August 2026 Is Turning Into One of the Craziest Months for Car Launches in India
If you are planning to buy a new car this month, trust me, the timing could not have been better. July was already a busy month, with the Brezza facelift, new Toyota Hilux, Nissan Tekton and Honda ZR-V being launched one after another. And now, August looks set to be even more exciting, with Mahindra, Skoda, MG and Volvo all bringing their new cars to the Indian market.
The action has already started. On August 3, MG launched the special "Couture Edition" of the Cyberster and M9, created in collaboration with fashion designer Gaurav Gupta. These are not mass-market cars, with only 50 units of each model planned for sale, exclusively through MG's premium "Select" showrooms. So, if exclusivity is what you are looking for, these cars certainly fit the category. But if you are looking for something practical, these may not be for you.
The real excitement is expected on August 15, when Mahindra will make two major reveals at its Independence Day event. The first is its new concept, the Vision S, which looks like a boxy and rugged SUV and is based on the company's new NU_IQ platform. The platform is said to be highly flexible, supporting petrol, diesel and electric powertrains, along with both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations.
The second reveal will be the Scorpio N facelift, which has already started reaching dealerships. There will reportedly be no changes to the engine options, but the cabin and exterior will receive several updates. These include new dual-tone alloy wheels, a redesigned centre console with repositioned AC vents, a tablet-style infotainment screen mounted above the console, and a new digital driver display.
Just three days later, around August 18, Skoda is expected to introduce the facelifted Slavia. The sedan was launched in 2022, so an update was due, especially since its sibling, the Kushaq, has already received its facelift.
The updated Slavia is expected to get an illuminated grille, redesigned front and rear bumpers, new alloy wheels, updated LED tail-lamps and some changes to the headlamp design. It will also feature a larger touchscreen infotainment system. One of the most interesting additions could be a massage function for the rear seats, which is quite rare in this price segment.
The engine options are expected to remain unchanged, with the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre TSI petrol engines continuing. However, there is a possibility that the smaller engine could also be offered with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
And if you follow electric cars, Volvo's EX90 is also expected to make its India appearance this month. It is essentially the electric counterpart to the XC90 and will become Volvo's third EV in India after the XC40 Recharge and EX30.
The Indian pricing and specifications have not been confirmed yet. Globally, however, the EX90 is available in multiple configurations. One version gets a larger 106 kWh battery pack with dual motors and all-wheel drive. It produces 680 bhp and has a claimed range of up to 608 km. The other version gets a smaller 92 kWh battery with a single motor and rear-wheel drive, producing 333 bhp with a claimed range of up to 565 km.
Apart from these launches, MG could also introduce the Hector Hawk in India this month, which is expected to be based on the Wuling Starlight 560. Mahindra's Global Pik Up and the new Bolero are also expected to make an appearance around mid-August.
Honestly, the most interesting comparison this month could be between the Scorpio N facelift and the Slavia facelift. One is an updated SUV that is already heading towards dealerships, while the other is a sedan finally receiving an update that brings it closer to its sibling, the Kushaq.
However, if you want to get an idea of what Mahindra has planned for the future, the Vision S is the one to watch. It will provide the first real glimpse of the company's new platform and the products that could be built around it.
We will bring you detailed reviews, specifications and pricing breakdowns after every major launch, so stay tuned for all the latest updates.