New Cars launched and unveiled at Auto Expo 2012
Modified On Jan 12, 2012 05:00 PM By Ritesh
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Auto Expo 2012 witnessed a whole lot of action in chilling cold of New Delhi. We know that not all of you were able to bear testimony to the grandiose event and hence, we present you Auto Expo in a nutshell where you can glare at your loved car without any boundation. The stupendous event turned out to be a great platform for car makers from across the globe who want were geared up to establish their footprints in world’s second largest growing car market-India.
You can see all the unveilings and launches of new cars just in the way car honchos lined up their mules. Mind-boggling concepts and prototypes were also a part of the grand event. In total, almost 60 new vehicles, including the CVs (commercial vehicles) were exhibited at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012. Our agile team from CarDekho was present on toes throughout the event to get latest scoops and news from the grandiose event, so if you have missed any action here’s a glimpse of Auto Expo 2012.
Cars launched at the Auto Expo 2012
Renault Pulse: Renault India goes all-diesel with its first hatchback in the country with a 64 Bhp 1.5 L DCi engine. Built on the same V-platform of Nissan Micra, the car is most appealing if you are a fan of masculine looks on a car. With the Renault Pulse price of Rs 5.77 lakh, the hatchback keeps the potential to take Maruti Swift diesel head-on.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: The super car is not just about looks alone, which is just the part of the package it is set to deliver with the 6.3 L V8 engine under the hood. All the same, you can’t quite take your eyes away from the stunning model featuring the gills like the fish and moves like one when on a race track accelerating from 0-100 kmph in a blinding 3.8 seconds.
2012 Toyota Innova: Space and grace never needs to be redefined, except for a few re-touched exteriors, the MPV is as good as ever and shining new with the same 2.0 L petrol engine and a 2.4 L diesel engine working under the hood. The 2012 Toyota Innova price of Rs 9.40 lakh is perfect without leaving a scope for the rivals to catch up with its chunk of market share.
2012 Toyota Fortuner: The 4x2 variant comes at the right time to work wonders for the car and with a price cut too. The Toyota Fortuner 4x2 priced at Rs 19.5 lakh, it still carries the powerful 3.0 L D-4D engine to match the rugged SUV that it is.
BMW Mini range: BMW drops the bombshell at the Auto Expo bringing the iconic Mini brand to India. After leaving no page unturned in the Indian car industry, BMW introduced the Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S in the premium hatchback segment. The soft top Mini Cooper Convertible to deliver the roadster experience and a Mini Cooper Countryman S crossover for a mix of on road and off road driveability with the high stance and increased ground clearance are enough to get BMW going for a long while in the country. The BMW Mini range begins at Rs 24.99 lakh and goes all the way up to Rs 31.99 lakh.
2012 Toyota Prius: Toyota Motors and hybrid cars seem to go hand in hand together. After a power-packed performance at the Tokyo Motor Show recently, Toyota Motors is back into the scene launching the latest version of the Toyota Prius sedan featuring the 1.8 L 4 cylinder petrol engine to belt out a top torque of 142 Nm. With the potential to stop you in the middle of the tracks, the car is nothing but a sheer beauty to watch at, endowed with the Synergy Drive Technology and the hybrid plug-in car from Toyota Motors where the auto major has improved the all-electric performance of the car. The new Toyota Prius with the Solar Powered Ventilation system, the hybrid sedan is priced at Rs 27.38 lakh.
BMW M5 sedan: The sleek and powerful BMW M5 sedan is not just easy on eye. BMW M5 sedan is a humble abode for creature comforts, rich in technology and no less in the hefty price tag it carries of Rs 95.9 lakh.
