The year 2023 saw the launches of a number of new cars in the country. However, there were a few cars that also got discontinued. If you are one of those who would like to have a recap of cars that are no longer available, this list is for you. Following are the 7 cars that have been discontinued, and after that is the list of 3 cars that will be making a comeback in the coming future. So without any further delay, here’s the full list.
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800
The first and one of the most popular cars in India on this list to get discontinued is the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800. This tiny hatchback, which was Maruti Suzuki India Limited’s most affordable offering, was discontinued back in April of this year. The company stated that the demand for the entry-level hatchback segment is decreasing, and making the engine compliant to the BS6 Phase 2 norms did not seem financially viable to them. Hence, this iconic car was discontinued by the brand. The Alto 800 was launched back in 2012, and during its 11-year stint, it found 17 lakh homes in India.
Mahindra Alturas G4
By the end of 2022, Mahindra Automotive, which is the largest SUV manufacturer in India, discontinued its then flagship SUV – Alturas G4. This SUV used to compete in the full-size premium ladder-on-frame chassis SUV segment against the mighty Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster. However, due to poor sales, it was axed from the Mahindra lineup. It was then replaced by the current flagship of the Mahindra brand, the XUV700. The Alturas G4 was built in partnership with the Korean automaker SsangYong. At the time, it came powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine that made a maximum power of 181 bhp and 420 Nm of peak torque.
Skoda Superb
The Czech automaker Skoda, in June of this year, discontinued its flagship luxury sedan, the Superb. According to reports, this luxury saloon was discontinued from the Indian market as it came equipped with the EA888 evo3 powertrain, which did not comply with the latest BS6 Phase 2 emission norms. The reports added that Skoda did not go the route of replacing it with the evo4 powertrain as it was not feasible. So because of this hassle, the company went ahead and axed the model entirely from its lineup.
Skoda Octavia
Before discontinuing the Superb in India, Skoda had already pulled the plug on its D-segment sedan – the Octavia. The reason for its discontinuation was also the same as the Superb. The Skoda Octavia was available with only a petrol engine in the country. It came with the EA888 evo3 DQ381-7F drivetrain, which was not compliant with the new BS-6 emission norms. Like the Superb, updating the evo3 drivetrain to evo4 meant more investment, and Skoda did not see this as a financially viable option; hence, this popular sedan was removed from its lineup and website.
Honda Jazz
After years of lackluster sales, the Japanese automotive giant Honda finally pulled the plug on its only hatchback in India – the Jazz. The primary reason for its discontinuation was the implementation of the more stringent BS-6 emission norms. At the moment, the Honda lineup in India does not offer any hatchback, and it seems like the company is not going to launch a new hatchback anytime soon in the Indian subcontinent. Recently, it announced that it will be implementing an SUV offensive strategy in India.
Honda WR-V
In addition to the Honda Jazz, the company also discontinued its crossover SUV WR-V, which was based on the Jazz. The reasons for its discontinuation were also the same. The WR-V also suffered from poor sales, and its engine was also not compliant with the new BS-6 emission norms. Honda did not find it suitable to update its powertrain with the new RDE regulations and hence was removed from its India portfolio. The WR-V came equipped with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine making around 97 bhp and 200 Nm of torque.
Kia Carnival
Earlier in June of this year, the South Korean automaker Kia also officially discontinued its premium MPV Carnival. Reports at the time stated that dealers stopped taking fresh reservations for the Carnival since April after the implementation of the BS-6 emission norms. However, the handful of leftover stock was getting delivered to customers who had booked this MPV.
3 of these cars will be making a return
Skoda Superb
Now, as mentioned in the headline, three of the above-mentioned cars will be making their comebacks in the Indian market. The first will be the Skoda Superb luxury sedan. It will be launched as a CBU (Completely built unit) model and will come with an updated 2.0-liter TSI engine, which will produce around 190 bhp and will come paired with a 7-speed DSG gearbox.
Skoda Octavia
In additional to the Superb, Skoda will also be relaunching the brand-new iteration of the Octavia sedan in India. Reports have suggested that the company will be offering it with a hybrid drivetrain. However, this hybrid Octavia will be brought into the country in limited numbers. According to reports, it will be offered with an 89 kWh battery pack which will offer an impressive range of 595 km. A traditional petrol-powered Octavia will also make its debut in the country.
Kia Carnival
Apart from the Skoda siblings, the premium MPV Kia Carnival will also be making a return to the Indian car market. It will come with an all-new exterior and interior design. At the moment, the exact drivetrain that will be offered in India is unknown. However, prior to its discontinuation, the Carnival came equipped with a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generated a maximum of 197 Bhp and 440 Nm of peak torque. It was available with an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard.
