#LookBack2014: Major Car Launches This Year

As the year is about to end, we at CarDekho took a moment to look back at the all the major happenings of Indian and global auto sector. In a series of articles, we’ll try to bring the glimpse of major activities in the Indian auto sector. Starting with major new car launches, we’ll further cover the facelifts and performance vehicles launched this year. The year 2014 started with the word “most” attached to the cars launched in the early days. Audi launched its ‘most’ powerful saloon RS7 in country followed by Honda’s ‘most’ fuel efficient City and Mercedes ‘most’ expensive S Class, S500. The year 2014 also witnessed the gala event of Indian Auto Expo held in the first week of February. It took a lot of research and time to dig out the important cars launched in 2014, so what we did is created a list of new or next gen cars launched in 2014 to let you guys enjoy an informative write-up. 

1) Honda City

Launch Date: 7th January, 2014
Launched at: Rs 7.42 lac

Honda, for the first time in India, launched the fourth generation of City with its fuel efficient 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine. Since its inception, Honda on an average retailed 6500 to 7000 units of City per month and it was only in August, the automaker sold 757 units, courtesy to City’s production being transferred to Rajasthan’s Tapukara facility from Greater Noida. Read More On Honda City

2) Mercedes-Benz S Class

Launch Date: 8th January, 2014
Launched at: Rs 1.57 Crore CBU

The German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz started the year 2014 on a pretty high note by launching its most expensive S-Class S 500 at Rs 1.57 crore. At first the company introduced the CBU model but later rolled the CKD version at Rs 1.36 Crore. The automaker in the month of June also introduced the diesel version S 350 CDI at Rs 1.07 crore. Read More On Mercedes-Benz S Class

3) Hyundai Santa Fe

Launch Date: 5th February, 2014 
Launched at: Rs 26.30 lac

The new Santa Fe get its power from the 2.2-litre diesel engine, which has been tweaked from the previous car. The SUV produces an output of 194bhp and comes in both manual and automatic transmission. ARAI figures for manual transmission is 14.7kmpl and for AT is 13.1kmpl. The new Santa Fe features broad front grille with LED and Xenon lights and even the rear gets LED lights. It gets smart key entry and SL touchscreen infotainment system. Read More On Hyundai Santa Fe

4) Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Launch Date: 6th February, 2014
Launched at: Rs 3.90 lac

Maruti’s first AMT vehicle came in the name of Celerio. The Celerio with an Automated Manual Transmission provides 5% better fuel efficiency as compared to the manual version. The hatch returns an impressive mileage of 23.1kmpl, thanks to the efficient 1.0 liter, 3 cylinder K-Next engine, which churns a max output of 67bhp and 90Nm of peak torque. Read More On Maruti Suzuki Celerio

5) Hyundai Xcent

Launch Date: 12th March, 2014
Launched at: Rs 4.66 lac

Hyundai’s offering in compact sedan segment took a bit of time but finally came in the form of Xcent. Priced in the band of Rs 4.66 to Rs 7.19 lac, the compact sedan lock horns with segment leaders Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and Honda Amaze. Hyundai is offering a 1.1 litre advanced 2nd generation U2 CRDi diesel engine along with a 1.2 litre Kappa Dual VTVT petrol engine. Read More Hyundai Xcent

6) Datsun Go

Launch Date: 19th March, 2014
Launched at: Rs 3.12 lac

 

Datsun, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nissan introduced its entry level hatch for the first time buyers. The variants D, A and T are named after the first three letters of the automakers name DAT, which stands for Dream Access and Trust. The hatch cross swords with Hyundai Eon and Maruti Suzuki Alto 800. Read More On Datsun GO

7) Toyota Etios Cross

Launch Date: 7th May, 2014
Launched at: Rs 5.76 lac

 

First unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo, the automaker expanded its Etios family by launching the Etios Cross. The new Etios Cross is made available in three engine options - two petrol (1.5-litre and 1.2-litre) and one diesel (1.4-litre). The car combines the rugged looks of an SUV with easy drivibility, fuel efficiency and maneuverability of a hatchback. Read More On Toyota Etios Cross

8) Toyota Corolla Altis

Launch Date: 27th May, 2014
Launched at: Rs 11.99 lac

 

Toyota introduces the 11th generation Toyota Corolla Altis at a price tag of Rs 11.99 lac for the base petrol and Rs 13.07 lac for the entry-level diesel. The Japanese automaker offers a total of nine variants, including five petrol and four diesel variants. Mated to a common six-speed manual transmission, the saloon also comes with an autobox option on top petrol trims. Read More On Toyota Corolla Altis

9) Honda Mobilio

Launch Date: 23rd July, 2014
Launched at: Rs 6.49 lac

 

