2010 has so far been a very significant year for the Indian automobile sector. India has seen a number of launches by global car manufacturers and world class products coming to India.
The country also saw the incoming of made-for-India cars and production bases shifting to the country. Some Indian manufacturers like Tata grabbed global attention and are on the road to entering into the developed markets. But this is just the tip of the iceberg as there are many more significant events lined up to happen in the year.
Here is a look at all those brand new cars that will soon set Indian roads ablaze.
1 BMW X1
German auto giant BMW showcased this beauty at the Delhi Auto Expo and this next generation car has state of the art technology and features and is comparatively low priced.
BMW X1 is expected to be powered by a diesel engine and would fall in the price range of Rs 25-30 lakh (Rs 2.5-3 million).
It is not just the looks of the BMW X1, which in any case are stunning, but this beauty also promises to be a safe car equipped with ABS (Antilock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution), dual front airbags and side ITS head airbags, alarm system with remote control and engine immobilizer, front and rear anti roll bars, central locking, child lock, crash sensor, front and rear fog lamps, halogen headlamps, front and rear seat belts with pre-tensioner and belt force limiter, side impact protection and many more features.
2 Tata Aria
Tata Aria is a versatile crossover, with features common to premium SUVs (sports utility vehicles) and it is thus bound to make a mark for itself.
It is an eight-seater luxurious MUV (multi-utility vehicle) built on the roadster concept and comes with a 2.2L, DICOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) engine.
This is being hailed as the most sophisticated Tata car ever and is expected to be in the price range if Rs 10-15 lakh (Rs 1-1.5 million).
The Tata Aria in India will come with a four-wheel drive option. The Aria was also on display at the recently-concluded 80th Geneva Auto Show. The Aria has a plethora of new and advanced features.
The brakes would be disc type coupled with ABS and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system. The ESP is the first of Tata cars to be offered with.
Aria is likely to handle very well on city roads and also off the road, as it is packed with a number of best-in-class features. Aria's power steering, efficient braking system with ESP and standard ground clearance ensure hassle free driving.
3 Skoda Yeti
With a price tag of approximately around Rs 12-15 lakh (Rs 1.2-1.5 million), the Yeti would be placed between Skoda Fabia and Skoda Octavia.
The Skoda Yeti is an all new compact SUV (sports utility vehicle) and will have both petrol and diesel engine options.
This one is expected to be a great performer. Skoda Yeti would be introducing new engines and new technical solutions. Yeti's off-road regime that adapts the settings of the electronic systems to driving on rough terrain and movable hooks in the luggage space are going to be a few new features..
Skoda Yeti's front has a markedly shaped radiator grill surrounded by four headlights, whereas the rear is very basic. The car has compact dimensions and boasts of easy controllability and manoeuvrability. Skoda Yeti's enhanced mudguards and silver under body protection strips assist while driving in rough terrain.
The glass spaces of the windows on Skoda Yeti stand-out in design and complement the electrically controlled two-part panoramic sunroof and crossways roof rack.
4 Nissan Micra
Nissan Motor Company's first made-in-India car is expected to make its debut with a price tag of about Rs 4-5 lakh (Rs 400,000-500,000).
Nissan Micra will come with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and has been developed on Nissan's V-platform. Micra was designed and tested in Japan and would be available in 150 countries worldwide. Nissan Micra would have stylish dual tone interiors with dual tone dashboard and an advanced instrument panel.
Micra will also have dual front airbags, ABS (Antilock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution) and anti-skid system make up for the car's safety gear. News is that the Nissan Micra would come in six variants with both petrol and diesel engine option.
5 Maruti Cervo
The Maruti Cervo is all set to give competition to the higher models of Tata Nano. It is being speculated that the Maruti Cervo would be priced at Rs 1.5-2 lakh (Rs 150,000-200,000).
The car is a five-door hatchback model and has a spacious passenger cabin. It would come with a 0.7L, 660 cc petrol engine with a claimed fuel economy of 21-22 kmpl.
The braking system in Maruti Cervo will be conventional type that will follow front disc and rear drum brake. We can't expect ABS system in this price range.
The car will also house newer shock absorbers. The suspensions are responsible for smooth driving which not only increase riding pleasure but safety also.
6 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Popularly called Evo X, the car would be available in 5-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed twin clutch transmission.
The price tag is expected to be around Rs 30 lakh (Rs 3 million) and this launch is a part of the revamped strategy from Mitsubishi Motor.
The car's engine would have turbocharged MIVEC technology that controls valve timing electronically. The top speed of the Indian EVO X is said to be 250 kmph.
7 Toyota Avanza
Toyota Avanza is to be positioned below the Toyota Innova and is likely to be a sort of mini Innova. The MUV (multi utility vehicle) is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 6-9 lakh (Rs 600,000-900,000).
The Toyota Avanza might have the 1495 cc engine present in Thailand model. This 1.5L petrol engine consists of 4 cylinder, DOHC 16 valve matted with VVTi technology.
8 Maruti Kizashi
Kizashi is Maruti Suzuki's first product in the all-wheel-drive sport sedan segment. Kizashi falls in the D segment and is expected to come with a 2.4 AWD engine sporting 18-inch alloy wheels and a 425 Rockford Fosgate audio system with iPod and bluetooth connectivity.
The car is expected to cost around Rs 12 lakh (Rs 1.2 million). Kizashi reached North American showrooms in December last year and so far about 300-400 units have been sold.
Suzuki showcased all four trims of the 2010 Kizashi at the Chicago Auto Show in February.
9 Skoda Roomster
Skoda Roomster will come as a five-door MUV from the Skoda stable. The MUV is likely to get 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines and 1.4-litre and 1.8-liter diesel engines.
The Skoda Roomster will compete with Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Captiva and Toyota Fortuner and would fall in the price range of Rs 16-18 lakh (Rs 1.6-1.8 million).
10 Toyota Etios
This is Toyota's first hatch especially designed for India. The car is suppose to have DOHC 16-valve engine with a 1200cc displacement and is expected to be priced around Rs 5 lakh (Rs 500,000).
Toyota will be manufacturing the Etios in, both, hatchback and sedan variants. The Etios was at display at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010 and evoked a lot of curiosity among onlookers.
The hatch and notchback segments of Etios have a sharp and big smiling grille that has been high-mounted especially for India and give the car a very tough look.
The launch date is not yet confirmed, but as per the speculations in the market Etios is expected to hit the roads by 2010 end
This is Toyota's first hatch especially designed for India. The car is suppose to have DOHC 16-valve engine with a 1200cc displacement and is expected to be priced around Rs 5 lakh (Rs 500,000).
Toyota will be manufacturing the Etios in, both, hatchback and sedan variants. The Etios was at display at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010 and evoked a lot of curiosity among onlookers.
The hatch and notchback segments of Etios have a sharp and big smiling grille that has been high-mounted especially for India and give the car a very tough look.
The launch date is not yet confirmed, but as per the speculations in the market Etios is expected to hit the roads by 2010 end