12th Auto Expo: launchers and newsmakers

Facelift of Superb and Yeti. 

Skoda is back at the expo with Yeti, which will be launched in the second half of 2014. The most notable changes to the front are the wider grille and the bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights incorporated into them. The bonnet and the bumper are new as well. At the rear, the tail-lamps now get LEDs. The Indian Yeti is based on the Yeti Outdoor version and that means, like before, it will get black plastic cladding along the lower bits of the bumpers, side claddings and side moldings.

Skoda also showcased the facelifted Superb. The nip and tuck bring the Superb up to Skoda's new family look with the butterfly grille, reshaped headlamps and foglamps, re-profiled bumper and new bonnet. The bi-xenon headlamps come with integrated LEDs and the top Elegance trim features power washers. At the rear, the tail-lamps are part LEDs and the number plate has been moved to the boot-lid from the bumper.

Mahindra's Halo.

The Indian auto-major Mahindra & Mahindra unveiled its concept electric sports car 'Halo' which it expects to launch commercially in the next three years. The company said depending on the support from the Indian government for electric vehicle, Halo will be introduced in the country but it could very well hit overseas markets first. 

"This car has been fully designed and developed in India with all indigenous technology," Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle CEO Chetan Maini said.

The company also introduced a quick recharge variant of its existing electric car e20, equipped with smart port technology.

The car can be fully recharged in one hour, while a recharge of 15 minutes will give a range of 25 km. 

Big Launches.

Priyanka Chopra launched Jaguar Land Rover's Range Rover LWB.

 Chevrolet  launched the Corvette Stingray as well as the Camaro

Hero’s Splendor Pro Classic

Hero Motocorp's 620cc Hastur

Hyundai HND-9 Venace concept car.

More details

12th Auto Expo: Finally some revival by launches

Breaking the slowdown, BMW India unveiled four cars, including BMW i8, which was first seen in 2012 in Hollywood flick 'Mission Impossible 4'. It also launched all-new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo at Rs 42.75 lakh, all-new X5 and BMW M6 Gran Coup at the 12th Auto Expo 2014 in Greater Noida. These cars from the BMW stable were unveiled by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

The other launches were:

Hyundai Xcent. Hyundai Xcent, expected to be seen on Indian roads by March this year, is among the four new models that the company plans to launch in the next two years, including a compact sports utility vehicle (SUV), to enhance its position in the market.

Hero HX250R. The HX250R is Hero’s first in-house built motor, after its division from Honda. The company has R&D tie up with Eric Buell Racing and AVL.

 

Ford Figo Concept. US auto major Ford Motor Co unveiled its all new mid-sized sedan Fiesta and compact sedan Figo Concept.

Suzuki Ciaz. India's car market leader Maruti Suzuki India unveiled Ciaz and crossover SX4 S-Cross to enhance its position in the bigger sedan segment going forward.

Bajaj RE 60. Awaiting a formal notification on quadricycle, Pune-based Bajaj Auto said it is ready to roll out its RE60 model once it gets a go ahead from the government.   

Renault KWID. French car maker Renault today made the global launch of its concept car KWID here besides introducing new variants of models Fluence and Duster.    

Harley-Davidson Street 750. The world renowned bike maker Harley-Davidson today launched its much-awaited and the most affordable model the Street 750 at a price of Rs 4.1 lakh in the country.    

DC also didn't lag behind in showing his creations.

 

Datsun, with its debut at the 12^th Indian Auto Expo showcased two production cars in the Go and Go+ and also world premiered the Redi-Go crossover concept at the Expo fairground. The Redi-Go concept focuses a potential small crossover for the model line-up. As most crossover concepts, the Redi-Go is targeted at young people with active lifestyles.

WHEELZ WAR 2013

2013 was the year of car lovers. Some were SUVs and some replacements in small car hatchbacks. Let’s have a look over them.

Nissan Terrano.

After it managed to tackle SUV segment nearly a decade back through its X-Trail, Nissan seems to have challenged the Renault, Mahindra, Tata and Ford. 

Price Tag: Rs. 9.50 Lakh to Rs. 12.50 lakh.

Class: Compact SUV.

Threat for: Renault Duster, XUV 500, Ford Ecosport, Safari Storme

BMW 1 Series.  

It was a complete fun and frolic, when cricket maestro, Sachin launched the much affordable car from the German auto-giant. 

Price Tag: Rs. 21 Lakh to Rs. 30 lakh.

Class: Small car Hatchback.

Threat for: Audi A4, Mercedes C Class.

Honda Amaze.  

And this marks the entry of Honda in the diesel car segment. Previous to it, there was neither the provision of diesel in either its City or Civic.

Price Tag: Rs. 5 Lakh to Rs. 7.5 lakh. 

Class: Mid-size sedan.

Threat for: Swift DZire, Toyota Etios, Indigo CS and Manza.

Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG.

The most powerful SLK ever launched by Merc yet, this draws its power from 5.5 litre V8 engine. 

Price Tag: Rs. 1.25 crore. 

Class: Roadster.

Threat for: BMW Z4, Audi TT, Jaguar F-Type, Audi R-8.

Ford EcoSport.

Ford EcoSport is a compact SUV by the makers of Endeavour. With its entry in the SUV segment, Renault, Honda and Mahindra are threatened.  

Price Tag: Rs. 5.5 Lakh to Rs. 9.8 Lakh. 

Class: compact SUV.

Threat for: Renault Duster, Tata Safari Storme, Mahindra XUV 500.