EV:

The much-anticipated, fully electric Tata Nexon EV made its global debutearlier this month. While it is not the company's first electric car (that was the Tigor EV) the Nexon EV is, in fact, the first of the new-generation electric vehicles, which will use the new Ziptron electric powertrain technology. The Nexon EV uses a 30.2 kWh battery offering a maximum range of over 300 km on a single charge. The new electric powertrain in the Nexon EV puts out 245 Nm of peak torque, enough to clock triple digit speeds in 9.9 seconds. The battery can be charged up to 80 per cent in 60 mins using a fast charger while it will take 8 hours to do the same using a home charger. 

Tata Altroz:

Along with the Tata Nexon EV, the other big launch from the company will be the Tata Altroz. Billed as Tata's first premium hatchback. There will be a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine on offer and both engine options will get a 5-speed manual gearbox. The top-end variant of the car will come with projector headlamps, LED DRLs, fog lamps (front and rear), and rear defogger. The cabin comes with a 4-way adjustable driver seat and 2-way adjustable front passenger seat. The cabin also gets a 7-inch TFT colour display with media & navigation from Harman. The system will also come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, video playback and more. In terms of safety features, the car will come with dual airbags, seatbelt reminder, speed sensing auto door lock, engine immobiliser, ISOFIX child seat mounts, cornering fog lamps.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Petrol:

The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza was introduced in 2016 and has remained largely unchanged ever since with strong sales numbers as well. The company is all set to launch the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza petrol, possibly at the 2020 Auto Expo. In fact, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza petrol has spied testing in India as well. The mid lifecycle refresh brings a new twin-slat chrome grille, reworked bumper with a brushed aluminium insert and revised fog lamps. The headlamps also receive tweaks and get new LED DRLs and could be upgraded to LED bulbs as well.

Hyundai Aura:

Hyundai will kick-start 2020 with the launch of the Hyundai Aura, in January 2020. The Aura is basically the new-generation model of the Xcent and it takes its styling cues from the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. Hyundai will offer two petrol motors and 1 diesel engine and all will be BS6 compliant right upon launch. Up first is a 1.2-litre petrol which pumps out 82 bhp and 114 Nm. There will be a 5-speed manual and AMT option on this car. There will be another, more powerful petrol engine unit, which will be a 1-litre turbo that churns out 99 bhp and 172 Nm. It will get only a 5-speed manual gearbox. A 1.2-litre diesel will be available too with 74 bhp and 190 Nm of peak torque on tap. 

New-Generation Honda City:

The fifth-generation Honda City has finally broken cover as the C-segment sedan made its global debut at a special event in Thailand. The all-new offering looks evolutionary over the outgoing version, playing on the strengths of the current model while improving on space, quality and powertrain. The 2020 Honda City gets a turbocharged motor this time for the Thai market to meet the local Eco Car Phase 2 regulations, and this motor is likely to remain limited to the South East Asian markets. Expect the new City to get new petrol and diesel engines which will be powerful and efficient as well.

New-Generation Hyundai Creta:

The best selling Hyundai Creta compact SUV is all set to get its second generation. The next gen Hyundai Creta will have the same powertrains as the Kia Seltos. So expect a BS6 compliant range - a 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel, as well as the 140 bhp, 1.4-litre turbo GDI petrol with an optional 7-Speed DCT (dual clutch transmission). The three engine types will come with a 6-Speed manual gearbox. The diesel is expected with an option of a 6-Speed torque convertor automatic too. The car is expected to sport a 6-airbag top spec across engines, though side impact protection, dual airbags, ABS (anti-lock brakes) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution) is expected to be standard. 

Tata Gravitas:

Tata Motors recently announced the name of its upcoming flagship SUV, Tata Gravitas. Slated to be launched in February 2020, the new SUV will essentially be the 7-seater version of the Tata Harrier, of course with a host of cosmetic and design updates to accommodate those two extra seats and to give it a fresher look. The Gravitas will be powered the same Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that powers the Harrier, although the exact power and torque figures haven't been announced yet. 

New-Gen Mahindra XUV500:    

Mahindra will have a busy 2020 and one of the biggest draws will be the new-generation XUV500, which is expected to be launched sometime in the middle of 2020. We believe the new XUV500 will get significant updates to the looks and design and the interior will see improvements as well. Apart from that, Mahindra will offer a BS6 compliant diesel engine and the car will employ an all-new platform as well. 

MG ZS Electric SUV:

After the success of the Hector, MG is all set to launch the ZS electric SUV , in the month of January 2020. It gets a 44.5 kWh battery pack that promises a range of 340 km on a single charge. The lithium-ion unit can be charged up to 80 per cent in 40 minutes with a 50 kW DC charger, or takes up to seven hours with a standard 7.4 kW charger. The company will provide a 7.4 kWh charger in all of the ZS EV cars. The battery-powered synchronous motor can develop 141 bhp and 353 Nm of peak torque and it can do a 0-100 kmph sprint in just 8 seconds. 

Skoda Karoq:

Skoda and Volkswagen have planned a SUV onslaught for 2020 and leading the charge will be the Skoda Karoq, which will be launched in April 2020. Upon launch which could be either the 1-litre TSI unit with 113 bhp and 175 Nm of peak torque or a 1.5-litre TSI with 148 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque, both of which are already sold on the SUV in other markets. In terms of tech, the Skoda Karoq will be loaded to the gills with a large touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstered seats with black or beige-black cabin options.