Dream cars to fit your purse – and beyond

In the coming year, Maruti, TATA and Honda are vying for the economy sector, ranging from above Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The middle segment is crowded with global brands like Ford, Renault, Volkswagen and Datsun, eyeing the prosperous Indians aspiring for upward mobility. The high segment is less crowded with only three cars and Mahindra is trying to dominate this range. The luxury cars sector is still ruled by the global luxury giants Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar.

 

Economy Cars  

 

Maruti Suzuki Swift Facelift

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has been one of the best-selling hatchbacks in India since 2011, and with its facelift, its hopes to live up to its hype. However, it largely remains the same as far as external design is concerned, except for the new L-shaped LEDs in the front and silver detailing on the bumper.

Expected price: Rs. 4.42 Lakh – Rs. 6.71 Lakh

Expected launch: September, 2014

 

Tata Bolt

Based on the Vista X1 platform, the Tata Bolt continues to be as wide and tall as the Vista. It adds 30mm to its length, thanks to the extended hood, while the wheelbase is identical to the Vista’s 2470mm. Tata has stated that the name Bolt signifies speed and represents a winner’s attitude.

Expected price: Rs. 4.2 Lakh – Rs. 6.6 Lakh

Expected launch: August, 2014

 

Tata Zest

The Tata Zest compact sedan is the second car in Tata Motors’ new generation of vehicles. Like the Tata Bolt, Zest is also based on the Vista X1 platform. It shares a handful of similarities with the Bolt hatchback in terms of design; the side profile remains the same up to the C-Pillar.

Expected price: Rs. 4.5 Lakh – Rs. 7.6 Lakh

Expected launch: July, 2014

 

Honda Jazz

Honda’s Jazz looks sportier, and bolder in its new avatar, thanks to Honda’s ‘Exciting H Design’ philosophy. The hatchback will now get new headlamps with metallic inserts and turn indicators on the wing mirrors, though it risks resembling the previous generation Jazz. The car is also expected to offer a class-leading 390-litre.

Expected price: Rs. 4.7 Lakh – Rs. 7.5 Lakh

Expected time of arrival: End of 2014, or early 2015

 

Maruti Suzuki DZire Facelift

The Swift Dzire facelift is expected to arrive around the same time as the Swift facelift. In terms of looks, it will remain the same as the old Dzire albeit the new L-shaped LEDs upfront, and silver detailing on the front bumper.

Expected price: Rs. 4.9 Lakh – Rs. 7.5 Lakh

Expected launch: August/ September, 2014

 

Mid Range

 

New-Generation Ford Figo

Like the Ford EcoSport, this hatchback has been developed by Ford Brazil, indicating a primary target of emerging markets, including India. The India-bound version might continue to be powered by the existing engine options – 1.4-litre diesel and 1.2-litre petrol. While rumours say Ford India may launch the new-gen Figo with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that also powers the EcoSport.

Expected price: Rs. 5 Lakh – Rs. 7 Lakh

Expected launch: Early 2015

 

Fiat Avventura

Based on the Punto hatchback, the Fiat Avventura will share its engine and underpinnings with the former. The Avventura will take on the likes of Volkswagen Cross Polo and Toyota Etios Cross. Since it will get more features and additional equipments than its hatchback inspiration, the Avventura will be heavier on the pocket as compared to the Punto.

Expected price: Rs. 5 Lakh – Rs. 8 Lakh

Expected launch: August/ September 2014

 

Datsun Redi-GO

The Redi-GO will be a premium offering from Nissan’s low-cost car brand Datsun. Though the car will be pricier than the Go hatchback, it will still be more affordable than its rivals. It retains the chrome hexagonal grille from the GO and GO+ but gets sleeker swept-back headlights. The headlights and the fog lamps will have LED inserts.

Expected price: Rs. 5 Lakh

Expected launch: 2015

 

Volkswagen Polo Facelift

Unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show, the Polo facelift will tentatively arrive in India by August. The new Volkswagen Polo retains the same overall design but gets a new bumper, a reworked grille with three slats and fog-lamp housing. However, LED lights will be offered as an optional feature only on top-end variants.

Expected price: Rs. 5 Lakh – Rs. 8.5 Lakh

Expected launch: July, 2014

 

Datsun GO+

It looks quite similar to the GO hatchback, so much so that the side profile is almost identical up till the C Pillar. The MPV, however, gets extra space or the third row and measures 3995mm in length. It is built on the GO platform, and shares the 1.2-litre petrol engine with the hatchback, though the diesel model might use the Nissan Sunny’s 1.5-litre K9K unit.

Expected price: Rs. 5.7 Lakh – Rs. 7.5 Lakh

Expected launch: Third or fourth quarter of current financial year

 

Nissan Sunny Facelift

The Nissan Sunny facelift gets its most prominent changes in the front, with larger headlights and chrome plating on the grille. The list of exterior upgrades also includes new fog-lights, new ORVMs and a more dynamically designed rear.

Expected price: Rs. 6.28 Lakh – Rs. 9.5 Lakh

Expected launch: July 3, 2014

 

Mahindra S101 Sub-compact SUV

The car will take its design inspiration from the company’s popular SUV, the XUV500 and might use the Quanto’s 1.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine. If reports are to be believed, Mahindra is also developing a small 1.2-litre petrol engine with its Korean auto company SsangYong. The company might fit this engine in several of its upcoming cars, including the sub-compact SUV.

Expected price: Rs. 6 Lakh – Rs. 8.5 Lakh

Expected launch: By the end of 2014, or early 2015

 

Honda Mobilio

The MPV is 4.4 metres long with a ground clearance of 185mm and shares its platform with the Honda Brio. Given the fact that Honda meant for the Mobilio to be a budget MPV, it shares a lot of components with other Honda cars.

