India’s status as the most promising emerging markets of the world got a major shot in arm at the Auto Expo, with all major manufacturers showing production ready cars and concepts headed for production. Also on display were a couple of concepts that made its global debut here at the Expo.
Here's the list of the 25 cars you just can't miss at the 2012 Auto Expo:
1. Toyota Camry 2012
The bold new Camry has been unveiled at the Auto Expo. The Japanese carmaker plans to assemble it from CKD kits so prices should drop considerably. A more refined 2.5-litre 174bhp VVT-i petrol engine mated to new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be the other changes to the Camry.
2. Ford EcoSport concept
This is the new global vehicle from Ford. The five-door EcoSport gets chunky, technical styling, and a very space-efficient interior. A large trapezoidal front grille dominates the front end and the overall styling has SUV written all over it. Power comes from the all-new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine.
3. Chevrolet Sail
The Sail is a sub 4-metre hatchback (overall length is 3947mm) that is scheduled to go on sale in mid-2012. While styling may not break new ground, the Sail is quite pleasing to look at. The Sail comes with a 81bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine, a diesel motor will join later.
4. Chevrolet MPV
Another strong contender for the Indian market is the Chevrolet ‘MPV’, this will the second model to be added to the Chevy line-up by mid-2012. While styling may be inoffensive, the MPV’s ability to seat seven (or eight depending on configuration) will be its biggest selling point. The MPV will be sold initially with a 94.6bhp, 1.4-litre petrol engine.
5. BMW M5
BMW’s all new M5 sport saloon takes centerstage at the BMW stall. Like all previous M5s, the new car's styling is subtle but aggressive in its details, most notably the lower air intakes – three gaping ducts to flow cool air into the radiator. The M5 features a twin-turbo, 4.4-litre V8 that offers 552bhp and 69.4kgm of max torque, and the sports saloon can hit 100kph in 4.4 seconds, and 200kph in 13sec (manufacturer’s claims).
6. Mini Cooper S
This is the sportier and more powerful version of the Mini hatchback. The Cooper S features a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger. Power is 184bhp at 5500rpm while max torque of 24.47kgm is produced between 1600-5000rpm. The Mini Cooper S has been priced at Rs 27.9 lakh.
7. Audi A3 E-Tron
Green credentials are a must these days, so to balance out masses of horsepower on display at the Audi stall is the A3 E-Tron concept. The sleek and sexy plug-in hybrid has a 211bhp 1.4-litre TFSI motor coupled with a 27bhp electric motor.
8. Audi Q3
Audi will the Q3 compact SUV later this year with a base 2.0-litre TFSI petrol and a 2.0 TDi to compete head-on with the BMW X1. The Q3 will be assembled at Aurangabad and will come with front wheel drive and all wheel drive variants.
9. Skoda RS2000
Skoda has the enviable distinction of being the manufacturer with the most number of rally victories especially in the non-modified or N category. Of late, their S2000 rally cars have also been a big success and the RS 2000 concept car is something of a celebration. The RS 2000 has four doors and four seats, interestingly, despite being a convertible and also has some unique styling bits.
10. Tata Pixel
One of the main showstoppers at the Tata stall is the radical Pixel concept. Designed in-house by Tata, the Pixel incorporates scissor doors and a large glass area and a panoramic roof. It gets a unique rear-wheel counter-steering system that gives helps with a turning radius of just 2.6 metres. The Pixel will form the basis of the next-gen Tata Nano, which is expected not before 2015.
11. Tata Safari Storme
Taking centrestage at the Tata stand is the Safari Storme. The Storme is not an all-new Safari but a thoroughly revised version of the existing SUV. Among the biggest changes to the vehicle is the adoption of Tata's modern X2 platform that also underpins the Aria. The interiors have received a makeover too with a revised dashboard design and plastics that seem to have improved in quality.
12. Volkswagen XL1 Concept
Volkswagen has showcased this low-drag, teardrop-shaped concept called the XL1. According to the company, it has an insane fuel consumption figure of 111kpl! A two-cylinder 1.0-litre TDI motor developing 48bhp coupled with a 27bhp electric motor and a drag coefficient of 0.186 helps it attain this feat.
13. SsangYong XIV1
The XIV-1 Concept is SsangYong’s vision of its next-gen crossover that will accentuate the company’s design and engineering talents. While it may be like an SUV in appearance, the powertrain promises to deliver running costs closer to that of the average family hatchback.
