Chevrolet MPV will be called ‘Enjoy’

‘MPV’ name plate shown at Expo was only a temporary name. Will go on sale mid-2012, petrol powered version will be offered initially.

Chevrolet unveiled its much-awaited MPV based on the Chinese Wuling CN-100 at the Auto Expo in New Delhi. But while that car carried name plates that simply read ‘MPV’, it was only a working title, and Autocar India has learned that the seven-seater will be called ‘Enjoy’ by the time it goes on sale in mid 2012.

The Enjoy will first be launched with a 94.6bhp 1.4-litre petrol, but will get a 1.3-litre SDE diesel – GM’s version of Fiat’s Multijet – at the beginning of next year. GM is hoping to undercut rivals like the Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo by a huge margin – targeting a starting price of under Rs 6 lakh.

Autocar India Awards 2012

                                                                                                  Car of the Year – Maruti Suzuki Swift

The Swift won our Car of the Year in 2005. And it wins it yet again this time. Though the new Swift looks exactly like the old model, this car is a grounds-up new generation of the Swift. This model is based on an all-new platform and is now both longer and wider. The Swift’s interior styling, which is heavily borrowed from its Kizashi sibling, is now plusher.

The car is now sportier to drive and the 1.2 K-series petrol gets variable valve timing (VVT) to bump up power to 86bhp. The 74bhp 1.3 diesel Multi-jet engine remains largely unchanged but the carmaker’s effort to make the cabin a quieter place is evident. Maruti Suzuki has taken an already good car and made it even better by ironing out the flaws in the older car. Despite stiff competition this year from among nearly all the world’s majors, Maruti Suzuki’s new Swift shows the competition a clean pair of heels to pick up the prestigious award of the Bloomberg-UTV Autocar Car of the Year 2012.

Bike of the Year – Honda CBR250R

The Honda CBR250R came like a breath of fresh air for Indian motorcycle enthusiasts long stuck between underpowered city commuters and horrendously expensive imported superbikes. Here was a motorcycle that offered great styling, zippy performance, street-friendly handling with a price tag that did not need you to mortgage your house. The CBR250R has all the big bike visual cues with its VFR 1200 inspired headlamp and CBR1000RR fairing. It ticks all the right boxes in the design and styling department. For its combination of style, performance, streetfriendly handling as well as advanced technology at a decent price, the Honda CBR250R is the Bike of the Year.

Compact Car of the Year – Maruti Suzuki Swift

The Swift was already a favourite in the competitive compact car market. And the new Swift promises to continue Maruti Suzuki’s winning streak. Though the new Swift looks the same as the old car, it is a completely new model built on a new platform. Ride and handling have been tweaked and they are even better now. The new Swift is larger, more spacious, delivers better performance, has better driver dynamics and gives you enhanced fuel economy. The Swift, always a great car, is now even better and is quite definitely the Best Compact Car of the Year.

Mid-size Saloon of the Year – Skoda Rapid

Under the skin the Skoda Rapid is a VW Vento. However, dig deeper and the Rapid proves to be much more than a Volkswagen clone. Skoda has ironed out many of the Vento’s shortcomings. The diesel engine is more linear but just as punchy, the shorter geared petrol now works much better and ride and handling are much improved as well. Spacious, fast, frugal, reasonably well-built and good value, the Rapid has a lot going for it. In fact, it actually beats its twin to win the crown of the mid-size saloon Car of the Year.

SUV of the Year – Mahindra XUV500

The XUV500, designed and developed completely in-house, is a quantum leap forward by Mahindra & Mahindra – it’s the company’s first serious attempt at developing a global product. The price at which Mahindra has launched the SUV makes it shattering value-for money. You get a lot of car for the price. You get a fantastic-looking SUV that dominates the road with its presence. An excellent package makes the XUV500 a worthy winner.

