Why wait for 2012?: Rs 20 lakh plus cars

MINI

Expected: Mid 2012, Price: Rs 15 lakh – Rs 40 lakh

Updated Price after 2012 Delhi Auto Expo: Rs. 24.99 lakh - Rs.31.99 lakh

Few current cars combine retro cool, practicality and exceptional driving dynamics the way the new crop of MINIs do. India will finally see these sweet numbers roll in soon. The official announcement has already been made and the MINI range, including the MINI One, the Cooper, the diesel-powered Cooper D and the Countryman will join retro-modern contemporaries like the VW Beetle and the Fiat 500. The BMW-owned brand may be making a late entry into the Indian market, but is looking to do things differently by considering an assembly set-up in the BMW plant near Chennai. If implemented, this should give the MINIs a price edge over the CBU Fiat 500 and VW Beetle. Expect prices to start at Rs 15 lakh for the base models, and go up to Rs 40 lakh for the bells and whistles John Cooper Works models.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Expected : Late 2012, Price Rs 20 lakh – Rs 24 lakh

This is the first car to sport the three-pointed star logo and a front-wheel drive platform which also means it will be the beginning of a new breed of Mercedes-Benz cars in India that are way more affordable than the lot they sell today. The B-Class is a cross between a hatchback and an MPV, which also means it has a slightly weird body style which could prove the only possible hurdle to its acceptance in India.
That said, it should come here with the choice of either a 1.8-litre diesel engine or a 1.6-litre petrol mill coupled to an option of a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The B-Class prices should start at Rs 18 lakh and that should have the BMW X1 worried!

2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Expected: End 2012, Price: Rs 21 lakh

The Beetle is probably one of the most recognisable cars in automotive history. The original car, designed in the 1930s, holds the record for the longest produced automobile in history. Volkswagen revived this classic back in 1998, with a modern take on the original car, and this model has been available in India for the last couple of years or so. But this year, VW launched a brand new ‘new’ Beetle, which the designers say, is even more similar in design to the historic model, and this one will drive into India in 2012.
Some of the more rounded design elements may have been dropped, but this Beetle looks as gorgeous as ever. As for pricing, the current car costs about 21 lakh rupees, so expect the new one to be in the same range, which means what started out as a ‘people’s car’  will remain as elitist as ever.

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Peugeot 508

Expected: Early 2012, Price: Rs 20 lakh – Rs 25 lakh

Peugeot isn’t an unheard of brand in India, though it slipped out of the Indian psyche in the decade following the discontinuation of the Peugeot 309. But the French auto maker is planning making a big comeback with its latest 508 sedan by the end of next year. The 508 will bring with it sophisticated styling which the French are famous for, and one good look at the car is enough to convince anyone of that. With an expected price tag of Rs 20 lakh – Rs 25 lakh, the 508 has been designed to go up against established cars such as the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry, the Volkswagen Passat and the Skoda Superb, which will make it the first French offering in this entry level luxury segment.

New Toyota Camry

Expected: Early 2012, Expected price: Rs 21 lakh

Toyota’s flagship sedan has been around for a quite a few years but has never tasted success. One of the major reasons was its price which due to its CBU form was quite expensive. Hopefully, Toyota has learnt its lesson since the all-new Camry is an extremely brilliant car, winning rave reviews all around the world. Expect more space, pace and grace thanks to all-new better packaging, a more powerful engine and all-new exteriors.

Volvo C70

Expected: late-2012 Price: Rs 75 lakh – Rs 90 lakh

Despite the taxes levied by the Indian government on imported cars, the market for these exotics is still showing steady growth and every luxury car maker is willing to jump on the bandwagon without wasting time.
Next in line is Swedish company Volvo which plans to launch the convertible C70 luxury model that will come in as a CBU. The Volvo C70 will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SLK, Audi TT, the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster. A subtle looking design but the turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol motor pumps out a staggering 233PS of power that is par for the course in its segment. The car is expected to be launched in late 2012.

New BMW 3 Series

Expected : mid 2012, Price : Rs 25 lakh – Rs 40 lakh

The BMW 3 Series sedan is the original in the compact sports sedan segment and over the years has come to symbolise the aesthetic appeal, dynamics and sporting capability of BMW. With its dynamic and elegant lines, the sixth model generation of the world's best-selling premium vehicle highlights the sporting character of the brand's mid-size model.
The new 3 Series will come with a host of engines such as the 320i, 320d, 318d, 316d and 335i. We think the 320d and the 325i will make it to Indian shores. Priced at Rs 25 lakh – Rs 40 lakh.