After the successful launch of Honda’s new City, the automaker introduced the Mobilio MPV. This seven seater MPV is pitched against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy and Nissan Evalia. First showcased at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, the MPV is based on company’s latest philosophy 'Man Maximum, Machine Minimum'.  Read More On Honda Mobilio

10) Fiat Punto EVO 

Launch Date: 5th August, 2014
Launched at: Rs 4.55 lac

 

Fiat launched the refreshed or the new Punto Evo in the price bracket of Rs 4.55 lac to Rs 7.19 lac. The Punto Evo now adorns re-designed front fascia, swept back head-lamps, sporty front-grille, new bumper and new LED taillamp cluster. Its nearest rivals are Maruti Suzuki Swift, Volkswagen Polo and Hyundai Elite i20. Read More On Fiat Punto EVO

11) Audi A3

Launch Date: 7th August, 2014
Launched at: Rs 22.95 lac

A3 is Audi’s most economical and compact offering in Indian auto sector. Recently, the German automaker also introduced the Cabriolet version of A3. The sedan is offered in both the fuel trims with 2.0-litre, four-cylinder powertrain diesel engine and 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Sadly, the Cabriolet version ditches the diesel engine. Read More On Audi A3

12) Hyundai Elite i20

Launch Date: 11th August, 2014
Launched at: Rs 4.89 lac

Bagging the title of Indian Car of the Year 2015 (ICOTY), Hyundai Elite i20 is a replacement of old i20. The car recently crossed landmark bookings of 56,000+ units in just four months of its launch. Based on Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design philosophy, the Elite i20 embraces 1.2-litre Kappa petrol unit and 1.4-litre U2 diesel engine. Read More On Hyundai Elite i20

13) Tata Zest

Launch Date: 12th August, 2014
Launched at: Rs 4.64 lac

Based on Vista's platform, the Zest features Tata's new design language – 'DESIGNEXT', new infotainment system 'CONNECTNEXT', and new driving experience with 'DRIVENEXT'. The car gets segment-first 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system by Harman, F-Tronic Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) and multi-mode driving system. Mechanically, the petrol model gets Tata Motors' latest invention 1.2 liter Revotron turbo-charged engine while the diesel model gets Fiat’s 1.3-liter turbo diesel engine dubbed as Quadrajet. Read More On Tata Zest

14) Mahindra Scorpio

Launch Date: 25th September, 2014
Launched at: Rs 7.98 lac

The rugged SUV Mahindra Scorpio finally gets a next gen avatar at an ex-showroom price of Rs 7.98 lac while the top end model S10 4WD is priced at Rs 12.54 lac. Launched in 8 variants-S2, S4, S4 4WD, S6, S6+, S8 and top-of-the-line S10 & S10 4WD, the SUV lock horns with recently launched Renault AWD and Tata Safari. The updated SUV features new swept back headlamps, day-time-running-LEDs, vertical slat grille while rear gets D shaped LED taillamp cluster. Read More On Mahindra Scorpio

15) Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 

Launch Date: 30th September, 2014
Launched at: Rs 32.75 lac

 

The GLA-Class is Mercedes Benz’s first compact SUV crossover in country. Based on company’s MFA platform, the GLA-Class is pitched against the likes of BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Volvo V40. The compact SUV features sporty crossover traits with low slung roof and high riding drive. Read More On Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

16) Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

Launch Date: 6th October, 2014
Launched at: Rs 6.99 lac

To tap the sales of Honda City and Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki launched the Ciaz as a replacement for the not-so-successful SX4. The diesel model of this C-Segment car offers best in segment fuel economy of 26.2 kmpl. Read More On Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

17) Fiat Avventura

Launch Date: 21st October, 2014
Launched at: Rs 5.99 lac

 

Fiat's attempt to mark its name in the growing crossover segment came in the form of Avventura. The company in its bold new marketing strategy is promoting Avventura in the new segment called CUV (Contemporary Urban Vehicle). Based on the Punto Evo, Avventura competes with Volkswagen Cross Polo and Toyota Etios Cross. Read More On Fiat Avventura

18) Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 

Launch Date: 3rd November, 2014
Launched at: Rs 3.06 lac

 

Maruti Suzuki’s third major launch of 2014 came in the form of next generation Alto K10. After the successful inception of AMT in Celerio, the automaker also offered the new Alto K10 with AMT gearbox. The car delivers a fuel economy of 24.07kmpl which is 15 per cent more than the outgoing model. Read More On Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

With this we conclude the major new cars launched in 2014 and coming up next is the article on facelifts and performance cars that were introduced this year. In the upcoming 2015 the Indian auto sector will witness the launch of much awaited Tata Bolt, BMW i8, Honda Jazz, Tata Safari facelift, Maruti Suzuki Swift facelift and other new models.  

Read More on : Honda City price