Winners for the rest of the categories are as follows:

Best Styling & Design – Hyundai Verna

Best Value for Money – Mahindra XUV500

Best Variant of the Year – Chevrolet Beat Diesel

Best Driver's car – Ford Fiesta

Manufacturer of the Year – Toyota

Technology and Innovation award –  Audi A8

Sub-compact car of the Year – Honda Brio

Best Compact car of the Year – Maruti Suzuki Swift

Best Saloon car of the Year –  Skoda Rapid

Best Executive Saloon of the Year – VW Jetta

Luxury Saloon of the Year – Audi A6

SUV of the Year – Mahindra XUV500

Luxury SUV of the Year – BMW X3

Best Automobile Ad of the Year – Volkswagen Jetta 'Flyboy'

Bike of the Year 2012 – Honda CBR250R

Premium Bike of the Year – Kawasaki Ninja 650R

Import Bike of the Year – BMW K 1600 GTL

Green Car Award – VW Passat for BlueMotion technology

Man of the Year – Pawan Goenka

Viewer's choice award - CAR – Mahindra XUV500

Viewer's choice award - BIKE – Honda CBR250R

TVS radeon bike to be launched soon

After a rather silent 2011, TVS Motors is readying itself for an onslaught on the market with a renewed vigor. At the auto expo, the company announced plans to launch four new products this year. These will include a new 125cc executive commuter motorcycle in June 2012.

The Victor name is also destined to make a comeback, after a hiatus of four years, in the form of a 110cc motorcycle which is expected to go on sale on November or December this year. For the scooter segment, TVS will introduce a 125cc scooter to join the current range. The scooter is expected to go on sale in November.

The big news though is that TVS will introduce a hybrid scooter, Qube which was showcased at the last Auto Expo, in June 2012. An initial test launch of 200 scooters will take place initially. A full commercial launch is expected to take place in 2013. Although technical details are scarce, what we do know is that the Qube will be powered by a 100cc engine and Lithium-ion batteries.

The current cost per unit for the hybrid scooter stands between Rs 65,000 to Rs 70,000, which is as much as some motorcycles. With a test launch TVS wants to gauge how much more are buyers willing to pay for new technology over the current crop. The Qube is expected to return close to 70kmpl in city riding conditions and will also have reduced carbon emissions. The scooter will also have two ride modes, namely Economy and Power. As the names suggest, the engine and electric motor work in tandem to either provide the best economy or acceleration.

Auto Expo 2012 - full report

Autocar India’s A-Z of the 2012 Auto Expo is the next best thing to being there. Listed here are details and photographs of every significant car and bike at the show. And just so you can navigate through this maze easily, we’ve listed manufacturers in alphabetical order and provided you with links so that you can click directly through to the detailed stories.

This may be the biggest Expo yet, but we’ve covered every inch of the floor space, from compact SUVs, MPVs and hatchbacks, to performance cars, full-size SUVs and supercars – and a long list of international bikes as well. So go ahead, feast your eyes on some of the most interesting and attractive cars headed to India in the near future.

Ashok Leyland

Ashok Leyland revealed its version of Nissan’s ‘NV200’ people mover, the Stile Concept. The car gets an all-new nose, low-cost interiors and will be positioned differently from the Nissan Evalia. The Stile will be targeted at the utility end of the market. It is expected to be priced around the same range as the Xylo, but will lack features such as ABS and airbags. The Stile will be powered by the same 1.5-litre diesel engine that does duty in the Logan.

Audi

Audi showcased its Q3 compact SUV at the Auto Expo. The company will offer the Q3 with both front-wheel and four-wheel-drive options. Prices are likely to be competitive and to lower costs, Audi will assemble the Q3 at Skoda and VW’s Aurangabad facility. Apart from the Q3, Audi also showcased the A3 E-Tron as well as a lineup of regular production cars that included its range of saloons, SUVs and sports cars. 