Audi A5

Expected : Early 2012, Price: Rs 35 lakh – Rs 40 lakh

Come 2012 Audi may introduce the style concentrate A5 in the Indian market. Audi is refreshing the A5 model series, that are now more distinctive than ever.
The tail lights and the headlights have been redesigned and are optionally available in xenon plus technology with homogenous LED daytime running lights. New colours and materials accentuate the interior, and many details of the operating concept have been fine tuned. Engines will be the diesel 2.0 TDi , the 3.0 TDi, and a petrol 1.8 TFSi.
Just as the Audi A7 Sportback model is slotted between the A6 and the A8 Executive sedans, the Audi A5 Coupe will open new doors to Audi's product line-up in India.

Audi A4 face-lift

Expected : Early 2012, Price : Rs 30 lakh – Rs 40 lakh

Audi is producing a range of products to suit the needs of a content and elegant buyer. With fresh new looks that portray an image of calm and futuristic comfort, the new Audi A4 is all set to tempt a more aggressive design hungry buyer to follow it into an  elegant wonderland.
Priced at Rs 30 lakh – Rs 40 lakh, the all-new Audi will run on its frugal 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre diesel engines. A 1.8-litre petrol version will be introduced. If we’re lucky, Audi will introduce the 3.0-litre petrol versions namely the S4, producing 333bhp. It’s high time they did, right M3?

Volkswagen Tiguan

Expected: Mid 2012, Price: Rs 25 lakh – Rs 30 lakh

Volkswagen's coming together of ‘TIGer’ and ‘IGUANa’ has created a compact city SUV which is likely to be introduced in 2012. Given that the vehicle shares its platform with the Jetta/Passat and also forthcoming Audi Q3 SUV, assembly logistics for the vehicle should be smoothened out. Internationally the vehicle comes in two trims – Sport & Style for the plush softroader buyers, and Track & Sprint for the more hardcore off-roading enthusiasts. Engines should also come from the VW umbrella – a 1.8- or a 2-litre TSI petrol if Volkswagen so prefers, and a 2-litre diesel for sure. For India however, expect a generic trim that will allow the SUV to compete with the likes of the BMW X1 – at a price point of between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 30 lakh.

Nissan Murano

Expected: mid-2012 Price: Rs 20 lakh – Rs 25 lakh

Still under speculation, the Nissan Murano has been scheduled for India since a long time and it looks like the Japanese car maker will bring in the funky looking crossover mid-2012. It is still unclear as to whether the Murano will ply alongside the existing X-Trail or whether it will be priced differently, but certainly it will be brought in via the CBU route.
The styling on the Murano is something that breaks away from the boxy mould in its class and offers a fresh new design unseen in this segment. Powered by a massive 3.5-litre motor, the front-wheel drive Murano will also be available in all-wheel drive variant and will offer more options to customers looking for a stylish crossover in the Rs 20 lakh – Rs 25 lakh price bracket.
2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

The M-Class has enjoyed its place in the Indian luxury SUV space, but with the all-new BMW X3 breathing down its neck and joined by the relevant new Audi Q5, a new version of Merc's urban SUV will make its debut coming year. Already launched internationally as a 2012 model designated as the W166, the completely redesigned SUV will stay in line with Merc's new design language – look at it like an E-Class in SUV garb.

Audi Q3

Expected: Early 2012, Price Rs 20 lakh – Rs 25 lakh

Audi has pretty much dominated the luxury SUV market in India thanks to the Q7, and is also making its presence felt in one segment lower down the order with the Q5. But now the Ingolstadt based auto maker will be getting something even smaller, yet no less capable and luxurious, to India. Christened the Q3, this car is more crossover and less SUV – perfect for those who want to flaunt muscular styling, but not be bothered with real off-roading ability.
And as compensation for its slightly lower abilities on the rough stuff, the Q3 offers excellent road manners, in tune with the best of Audi’s sedans. An expected price tag of Rs 20 lakh – Rs 25 lakh will mean it will take on the likes of the Honda CR-V and even the Toyota Fortuner. And that price tag for an Audi would make it a really sweet deal as well.

