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Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) has become a key addition in the product portfolio for most manufacturers and we can see the trend catching up. With people preferring automatic transmission variants to manual, the effectiveness of the AMT is clearly seen in the burgeoning sales figures of the cars in this segment.

·         Automated Manual Transmission seeing increased demand

·         Most carmakers have equipped their products with AMT technology

·         Two budget hatchbacks are set to get AMT units

While there are already quite a few cars in India equipped with AMT, there are a few more lined up, which will hit our markets soon. Here are 5 cars that will soon come equipped with an AMT.

1. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza AMT

Maruti Suzuki was among the first to introduce the AMT in their cars and the Celerio was among the first to receive it. The transmission then went into the Alto K10 and even the Dzire. But the company said then that it'll equip the AMT in more cars and the next big one to receive it will be the Vitara Brezza. Word has it that the plan is to bring the AMT variant of the car by the end of 2016 but it may stretch considering the unavailability of the gearbox.

Interestingly, our sources tell us the automaker is working on producing its own Automated Manual Transmission system. If this is indeed true, it is likely to bring down Maruti Suzuki cars' cost. However, Maruti Suzuki dismissed the report and added that it is content with its current supplier for AMT units - Magneti Marelli, and has no immediate plan to switch.

The Maruti Vitara Brezza AMT will remain unchanged mechanically; it will continue to derive power from the same 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine that, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, develops 89bhp and delivers 200Nm of maximum torque.

Expected Price: ? 9.90 Lakh - 11 Lakh
Expected Launch: End Of 2016

2. Renault Lodgy AMT

Renault is the latest carmaker in India to add an AMT model to its line-up with thenew Duster facelift. Christened as 'Easy-R' the new AMT unit from Renault will be catering to a number of cars in the company's future line-up and the Lodgy will be one of these upcoming cars. Currently every MPV sold in India offers the option of an AMT or and automatic gearbox, which makes Renault Lodgy the only car in its segment to not get one. Understanding the need of the hour, Renault is currently working on an AMT version of the Lodgy that will go on sale later this year in India. The MPV will use the same Easy-R automated manual transmission as available on the Duster.

Expected Price - ? 10 lakh - ? 12 lakh
Expected Launch - Second Half of 2016

3. Renault Kwid AMT

Equipped with an array of best-in-class features, the all-new Renault Kwid is currently the most stylish and practical entry level hatchback in the market. Now for 2016, Renault India is planning to update the car with some additional features and one of key offerings will be an AMT unit. The company has already rolled out a more powerful version of the KWID and well the AMT will just add to the feature list. The company has plans to sell 1 lakh cars in 2016 and having already sold 87000 units till August 2016, the AMT version of the car will add to those numbers and certainly take Renault to the finish line.
 
Expected Price - Rs 3 lakh - Rs 5 lakh
Expected Launch - Second Half of 2016

4. Datsun Redi-GO AMT

Launched at Rs 2.38 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) the new entrant in the budget segment, Datsun Redi-GO looks promising featuring a curvy design and quirky styling. Under the hood, redi-GO gets the same 799cc, 53 bhp petrol engine that powers Kwid and transmission duties are taken care of by a five-speed manual unit.Datsun will add an AMT variant to the line-up around the last quarter of current fiscal, the AMT unit will most likely be borrowed from Kwid which is expected to get the Easy-R AMT variant before festive season.
 
Expected Price:  Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh
Expected Launch: Last quarter of current fiscal

5. Tata Tiago AMT

Opened to a good response, Tata Tiago is emerging as a strong contender in its segment backed by aggressive pricing, impressive mileage, refreshing looks and some of the segment first features. Underpinning the modified Indica platform, Tiago is available with a choice of two engines-1.2 litre, three cylinder Revotron petrol and 1.05 litre, three cylinder Revotorq diesel engine. Both the engines come paired to a five-speed manual transmission. Missing out on the AMT unit, the hatchback will get a AMT variant either by end of this year or early next year. The AMT transmission could be the same that is available on the Zest compact sedan.
 
Expected Price: Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh
Expected Launch: 2016 end of early 2017