Bajaj

Bajaj Auto displayed its first low-cost, four wheeled city vehicle at the expo – although its basic platform and design means it’s more rickshaw-replacement than passenger car. The lightweight RE60 aims to set a new benchmark in areas of fuel-efficiency and emissions. It features 2+2 or 1+3 seating layout options, a 44-litre boot and a top speed of 70kph. Prices will be revealed closer to when production of the car begins in a few months. 

Bosch

Bosch announced at the Auto Expo its plans to invest Rs 2,200 crore in India in 2012 and 2013. This amount, spent over a two-year period, will focus on capacity augmentation, diversification and new technology development, like low-cost versions of many high-tech systems. The investment will be funded internally and through surplus generated from its India business.

BMW

The German carmaker has launched its powerful new M5 saloon. The M5 is powered by a twin-turbo, 4.4-litre V8 that pumps out 552bhp and 64.9kgm of torque. The four-door supercar has been priced at Rs 95.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Also on display is the Mini range, including the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Countryman. The BMW-owned manufacturer will bring its four-model offering to India as CBUs.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet is all-set to kick off its Wulling-based SAIC endeavour with its MPV – known as the CN100 in China – and the Sail hatchback. Chevrolet unveiled the facelifted ‘Neo3’ Tavera and an updated Captiva as well. The Captiva gets a design upgrade and will get a new 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The Tavera gets a new bold exterior profile and will be powered by an ICML-sourced BS IV-compliant 2.0-litre CRDI engine. 

Ducati

The Auto Expo saw the Indian launch of Ducati’s naked superbike, the Monster 795. What’s more is, due to the overwhelming response it received, Ducati decided to slash the price of the Monster by Rs 1 lakh and it is now available at an introductory limited-period price of Rs 5,99,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bookings have commenced but deliveries will only commence post March 2012.

Ford 

Ford revealed its all-new global compact SUV concept, the EcoSport. The EcoSport cleverly combines the charm of an SUV, the frugality of small engines, cutting-edge styling and a very affordable price-tag. It will debut with a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder, direct injection ‘EcoBoost’ turbo-petrol motor. It will also get the 1.5-litre diesel engine that currently does duty in the Fiesta. Ford also has on display its existing line-up, which includes its Fiesta saloon, the Endeavour and the Figo.

Hero MotoCorp

Newly christened Hero MotoCorp unveiled its concept scooter, the Leap, at the Auto Expo. The battery- and petrol-run scooter is still in its early days and Hero MotoCorp still has to finalise production dates for the Leap. Hero also showcased its 125cc bike, the Ignitor, along with its first 110cc bike, the Passion X Pro and its 110cc automatic scooter, the masculine Maestro.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooters India 

Honda came to the expo guns-a-blazing with a slew of launches. It launched its supersports CBR1000R and its Harley-challenger, the VT1300CX Fury. It also unveiled its new 110cc commuter bike, the Dream Yuga, which will hit showrooms in May 2012. The baby Fireblade, the CBR 150R, is headed for India and was displayed at the Expo alongside its big brother, the CBR 250R. Also at the Honda stall was the upgraded sporty Dio scooter.

Hyundai

Hyundai showcased its MPV concept, the Hexa Space (code-named HND-7), at the Expo. This 4.3-metre car is built on a 2750mm wheelbase and propulsion comes from a 1200cc turbocharged Kappa petrol motor. Hyundai also revealed the latest-gen Sonata executive saloon at the Expo. It is powered by a 198bhp, 2.4-litre petrol engine with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The Korean carmaker also showcased its new Elantra, which will take on the likes of the Honda Civic, Skoda Laura and Volkswagen Jetta, as well as the funky Veloster 2+2 coupe.

Jaguar Land Rover

Tata-owned JLR displayed a slew of its cars and concepts at the expo. Production cars included the face-lifted XF, the XJ and Jaguar’s most powerful production car yet, the wild 542bhp XKR-S. However, the pair of Jaguar concept cars, the C-X75 and the C-X16, was what made heads turn at the stall. Land Rover showed two DC-100 concept SUVs, one of which came with a stunning white roof that contrasted with the bright red lower half of the car, while the other had no roof at all.