MPVs unveiled at Auto Expo 2012
Maruti Ertiga
Expected price: Rs 7lakh-Rs 9 lakh
Expected date of launch: April, 2012
Maruti India hoped to create a revolution with its first product in the MPV segment and it did just that. Synonymous with power and presence, the Maruti Ertiga MPV is a seven-seater offered in both petrol and diesel engine options. The 1.4 L petrol engine and a 90 Bhp 1.3 L multijet diesel engine caters to all the needs of the Indian consumers. Rs 7-9 lakh is what Maruti India is looking at for the Maruti Ertiga price to give a tough competition to Mahindra Xylo and new Toyota Innova in this segment.
Chevrolet CN-100
Expected price: Rs 5 lakh
Expected date of launch: Mid 2012
Beauty is not just skin deep and Chevrolet CN-100 drives the point home. Banking on the success of the Wuling and SAIC joint product CN-100’s success in the Chinese car market, GM India was quick to identify the ideal car for the country. Not looking quite like an ugly overweight cousin of Mahindra Xylo or Toyoat Innova for that matter, the CN-100 despite its compact form offers an easy accommodation for 7-8 passengers comfortably. Offered with an all-diesel 1.3 L powertrain, GM India might come up with an as exciting price tag too which is expected to be in the range of Rs 5 lakh.
Nissan Evalia
Expected price: Rs 8 lakh-Rs 9 lakh
Nissan’s new MPV is another plain Jane all set to make its foray into the country in a couple of months down the line. Big spacious MPVs are in and Nissan Evalia is the true example in every sense which is a comfortable 8 seater MPV with a 1.5 L diesel engine that drives the car. With a sliding door access for the rear seat passengers the narrow looking car sports a unique body style and most likely to stand out on the road. With an imposing stance cowing down over the rivals, the MPV is expected to carry a price tag of Rs 8 lakh-9 lakh.
Chevrolet Tavera Neo 3
Expected price: Rs 5.92 lakh-Rs 7.56 lakh
There is a huge deviation from what we see with Chevrolet Tavera plying on the roads. The changes in the new Tavera Neo 3 are most evident than any of the recent face-lifts seen at the Auto Expo with a large prominent grille and an equally large Chevrolet emblem featured on the fascia of the car. The new Chevrolet Tavera is now perfect to travel through the metros with its all -new 2.0 L BS IV compliant diesel powertrain without compromising a least bit on performance.
SUVs unveiled at Auto Expo 2012
Tata Safari Storme
Expected Price: Rs 9 lakh - Rs10 lakh
Tata Motors gave a stiff one and jolted the consumers back to senses. Not willing to do anything with the unspoilt Tata Safari, the auto major decided to upgrade the outdated model giving a new name. Tata Safari Storme is just apt to what the SUV has to offer and it is the looks that takes the cake. Right from the 2.2 L Safari’s DiCOR engine tunes, the car manufacturer absolutely didn’t need to do anything more to the high performing engine which continues to deliver the140 Bhp and 320 Nm peak power and torque. To be placed with a Tata Safari Storme price of in and around Rs 9 lakh - Rs10 lakh, Mahindra XUV 500 is the potential threat to the upcoming SUV.
Ford EcoSport
Expected Price: Rs 7 lakh -Rs 9 lakh
Expected date of launch: 2012 end
When the countdown began for the Auto Expo, so did it for the Ford EcoSport. Such was the anticipation for the compact SUV which is pure luxury on four wheels. Housing a 1.0 L EcoBoost petrol engine and a 1.5 L Fiesta diesel engine, there is uniqueness from every angle of the SUV. Ford Fiesta forms the base for the compact 5-seater but the design lines are simply unmatched and is beyond comparison. The huge grille and sharp cut lines of the headlamps are beyond description and all this for a Ford Fiesta price well within reach in the range of Rs 7 lakh -Rs 9 lakh.
Renault Duster
Expected Price: Rs 7 lakh - Rs 9 lakh
Expected date of launch: Q3 or later in 2012
Another compact SUV in the making. Sticking to the diesel engines to tap the diesel car demands in the Indian car market, Renault has decided to satisfy the consumers on this count with a 1.5 L diesel engine of Logan and a 1.6 L petrol engine. The compact looking SUV is not that compact after all and will be introduced in a 4x2 variant to sit in the range of Rs 7 lakh - Rs 9 lakh rivalling Ford EcoSport in the compact SUV segment but will join the stream only towards Q3 or later in 2012.