Expected price: Rs. 7 Lakh – Rs. 9 Lakh

Expected launch: July, 2014

 

Maruti Ertiga Automatic

The India-bound Ertiga AT will get a 5-speed transmission. However, this will just be a change of gearbox and the car will continue to be powered by the 1.4-litre K14B petrol engine that delivers 93bhp and 120Nm of torque.

Expected Price: Rs. 7 Lakh – Rs. 7.5 Lakh

Expected launch: August/ September 2014

 

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

The Ciaz’s design is inspired by the ‘Suzuki Authentics Concept’ and looks totally new as compared to the SX4. It features sharper character lines, while the surface looks more contemporary. The Ciaz will also get a wide chrome grille and large wraparound headlamps.

Expected price: Rs. 7.25 Lakh – Rs. 10.5 Lakh

Expected launch: September, 2014

 

Volkswagen Vento Facelift

Volkswagen’s mid-sized sedan – the Vento – will receive a makeover around the same time as the updated Polo will be rolled out in India. Since the Vento and Polo are essentially the same cars albeit the sedan-esque boot on the former, the updated models of both the cars will look similar in design up till the third pillar. The Vento might also sport some revisions at the rear.

Expected price: Rs. 7.5 Lakh – Rs. 11 Lakh

Expected launch: August/ September 2014

 

Volkswagen Taigun

The Taigun will be Volkswagen’s answer to the likes of Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. Volkswagen showcased the vehicle at the 2014 Auto Expo. It is 3,859mm long, 1,728mm wide and 1,570mm tall.

Expected Price: Rs. 8 Lakh – Rs. 12 Lakh

Expected launch: Early 2015

 

Renault Duster Facelift

The facelift of the Renault Duster’s Dacia twin debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, and Renault Duster was unveiled soon after. The face lifted Duster features a host of cosmetic changes including a dual-tone chrome grille, large air-dams, revised headlamps with double-optic units and daytime running LEDs, under body cladding, chromed exhaust pipe in rear diffuser and new tail lamps.

Expected price: Rs. 8 Lakh – Rs. 12.28 Lakh

Expected launch: September, 2014

 

Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross

Suzuki S-Cross SX4 debuted at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and is expected to arrive in India towards the end of 2014. Basically the crossover version of the European SX4, the SX4 S-Cross is pretty much as spacious as the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. It will be offered with both, petrol and diesel engines.

Expected price: Rs. 8 Lakh – Rs. 14 Lakh

Expected launch: December, 2014

 

Mahindra Scorpio Facelift

Though the face lifted Scorpio will get a revised front and rear end, it will retain the overall design typical to the SUV. The 2014 Scorpio facelift is expected to get new headlamps, revised grille and a refurbished front bumper. The rear will also receive new tail-lamps, tailgate and bumper, which will help the new Scorpio look much sportier. Our sources claim that the updated Scorpio will also see some significant changes inside the cabin and will offer more features.

Expected price: Rs. 8.5 Lakh – Rs. 11 Lakh

Expected launch: Third or fourth quarter of current financial year

 

High Range

 

Renault Lodgy MPV

Renault hopes to achieve the same success of Duster with the Lodgy, the company’s offering for the sub-compact MPV segment. This segment already fields the Maruti Ertiga and will soon welcome Honda’s sub-compact MPV, the Mobilio. And Lodgy, already on sale in several global markets, is Renault’s hope in this segment.

Expected price: Rs. 10 Lakh – Rs. 15 Lakh

Expected launch: Mid 2015

 

SsangYong Korando

Owned by Indian car manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra, South Korean auto company SsangYong is expected to launch the Korando C SUV in India by the end of this year. It is expected to sport a 2.0 l DOHC 4- cylinder turbocharged diesel engine under the hood, with the option of either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Expected price: Rs. 15 Lakh – Rs. 18 Lakh

Expected launch: By the end of 2014

 

Mahindra XUV500 Hybrid

In terms of design, the XUV500 Hybrid looks exactly like the standard XUV500. It retains all the standard features offered on the car, and the only differentiating factor will be the electric motor that works in conjunction with the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. This will be the first diesel hybrid vehicle in the Indian market.

Expected price: Rs. 15 Lakh – Rs. 18 Lakh

Expected launch: 2015

 

Luxury

 

Audi A3

Showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2014, the Audi A3 is expected to arrive in August this year to India and will be produced locally. The sedan will be seen giving competition to the BMW 1 Series and the Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Expected price: Rs. 25 Lakh – Rs. 30 Lakh

Expected launch: August, 2014

 

Mercedes-Benz GLA

The GLA concept car is all set to reach Indian dealerships this September after an unveiling at the 2014 Shanghai Motor Show in April. The first GLA variant to land in India will be powered by a 2.1-litre diesel motor that makes 135bhp and 300Nm of torque. It will come mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Expected price: Rs. 27 Lakh – Rs. 30 Lakh

Expected launch: September, 2014

 

Mercedes-Benz CLA

The CLA-Class is Mercedes’ new entry-level sedan that will be positioned below the C-Class. The CLA is expected to be offered with multiple petrol engine options and one diesel mill with power transmitted to the wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The company will first roll out the performance-oriented CLA 45 AMG version in India, while the regular CLA will come early next year.

Expected price: Rs. 25 Lakh – Rs. 30 Lakh

Expected launch: Early 2015

 

Jaguar XE

The XE will is Jaguar’s answer to the entry level luxury sedans like BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The new Jaguar XE will be the first product to utilise the company’s new aluminium architecture that was showcased in the C-X17 concept in 2013. The XE will be offered with a new engine line-up called ‘Ingenium’ in different capacities and power output options.

Expected price: Rs. 28 Lakh – Rs. 45 Lakh

Expected launch: Early 2015