Mahindra

The Auto Expo served as the launchpad for the Ssangyong brand in India. Taking centre-stand on the expansive Mahindra stand, the Ssangyong display included the soon-to-be-launched Rexton SUV, the stylish XIV-1 Concept, Actyon Sports dual-cab pick-up and a full-electric version of the Korando. Brand Mahindra had the two Reva electric cars on display, an electric Verito and of course, one of this year’s big stars, the XUV500.

Maruti

Maruti unveiled the XA Alpha compact SUV concept at the Auto Expo. A car that could be built on the new Swift platform, the Alpha looks every bit the compact SUV and with overall length at 4000mm, it is eligible for the lower rate of excise duty for small cars. Maruti will be offering the mini-SUV with its range of K-Series petrol engines and the 1.3-litre DDIS diesel engine. The eagerly anticipated Innova fighter, the Ertiga, is also on display. This seven-seater is also the launchpad for Maruti’s latest K-series petrol engine, the 1.4-litre K14.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz displayed a combination of concept, road and racing cars at the Auto Expo. Among the production models on display were the SLS AMG roadster supercar, the new, third-generation M-class and a customised S600 Pullman Guard armoured limousine. The star of the show however was the concept A-class - a hatchback that previews Merc’s forthcoming design direction for its family of MFA transverse-engined front-wheel drive cars. However, the first car off this platform to be launched in India will be the all-new B-class mini-MPV.

Nissan

Nissan unveiled the seven-seater Evalia MPV at the Auto Expo. Built on Nissan’s B-platform, this is the car we previously knew as the NV200. Powering the Evalia will be the 1.5-litre dCi turbo-diesel engine from the Sunny diesel. Production will start in the second half of 2012. Nissan is also showcasing its pioneering electric car, the Leaf and its powerful supercar the GT-R at the Auto Expo.

Piaggio

Piaggio Vehicles unveiled the a modern version of the iconic Vespa at the Expo. With its entry into the Indian market, Piaggio plans to create a premium segment for the Vespa brand, positioning it as a lifestyle product. The company might also consider introducing the Moto Guzzi 1200 Norge GT as a CBU in the coming months.

Peugeot

French carmaker Peugeot is set to re-enter the Indian car market soon and, at the Auto Expo, it gave us a look in to what to expect. The company showed its stylish 508 saloon, which will be its flagship in the Indian market. Also present at the Peugeot stall was the 3008 crossover, 3008 HYbrid4, RCZ sports coupe and its show-stopping, Le Mans-winning 908 diesel race car.

Renault

Renault unveiled the Duster midsize crossover at the Expo. It shares its platform with the Logan, so as you can imagine it’s not an all-out off-roader and will in fact be sold only with two-wheel drive in India. Renault has also launched its Micra-based hatch, the Pulse, at the Auto Expo.

Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield has launched its eagerly anticipated Thunderbird 500 at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi. The company is targeting touring enthusiasts with this cruiser. The bike gets distinctive ‘black’ styling and it is powered by a 500cc Unit Construction Engine (UCE) that makes 27.2bhp. Apart from the bikes on display, the Enfield stall includes biker apparel and riding accessories as well.

Skoda

Although no new models or variants were launched, the Fabia Monte Carlo and the RS 2000 concept did garner a lot of attention. The Monte Carlo Fabia is a tribute to 100 years of the Monte Carlo rally and 110 years of Skoda in motorsport. The company’s recent success in the S2000 rally series prompted Skoda to make a celebratory concept car, the RS 2000. Also on display at the Skoda stand are the company’s new Rapid saloon and Laura RS.