Audi Q3
Expected Price: Rs 23 lakh
Expected date of launch: mid 2012
Unarguably, Audi Q3 is born to compete BMW X1 in the Indian car market. The luxury class SUV with all the earthly comforts imaginable is expected to be introduced in the second half of 2012 with a Audi Q3 price around Rs 23 lakh.
Mercedes-Benz M-ClassNew Premier Rio
Expected Price: Rs 4.7 lakh
Expected date of launch: April
The idea is to make it BS4 compliant and ramp up the performance of the diesel engine. With tempting new looks, feature rich and a 1.3 L diesel engine to replace the older 1.5 L powertrain, the compact SUV is as approachable as always at Premier Rio price starting at Rs 4.7 lakh and keep your fingers crossed for an April launch.
Force One
Expected Price: Rs 11.5 lakh
Expected date of launch: March
After testing the waters with the Force One 4x2 variant, Force Motors thought it is high-time to introduce the 4x4 variant at the Auto Expo. Powered by the same 2.2 L diesel engine, the consumers will have to wait for over two months to see the Force One 4x4 launch happening with a price tag to carry around Rs 11.5 lakh.
New Chevrolet Captiva
Expected Price: Rs 17 lakh
Expected launch: October/November
Mahindra takes its relationship with SsangYong to next level unveiling the Rexton SUV at the Auto Expo. Mahindra hopes to turn around its image as a premium car manufacturer for once with the SsanYong Rexton featuring a 2.2 L diesel engine under the hood.
Electric cars unveiled at Auto Expo 2012:
Nissan Leaf
Expected price: Rs 12 lakh
Nissan unveiled its electric car Leaf at the 11th Delhi Auto Expo, the car is extremely frugal and is expected to deliver a whopping 80 kmpl once it is fully charged.
Reva NXR
Expected price: Rs 4 lakh
Expected date of launch: November
Mahindra along with other slew of cars also unveiled its petite electric car, Reva NXR, Mahindra is expected to launch the car by November this year.
Hatchbacks unveiled at Auto Expo 2012:
Chevrolet Sail hatchback
Expected price: Rs 5 lakh
Expected date of launch: September, 2012
General Motors’s sixth sense always comes handy which leads to an ultimate success. And it could be right this time as well as it leaves no scope for any complaint. Chevy Sail is all about exciting looks, compact form, petrol and diesel engine option. Imagine if GM gets the Chevrolet Sail price just right too, which makes sense given the increasing competition. It will be offered with 1.2 L Chevy Beat’s petrol engine and a 1.3 L multijet engine.
Tata Nano CNG
Expected price: Rs 2 lakh
Expected date of launch: 2012
When Tata Nano diesel is not happening so soon, the next best alternative is the Nano CNG variant. Powered by the B-Fuel 624 cc engine and the Tata Nano getting richer and richer by each day feature wise, the Tata Motors is determined to explore the alternative fuel propulsion technologies a Nano CNG is the example.
Toyota Etios Liva Sports
The sports Etios Liva hatchback is the first step taken by the car manufacturer gearing up for the Etios Racing Trophy in 2012. The sports hatchback with the usual customisation seen on the exteriors to render the sports car image and a 1.2 L petrol engine with increased performance was unveiled at the Auto Expo.
Volkswagen Beetle
Expected Price: Rs 23 lakh
Expected date of launch: Q2, 2012
The compact little Beetle gets a diesel heart this time with a 1.4 L diesel engine to join the 2.0 L petrol engine powered sibling and as agile as ever before.
Sedans unveiled at Auto Expo 2012:
New Toyota Camry
Expected Price: Rs 22.5 lakh
Expected date of launch: end 2012
Well-toned beautiful skin is what the 2012 Toyota Camry facelift has got. Being an outright best-seller globally, the luxury features in the car are redefined to take a big leap forward leaving the rivals like Honda Accord and Skoda Superb far behind.