New VW Touareg

Expected : Early 2012, Price : From Rs 60 lakh

The Volkswagen family look is what the new Touareg will bring to India when it debuts at the 2012 Auto Expo, which means it will instantly seem familiar. But it sure is a handsome face and comes packed with features including quite a bit of space on the inside. Cousin to the Porsche Cayenne, the Touareg will be the more subtle of the two and could appeal widely to Indian sensibilities.
Given its rally reputation from Dakar it will also be quite a performer. The 3-litre diesel engine should be what makes it here but considering VW’s obsession with going green and BlueMotion technology, there could be a hybrid later on too. Expect to shell out close to Rs 60 lakh for this!
Caterham sports cars make India debut

Caterham

Expected: Mid-2012 Price: From Rs. 60 lakh and above

In collaboration with the Dabur Group, Caterham sports cars are all set to scorch the Indian roads next year
British sports car maker Caterham Cars announced its entry into the Indian market with the launch of Caterham Cars India at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. The company plans to introduce its iconic sports cars – Seven and SP/300r -- in India. The Caterham brand will be introduced in India by Dabur India Ltd promoters Mohit Burman and Gaurav Burman, who will chair the Indian operation. The Burman family spearheads the Dabur Group, a major Indian consumer healthcare and food products company. The brothers who have keen sporting interests, relish the plans for racing and trackday activities that the Caterham India team will introduce and realise.

Operations will be led by British sports car racer Matt Cummings, who is an experienced automotive and motorsport operator in the sector. “I am looking forward to introducing the exhilarating driving experience of a Seven, both on the road and on the circuit, to the Indian enthusiast,” says Cummings. “One of the most exciting phases of our operation will be a fully Indian-assembled Seven, making Caterham the only road, race and track car assembled in India.” Meanwhile, Caterham’s renowned CDX driving experience and grassroots motorsport series, the Caterham Academy, will begin operating in India next year.

Caterham Cars chief executive, Ansar Ali, said: “We have been working for some time on establishing Caterham in India and we’re arriving in yet another new market for our brand at exactly the right time – just as the brand new Indian GP signals the arrival of Indian motorsport on the world stage. “The potential of the Indian market for the Caterham brand is enormous so we are delighted to have knowledgeable and influential partners by our side for the journey ahead.”

Caterham Cars India will be focused on establishing the brand in anticipation of new products currently in development by Caterham Technology and Innovation (CTI), the engineering division recently created following the acquisition of Caterham Cars by Tony Fernandes. CTI will be responsible for the development of a completely new line of accessible and affordable sports cars inspired by the lightweight, minimalist philosophy of the Seven and drawing on the advanced technologies and materials from the Group’s Team Lotus Formula One operations. With this in mind, Caterham Cars India has also already ordered a demonstrator version of the Company’s new-for-2011 SP/300.R sports prototype racing car, with a view to expanding the product offering further to the Indian market.

The announcement of Caterham Cars India follows the launch of the brand in China in July and is the second new market for the company since its change of ownership back in April.

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2012 Porsche 911

Expected: 3rd quarter 2012, Price: Rs 90 lakh onwards

A new 911 is always an exciting prospect and when Porsche unveiled the seventh generation of this iconic at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year, that excitement really reached a new level. Though not radically different looking as compared to the current generation 911 on sale in India at the moment, this new model features a host of engine and suspension improvements which make the car not only more fun to drive, but also is gentler on the environment with better fuel economy and lesser emissions.
What is totally radical for this new 911 isn’t the inclusion of Porsche’s super-quick PDK double-clutch transmission, but the option of a 7-speed manual gearbox as well. Initially, only the rear-wheel drive models, the 3.4-litre Carrera and the 3.8-litre Carrera S, will be made available in 2012, while the range topping Turbo model is expected to follow in late 2012 to early 2013.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Expected: End 2012, Price: Rs 2.5 crore

Another Merc model that has already garnered rave reviews internationally, the SLS Roadster will be one for the super rich with an added dollop of style. The car has lost its roof and along with it, the impressive gullwing doors, but does not miss out on any bit of the German muscle-meets-supercar attitude. It still one of the best driver's cars anywhere in the world with even more panache than its roofed cousin, thanks to the foldable fabric drop top avatar, with exceptional dynamics and 650Nm of all-German V8 muscle.
The requisite strengthening of the frame minus its roof has resulted in a weight gain of around 40 kilos for the roadster, but with that much torque at its disposable, don't expect to notice to. Do prepare to pay a little more than Rs 2.5 crore for this one-in-a-million sculpture on wheels.

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