Suzuki

Suzuki showcased its new Hayate bike, powered by a 112.8cc, four-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It also showcased its Swish 125 scooter, which is targeted at the youth and gets a 124cc, four-stroke, variator-driven, single-cylinder engine that makes 8.58bhp at 7000rpm. 

Tata Motors

Tata unveiled its new Safari Storme at the Expo. The Storme isn’t an all-new Safari, but a thoroughly revised version of the existing one. It is powered by the 2.2-litre, 16-valve common-rail DiCOR engine on duty in other Tata cars. Tata also displayed the Manza hybrid concept, a series and parallel hybrid that uses a three-cylinder version of Tata’s 1.4-litre DiCOR engine, known as the 1.05 DiCOR. This three-cylinder engine is also expected to power the Vista at a later stage. A CNG version of the Nano is also on display. Tata is also showcasing its new range of next-gen commercial vehicles.

Toyota

Toyota has launched an array of products at this year’s Auto Expo. The list of launches includes the new Innova, new Fortuner and the new Land Cruiser 200. The new Innova gets redesigned interiors to make it more upmarket and a face-lift as well. The new face-lifted Fortuner now comes in 2WD automatic and manual variants alongside the 4x4 manual variant. Toyota also launched its Indian motorsport effort in the form of the one-make series, called ‘Etios Motor Racing’, which will launch only in 2013. It showcased the race-prepared Etios and Liva at the expo. Also on display at the stall are the new Camry, the updated Prius hybrid the rest of the company’s current range. 

Triumph

The British motorcycle maker had on display the seven bikes from its stable that are making their way to the Indian market. The range starts with its iconic 865cc Bonneville. The other bikes in the range include the Street Triple and Daytona 675, powered by 675cc inline three-cylinder motors and the Speed Triple, which gets a bigger 1050cc mill. Also on display are the Daytona 675, the Tiger 800XC and two cruisers – the 1700cc Thunderbird Storm and the 2300cc Rocket III.

TVS Motor Company

The bike-maker unveiled its hybrid concept scooter, the Qube, at the Auto Expo. The scooter however is still in its developmental stages. TVS also unveiled its upcoming 125cc commuter bike, the Radeon. The bike is only slated for launch by the third quarter of 2013. TVS also displayed its indigenously developed automatic transmission technology concept. The 100cc Sport and 110cc Star City were on display with a fresh set of graphics.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen unveiled the new Touraeg SUV at the Auto Expo. Styling of the all-new 2012 version is attractive to say the least. Under the hood, the SUV is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel that develops around 240bhp. The Touraeg will go on sale in April this year. The German automaker also showcased its XL1 concept - a low-drag, teardrop-shaped two-seater that, according to the company, has a mind-blowing fuel consumption figure of 111kpl.  Also on display is the new VW Beetle in its latest avatar. 

Yamaha

Yamaha has lifted the lid on its first ever Indian scooter which is slated to launch later in 2012. Called the Ray for now, the name is subject to change though by the time the scooter hits showrooms. The scooter displayed at the Auto Expo is currently in its concept stage. Yamaha is also displaying a new limited edition YZF-R15 Version 2.0 variant in white and fiery red. 

TVS shows Radeon and Qube concepts at Auto Expo 2012

Chennai based two-wheeler manufacturer, the TVS Motor Company once again displayed their hybrid concept scooter, the Qube, as also seen at the previous Auto Expo. Slated for a commercial launch sometime in 2013, TVS claims the stylish, automatic hybrid scooter remains in its developmental stages.

The company is also displaying another upcoming commuter bike at the Auto Expo, the 125cc Radeon, which when launched shall expand the company’s 125cc portfolio, currently only represented by the Flame. The Radeon can however only be expected to launch by the third quarter of 2013.

TVS also displayed its indigenously developed Automatic Transmission technology concept, which it claims is equally convenient and adaptable on a scooter as a bike, capable of boosting mileage and efficiency by 20 percent. At the Expo, you could also see the 100cc Sport and 110cc Star City that have added on a fresh set of graphics. Similarly, the 110cc Wego scooter will soon adopt 4 new colours in metallic finishes, and be available post April 2012.