New Hyundai Sonata
Expected Price: Rs 16 lakh
Expected date of launch: Q2 2012
Carrying the patented ‘Fluidic’ design philosophy of Hyundai, the new Sonata is a complete makeover inside out. Features-wise and the looks to match, the sedan takes a huge leap forward and stands to be a synonym to safety. Hyundai India crushed the hearts of diesel car lovers dropping the diesel engine out of the equation, but decided to go with petrol engine alone with the 2.4 L to match the streamlined exteriors disappointing many in the process. Diesel cars lovers will have to wait longer.
New Hyundai Elantra
Expected Price: Rs 9 lakh - Rs 12 lakh
Expected date of launch: 2012
Hyundai’s Fluidic concept is once again seen on the new Hyundai Elantra which is set to make a big comeback this time to make up for the oomph factor that went missing earlier. It is always fun to see a Hyundai model amply equipped with a diesel and petrol engine and the Hyundai Elantra is expected to house a 1.8 L petrol engine and a 1.6 L diesel powertrain to stand to be a number one choice in the C segment cars this time around.
Peugeot 508
Expected Price: Rs 10 lakh - Rs12 lakh
Expected launch: Q2 2012
The French car manufacturer has decided to bounce back into the Indian car market making Peugeot 508 sedan as a weapon The premium sedan with flowing design lines will come with a 1.6 L diesel engine to become an ideal choice for diesel car lovers in the Indian car market.
New Concepts unveiled at Auto Expo 2012:
Skoda RS 2000
Built on the Skoda Fabia platform, the four door roadster offers sitting arrangement for four passengers defying the sports car philosophy. The roadster is not only spectacular to look at with the super-white alloy wheels, but gives equally good driving experience with the 2.0 L 200 odd Bhp top power. After putting up a great show at the Worthersee Expo, near lake Worthersee in Austria, the roadster concept made it to the Indian Auto Expo to drive the Indian consumers crazy this time with the extraordinary looks and the performance to match.
Chevrolet EN-V concept
The concept is generations ahead more like a next century car but the uniquely designed structure which more looks like an electric chair than a car concept definitely gets us excited to know more about the Chevrolet concept.
Tata Pixel concept
Tata motors seem to have an expert hand in developing ultra-compact cars. But, the Tata Pixel concept is eons ahead with detachable LCD screen to control the car. The two-seater is not just fun to drive but one of the most fuel efficient car till date with a 1.0 L petrol engine and a mileage of 35 kmpl to boast about. The car meant more for the European car markets, the CO2 emissions on the car are super low at 89 g/km.
Volkswagen XL1 concept
The new Volkswagen concept is too good to be true. The rich design lines and an unbelievable mileage of 111 kmpl with the help of a small 1.0 L diesel engine makes one wonder how long Volkswagen is going to take to push the concept into production. There is no doubt that Volkswagen might have received and extremely good feedback on the concept which leaves no scope for a single complaint.
Maruti XA Alpha SUV concept
The unique design lines to stand out among the lot, under four meter in length to expect a decent price in future from Maruti India and a compact model with a sitting arrangement for five people. Maruti XA Alpha offers vision for a future car model from MSI and a true competitor of Ford EcoSport in every spirit.
Renault DeZir Concept
Renault throws light on how Renault future models are likely to look like with the Renault DeZir concept. The scissor doors, the extraordinarily prominent grille and heavy work on the rear end of the car might hold an appeal to those who are bound to deliver something different in the industry. The concept built to deliver punch accelerates within five seconds to gain 100 kmph speed leaving the driver gasping to be a perfect sports car once converted to offer real time experience.