14. Peugeot RCZ
This 2+2 coupe’s highlight is definitely the heavily sloping, curvy ‘double-bubble roof which gives it a sporty air. It’s powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine in different states of tune making up to 200bhp. A diesel is also available which produces 163bhp.
15. Peugeot 508
The French carmaker has showcased this stylish 508 saloon which made its international debut two years ago. The 508 will be the flagship model when it is launched here and is expected to be powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine. It is as spacious as the Honda Accord and given its classy styling, space and diesel powerplant option, it should be a great model for Peugeot to start with.
16. Ferrari California
A fourth model series for Ferrari - and the first new production Ferrari with no direct antecedent since the Dino 206GT was launched in 1968. It is, says Ferrari, a convertible, a GT and a sports car all under one retractable hard top roof. It is Ferrari’s first ever front-engined, V8 road car, the first with a directly injected engine, the first with seven gears, and the first with a double clutch transmission. In short and for Ferrari, it is a revolution.
17. Maruti XA Alpha concept
Maruti has taken the wraps of the XA Alpha compact SUV concept at the Auto Expo. The concept points to a new model that will join Maruti’s line-up most probably by next year. The XA Alpha is built on the new Swift platform and overall length measures 4000mm. The four-metre length makes the XA Alpha eligible for a lower rate of excise duty for small cars.
18. Maruti Ertiga
The Ertiga is Maruti’s first attempt at the family MPV segment. Based on an extended Swift platform, the Ertiga carries much of the the Maruti family look. Maruti has extended the Swift wheelbase to 2740mm and this has allowed the inclusion of a third row of seats. The Ertiga can seat seven passengers in a 2+3+2 layout and will come with a new K-series petrol or 1.3 diesel motor.
19. Mercedes SLS GT3
The racing version of the SLS AMG has been conceived as a customer sport vehicle for participation in race series based on FIA GT3 regulations. The extra special Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will make its race track debut in 2011. As defined in the FIA GT3 regulations, the AMG 6.3 liter V8 engine is virtually identical to that of the series production vehicle. Thanks to its low weight, the acceleration figures for the GT3 - 3.7 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100kph.
20. Mercedes Concept A-class
Undoubtedly the star of the Mercedes-Benz pavilion is the Concept A-class – a hatchback that previews the forthcoming design direction the brand is going to take. Built on the same MFA platform as the B-class that will soon be launched in India, the Concept A-class is likely to be sold in India in saloon form. And a swanky saloon it will be.
21. Mercedes S-class Pullman Guard
Also on display at the Mercedes stall is the S600 Pullman Guard armoured limousine. This gargantuan V12 limo is about as luxurious as a Mercedes can get, but it is also as tough as a tank, achieving VR6 and VR7 safety ratings – the highest currently possible.
22. Hyundai Hexa Space
The Hexa Space, is a global debut for Hyundai and points towards a production model in the future. The talking point is the car’s eight-person seating layout which uses two rows of three slightly staggered seats at the front, and a conventional two-seat bench at the rear.
23. Hyundai new Elantra
23. Hyundai new Elantra
This is Hyundai’s stylish answer to the Honda Civic. Like the smaller Verna, the new Elantra also gets Hyundai’s smooth but aggressive ‘Fluidic Sculpture Design ’, and will come with a 1.8-litre petrol or diesel motor. Again, interior styling is far from ordinary with a striking fascia that is dominated by a multimedia screen. In typical Hyundai fashion, the saloon should come very well specced so the Elantra will impress on the VFM scale too.
24. Nissan Evalia
Nissan has unveiled the Indian-built Evalia multi-purpose vehicle at the Expo, the car we previously knew only as the NV200. Built on Nissan’s B-platform, the Evalia is a seven-seater with a 2+3+2 configuration. Powering the MPV will be the familiar 1.5-litre dCi turbo-diesel engine from the Sunny diesel.
25. Renault Duster
This is Renault’s mid-size crossover, the Duster. It is based on the same platform as the Logan (now Mahindra Verito). The Duster is not an all-out off-roader and comes only as a two-wheel-drive version. Interior space is impressive and, just like on the Logan, ride quality is expected to be nice as well. It will come with Renault's K9K diesel engine in two different states of tune and will have five different trim levels.
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