Smaller scooter, the ever popular Scooty Streak gets a refresh in the form of a black colour scheme, while the Pep will now sell with white and red graphics.

Piaggio's revealed new Vespa scooter at Auto Expo 2012

Piaggio Vehicles, the wholly owned Indian subsidiary of the Piaggio Group of Italy, unveiled the iconic Vespa at the Expo. Since its launch in 1946 as the world’s first scooter, the Vespa is present today in over 100 countries with over 17 million units sold.

With its entry into the Indian market, Piaggio plans to create a premium segment for the Vespa brand, positioning it as a lifestyle product with its very own Vespa Club.

Unveiling the Vespa, Ravi Chopra, chairman and managing director of Piaggio Vehicles, said, “Our foray into the Indian market activates a whole new segment of style and fashion-conscious consumers who are looking for a premium lifestyle offering reflecting their personalities and attitudes. We would like to leverage this sizeable untapped market segment that shows tremendous potential for growth in the coming years.”

Piaggio India has set up a modern manufacturing plant at Baramati for production of the Vespa. The plant has an initial capacity of 1,50,000 units. The company plans to launch the 125cc scooter in March, 2012, in five colours, and will initially make it available in 35 key cities.

While the Vespa brand will have 50 dealerships in India by end-2012, there will also five superbike dealerships by the end of the year. Piaggio might also consider introducing the Moto Guzzi 1200 Norge GT as a CBU in the coming months depending on the response the product gets at the Expo.

Piaggio currently has four two-wheelers available as CBUs at its Pune showroom - the Aprilia RSV4, Tuono, Mana, and Dorsoduro.

Toyota confirms Etios one-make series for 2013

Toyota has formally launched its Indian motorsport effort under the moniker ‘Toyota Motor Racing’ by unveiling the race-prepared Etios and Liva at the Auto Expo. Although the series was widely expected to kick off this season, Toyota plans to launch the full-fledged series only in 2013. However, a few exhibition races will be held in 2012, with the opening event just three weeks away on January 28 to be held, surprisingly, in Chandigarh. Since the city doesn’t have a purpose-built racing circuit, it is safe to assume that the race would be held on a temporary street circuit. The main series, however, will focus on the three race tracks in India - the Buddh International Circuit, the Madras circuit and the Kari Speedway in Coimbatore.

A tentative grid of 25 cars will be made up of drivers aged between 15-24 years with a multi-tiered selection process. Step one for racing aspirants would be to apply online, with entries opening January 15 and closing on February 15. Basic training camps will follow in March and June with the applicants being shortlisted based on their performance. The shortlisted lot will then go through simulator and karting evaluations before getting behind the wheel of the Toyota race cars. The final 25 will be selected and trained by specialised coaches using Toyota’s global racing curriculum.

To make the Etios and Liva cars race-worthy, both cars will undergo modifications with the process being well underway at the Red Rooster Racing facility in Bangalore. The proximity to Toyota’s Bidadi plant is no coincidence, and the process is being supervised by Toyota. Apart from the usual myriad of safety-related and aesthetic modifications, the 1.2- and 1.5-litre engines will be massaged to release more horsepower with performance suspension and wheels headlining the dynamics department. Toyota is expected to partner with MRF Tyres as the official tyre supplier for the series, drawing parallel with the only other manufacturer-backed one-make series, the JK Tyre-Volkswagen Polo Cup.

25 cars you can't miss at auto expo 2012

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.

 

Watch Mini Cooper S video review 

 

 

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

 

 

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.  