Audi A3 E-tron Concept
The new Audi concept generates the feeling of luxury from the high quality look and built of the sedan. The LED lamps integrated headlamps exudes powerful bright light to match the lustrous exteriors and a thorough hybrid that it is. The 211 Bhp 1.4 L gasoline engine combined with the 27 Bhp electric motors drives the car like a racing horse and accelerates from 0-100 kmph in 6.8 seconds when both engines are brought to function at full swing.
Jaguar C X16 Concept
The concepts are definitely something that surpasses our imaginations. The C-X16 features a steering mounted push to pass button to bring the electric motor of 94 bhp and 163 lb-ft to life to function alongside the aluminium 3.0 L V6 gasoline engine. However, the electric hybrid concept is likely to make it to Indian shores one day to occupy the slot under Jaguar XF sedan we are more aware of.
Jaguar C X75 Concept
This Jaguar concept is something we can only imagine in dreams. The concept featured at numerous motor shows since 2010, features two electric motors against one to complement the 3.0 L V6 engine that also drives this car. The credit goes to the C X 75 which forms the foundation for the Jaguar C X16 concept whose design lines can easily be traced down to its parent model along the headlamps and the overall look of the fascia. With the top speed of 330 kmph and the acceleration of 0-100 kmph in 3.4 seconds has the potential to top the genre of super cars from Jaguar.
Hyundai Hexa Space Concept
Hyundai, with the Hexa Space MPV has taken the experimentation to next level. Fantastically designed and most practical in approach to meet the expectations of the consumers from an ideal MPV, Hyundai Motors has done its best with the MPV concept. The seating layout in the car calls for attention which is laid out with the optimised utilisation of space and foldable back rests to squeeze out extra space when necessary. A huge deviation from the Hyundai’s usual line-up, the well-shaped headlamps and grille design scores many points for the Hyundai Hexa Space MPV. Hyundai India might try to close the gap between the concept and launch to match the steps with Maruti India’s Ertiga MPV.
BMW Vision Connected Concept
This BMW concept exudes the power gained from extreme use of technology within it. The user can stay connected to the external world well within the confines of the car through the online applications, extracting the information from the call centers or get things done with a snap of fingers through the inbuilt mobile networking device, by which one can make the world dance to your tunes sitting in the car.
Land Rover DC-100 and Land Rover DC-100S Concepts
The DC 100 Sports concept ideally belongs to future generation, but we are lucky enough to experience the cutting edge technological advancement in the present times itself. But Land Rover will have to come up with something like this to match the immense popularity of Defender SUV which features not one or two but three such features to override the image the Defender SUV has built. Incorporating the Terrain i to pre-warn the users of upcoming obstacles, Wade Air technology to gauge the water depths before-hand and the terrain response system, the DC 100 S concept is the true example to reach the pinnacle of pure technological advancements.
Other eye-candy cars seen at the Auto Expo:
Hyundai Veloster Coupe
Hyundai most evidently needn't try any harder to shun off this image as a cheap car manufacturer. It has proved the point more than a couple of times with some specimen models recently unveiled at the Auto Expo and Veloster Coupe is one among them. The 1.6 L petrol engine powering the car will take you to the places which you have only imagined in your dreams and the luxurious plus interiors of the three—door coupe are just enough to take your ride worthwhile.
DC Avanti Sports Car
Designed and conceptualised by the renowned Indian Automotive designer Dilip Chabria, the India make sports car reaches the ultimate heights in car designing. The Rs 30 lakh price tag makes it more exciting and stands as an enticing option within reach of many Indians who dream to own a sports car one day. The firm is quite positive of the roaring demand for the Avanti sports car and plans to produce 300 units of the car by next year.
Peugeot Rcz Sports car
A true sports car in every sense, the four-seater coupe was displayed by Peugeot at the Auto Expo 2012 to boast of its expertise in producing a wide range of cars on the most opportune occasion they had at hand. The French car manufacturer who is making a debut in India with the Peugeot 508 sedan has found it essential to let the Indian consumers know about the future models from Peugeot, which are likely to follow 508 sedan now or at some later point of time.
