The potpourri of vehicles that is set to pull the masses at the upcoming 11th edition of Auto Expo, which kicks-off from 7th January, will include some of the most anxiously anticipated cars hailing from market leaders.
It must be noted that in view of the fact that the Indian consumers prefer "value-for-money" products, car companies would put on display, a host of highly fuel-efficient models.
As a matter of fa
ct, 60 lately manifested vehicles and upgradations are likely to be conjured during the Auto Expo heat. Among the densely populated line-up, there are five participants that would irrefutably emerge as visitors' delight. Rated as the world's best mini sports car, the BMW Mini that will make its way to the car maker's stand tops the coveted list of five.
|
Car name |
BMW Mini |
Maruti Ertiga |
Hyundai Sonata |
Ford Ecosport |
Mercedes-Benz B-class |
|
Engine |
1.6-litre, churning a peak power of 122 hp. |
It carries a 1.4-litre petrol engine and 1.3-litre diesel motor. |
Sonata would carry a 2.4-litre engine under its hood. |
A 1.5-litre motor would find a place in the compact SUV, which would be capable of delivering a maximum power of 118 hp. |
The premium compact car has been affixed with a 1.8-litre diesel and 1.6-litre petrol engine. The former and the latter return peak power of 135 hp and 156 hp respectively.
|
|
Fuel |
Available in petrol & diesel transmission. |
The MUV would come in both petrol & diesel variants. |
The sedan would be available to buyers in the petrol-engined version. |
Ecosport would be available in a diesel-engined variant initially. |
The luxury vehicle will be launched with both petrol and diesel versions. |
|
Transmission |
Automatic |
Manual |
The vehicle is likely to be affixed with both manual & automatic gearbox. |
Manual as well as Automatic transmission will supervise the handling department of the SUV. |
An automatic gearbox would be assimilated to the Mercedes B-class. |
|
USP |
The world's top mini sports car is quite buyable. |
With a price range of Rs. 6.5 lacs and Rs. 9 lacs, the MUV proves to comply with the affordable price scheme of Maruti. |
The advanced Fluidic design assimilated into the sedan will earn coveted laurels for Hyundai. |
The compact SUV offers an excellent fuel economy, both in cities as well as on highways. |
B-class is undoubtedly the most frugal product offered by the company to India. |
|
Competitors |
BMW Mini is likely to confront VW Beetle, Fiat Cinquecento and Mercedes B Class |
Ertiga is expected to face strong competition from the likes of Toyota Innova, Chevrolet Tavera, Tata Sumo, Mahindra Xylo and Tata Aria Sumo, Mahindra Xylo and Tata Aria. |
Sonata is likely to have Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Teana and Volkswagen Passat as its close rivals in the market. |
Ecosport would lock horns with Maruti Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mahindra XUV500 and Hyundai Tucson. |
The car would battle it with names like VW Beetle, Fiat Cinquecento and BMW Mini. |
|
Minus |
The price tag does not befit the Indian buyers |
Maruti's previous MUV venture, Versa was a huge flop in the market. |
At the outset, Hyundai has not been able to carve a niche in the big car segment. |
Ford is not a known name in the SUV segment of India. |
The brand opens up plethora of sedan options for buyers, and moreover offers them in the same price range. |
Thus, the Auto Expo 2012 will push the position of the Indian auto industry to new limits yet again and encourage more car makers, world over, to bring on their products and technologies under one roof.