Maruti Ertiga unveiled at Auto Expo

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Maruti has unveiled its new Ertiga compact MPV at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi. The Ertiga, which is due to go on sale by late-March 2012, is Maruti’s first crack at the MPV segment. Based on an extended Swift platform, the Ertiga carries the Maruti family look with the front resembling the Ritz hatchback while the peeled-back headlights that stretch to the pronounced wheel arches are reminiscent of the new Swift. The front bumper styling is quite sporty with a large air inlet and neat enclosures for the fog lights. Tail styling looks rather generic though. The overall length is 4265mm so the Ertiga does not qualify for excise benefits available to sub four-metre cars.

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. Flexible seating also allows you to reconfigure the seats to free up luggage space by folding the last row and also individual seats on the middle row. The cabin features a combination of black and beige plastics and this gives it an upmarket look. However, the dashboard design is identical to the Swift. The Ertiga will be offered in three trim levels on both petrol and diesel versions, and though climate control will not be offered on any model, a twin AC system will be part of standard kit.

Maruti will debut the new K14B petrol engine on the Ertiga. The latest addition to the K-Series engine family produces 93.87bhp at 6000rpm and 13.25kgm at 4000rpm. If the 16.02kpl ARAI-tested figure is anything to go by, real-world fuel economy from this motor should be good too. The Ertiga uses the same gearbox as the Swift though the gear ratios have been tweaked to compensate for the heavier loads the engine will be subject to. Also on offer will be the 89bhp, 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine from the SX4.

Maruti has worked to make the Ertiga as car-like as possible and that is sure to be a major draw for buyers. If priced right, the Ertiga has the makings of yet another winner for Maruti.

Fabia Monte Carlo, RS 2000 at the Expo

The Skoda hall unveiling seemed to have gotten overshadowed by all the glitz and glamour elsewhere at the Auto Expo. Although no new models or variants were launched, the attractions at the Skoda stall were the Fabia Monte Carlo and the RS 2000 concept that was earlier unveiled at the Wörthersee motor show last year.

The Monte Carlo Fabia is a tribute to 100 years of the Monte Carlo rally and 110 years of Skoda in motorsport. This special edition Fabia features piano-black body trim and black coloured roof, door mirrors and radiator grille as well as smoked headlights and black 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels. Interior touches include either black or red-and-black sports seats, and red-stitched leather steering wheel, handbrake and gearstick boot.

Success in the S2000 rally series prompted Skoda to make a celebratory concept car. 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. The concept roadster has some unique styling bits like the tapering windscreen blending with the windows all the way back to the rear.

Also displayed at the Skoda stand were the company’s Rapid and Laura RS saloons.

Ducati Monster 795 is here

Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati has unleashed their Monster 795 in India at an asking price of Rs 6,99,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The 795 has been developed specially for Asian countries, and comes equipped with an 803cc engine synchronized to a 6-speed gearbox. It’s Desmodromic valve train equipped engine makes a maximum power of 85bhp at 8250rpm. Adding to the good news for super bike enthusiasts, the Monster 795 can be booked with immediate effect, although deliveries shall only commence post March 2012.

Although affordable for a Ducati, and a step in the right direction, the Monster 795 could have been priced even more competitively in a segment which is fast filling up with many able rivals.

Jaguar Land Rover's stunning expo lineup

Exhibiting alongside parent company Tata Motors, Jaguar Land Rover’s display is bound to have won the brand a whole host of new fans. India is an important emerging market for Jaguar and the manufacturer seems to have pulled out all the stops to impress Auto Expo goers. The display includes the facelifted XF, the XJ and Jaguar’s most powerful production car yet, the wild 542bhp XKR-S. However, it is the pair of Jaguar concept cars that really drew eyeballs.

The first of these is the C-X75 hybrid supercar that will be built in partnership with Williams F1 team. Slated for future production, the low-slung supercar looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie. It’s a range-extender hybrid that uses a pair of mini turbines instead of a conventional combustion engine as a generator for the electric motors. It shouldn’t be dismissed as an anaemic eco car though – it produces 778bhp and can hit a top speed of 330kmh.

Sharing the limelight with the C-X75 is the C-X16 which is a Porsche 911-sized sports car.  The concept’s extremely tight skinning, sloping roofline and rear haunches look really smashing in the flesh. Power is courtesy a supercharged, direct-injection, 376bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine. However, a 'push to pass' button on the steering wheel frees up energy stored via an F1-style Kinetic Energy Recovery System, and kicks in an electric motor that boosts power by 94bhp for up to 10 seconds. Performance is a claimed 0-100kph time of 4.4 sec with top speed limited to 300kph.

The adjacent Land Rover stand had its own show-stoppers as well with the spotlight on the DC100 and the DC100 Sport concepts. The concepts, first shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Motorshow, point to what the next generation Defender (due in 2015) will look like. If the design is anything to go by, the new model will share few visual elements with its legendary predecessor. The angular cues remain but the whole treatment is very futuristic. Land Rover is yet to fine tune the styling but has said it wants to design a product that is ‘as relevant in Mumbai as it is in California’.

Elsewhere in the stand, the recently-launched Evoque garnered its fair share of attention too.

BMW launches M5 Sport saloon

BMW has launched its new M5 sports saloon at the 11th Auto Expo in New Delhi. 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, oil cooler and turbochargers. 19-inch alloy wheels come as standard fitment.

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). The new M5 gets a power boost of 10 percent and torque figures are up by 30 percent compared to the previous-generation, V10-powered E60 M5.

The transmission is a seven-speed, dual-clutch unit with steering-wheel-mounted paddle-shifters, which drives through a new Active M differential with electronically-controlled, multi-plate, limited-slip differential. Depending on the driving situation the diff can lock between 0 and 100 per cent, says BMW.

An M-specific chassis set-up includes M-tuned Servotronic steering, cockpit-adjustable dynamic damping and stability control with an ‘M Dynamic’ setting. Steering wheel buttons that can be programmed with chassis, engine and diff settings can now memorise two individual set-ups as compared to the single setting option on the earlier M Drive button.

The all-new BMW M5 has been priced at Rs 95.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Mini officially launched in India

Iconic British car-maker Mini has finally entered the Indian car market. The BMW-owned manufacturer will bring in four models, namely the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Countryman into India as completely built units (CBUs). The Mini range will be sold through three exclusive dealerships – Deutsche Motoren and Bird Automotive in New Delhi and Infinity Cars in Mumbai.

The Cooper hatchback is the most affordable car in the line-up. However, with an asking price of Rs 24.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Cooper is by no means cheap. Styling harks back to the original design; it’s classic yet looks contemporary at the same time. There are plenty of retro touches inside the cabin as well such as the large circular dials for the speedometer and tachometer. While the Mini Cooper can seat four, its small dimensions and three-door body style make it a car best suited to two occupants. The Mini Cooper comes with a 1.6-litre petrol engine that is good for 122bhp at 6000rpm and 16.3kgm of torque at 4250rpm. Those wanting more power can opt for the Mini Cooper S that features the same engine but 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.

The third model in the Mini line-up is the Cooper Convertible. The convertible adds the joy of open-top motoring to typical Mini charm. But given India’s extreme weather conditions, the Convertible’s fabric roof could prove impractical. The Convertible comes powered by the same 1.6-litre, 122bhp petrol engine that does duty on the Mini Cooper.  Priced at Rs 29.99 lakh, the Cooper Convertible is still the cheapest convertible on sale in India today.

The Mini that makes most sense for India is the Cooper S Countryman. It features five doors with decent space for four occupants so it is sure to find favour with family buyers. Moreover, its raised ride height will do a better job at dealing with pothole-laden Indian roads. The Countryman costs Rs 31.99 lakh and uses a 184bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.

Mini has not announced any plans yet of brining in its diesel powerplant, however the manufacturer has confirmed all India-bound cars will come with six-speed automatic transmissions.