2016 Auto Expo: Top 16 cars

1.) Maruti Suzuki Ignis: As an answer to the rapidly growing mini-SUV segment of cars, Maruti Suzuki debuted the Ignis concept at the 2016 Auto Expo. As opposed to the iM-4 concept showcased at the Geneva Motor Show last year, the Ignis concept is almost production ready. Like most other Maruti Suzuki offerings, the Ignis will sport a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel powerplant. The petrol mill churns out 84.3PS/115Nm while the diesel makes 90PS/190Nm. Both these engines employ a 5-speed manual transmission. The Ignis will be launched in the festive season and will be sold through the premium Nexa range of dealerships. Expect the Ignis to be priced starting Rs 5 lakh. 

2.) Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza: After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, Maruti Suzuki seems to be ready to make a comeback in the premium segment with a stronger lineup of cars. With the Vitara Brezza, Maruti Suzuki will enter the compact SUV class in the next few months. To begin with, Maruti Suzuki will only bring in the Vitara Brezza with the same 1.3-litre engine that is also seen on the Baleno, S-Cross, Ciaz and later in the Ignis. Like all new offerings from the Manesar-based car maker, expect this one to sport the SHVS system too. The Vitara Brezza is expected be priced cheaper than its immediate competition Ford EcoSport and the Mahidnra TUV300 and will carry a sticker price of Rs 6 lakh. 

3.) Toyota Innova Crysta: This year’s Auto Expo didn’t see too many unveilings in the MPV class. Of the few that were showcased, the one that grabbed a lot of eyeballs was undoubtedly the Toyota Innova Crysta. While the previous generation Innova gradually made its way into the people’s hearts, this new one will take it a bit further. It promises to be a lot more premium and spacious than its predecessor while keeping intact the reliability it has been known for. The new Innova will come with two engine options – the new 2.8-litre GD engine and a 2.0-litre VVT-i petrol unit. Both these will come mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed autobox. Toyota could also sell the current-gen Innova alongside this new offering. 

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4.) Honda BR-V: For someone looking to buy a 7-seater SUV, Honda will soon bring the BR-V into this segment. Expected to be priced at Rs 9-13 lakh, the BR-V will go against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and the Mahindra Scorpio. In terms of looks the BR-V looks identical to its MPV twin Mobilio. In fact, under the hood too, the BR-V will sport the same engine options – a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel unit. Power will be sent to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual in the petrol and a 6-speed manual in the diesel. The Honda BR-V will go on sale in May 2016.  

5.) Volkswagen Ameo: Volkswagen has finally joined the sub-4 metre sedan party with the Ameo, albeit a bit late. Unveiled a day prior to the 2016 Auto Expo, the Ameo follows VW’s design language making it look identical to the Vento and the Polo. Hiding under the bonnet, are the same powerplants from the Polo – a 1.2-litre 3 cylinder petrol unit and a 1.5-litre 4-pot diesel. In sync with the current trend, VW has also fitted the Ameo with all sorts of gizmos. The Ameo will go on sale within the next six months and will be launched at a starting price of Rs 5.5 lakh. 

6.) Volkswagen Tiguan: For the first time in India at the 2016 Auto Expo Volkswagen showcased the Tiguan. Tiguan is a compact SUV based on the same platform that underpins the Volkswagen Passat and the Skoda Octavia. While the international model comes with a range of diesel engines, the Tiguan is expected to come to India with VW’s bread and butter 2.0-litre TDI. The Tiguan will be offered in front-wheel drive as well as all-wheel drive options. The Tiguan is expected to be launched in the Indian market towards the end of the year at around Rs 28 lakh. It will compete against the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and the likes. 

7.) Tata Kite 5: While 2015 didn’t see a lot of action in sedan class, this year is expected to be a lot different. Aside from the Ameo, Tata too will bring in the new compact sedan that is currently being called Kite 5. Based on what was called the Zica hatchback, the Kite 5 will be positioned lower than the Zest which too is a suv-4 metre sedan. As far as the engine goes, the Kite 5 will get the same engine options as the Zica hatchback – a 1.2-litre 3-pot petrol mill and a 1.0-litre diesel. The Kite 5 will not compete against the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire, the Honda Amaze and the likes but will form a new segment of its own. The car is expected to be launched late this year. 

8.) Tata Nexon: Almost every car maker unveiled a new offering in the SUV class at the 2016 Auto Expo. Not wanting to fall behind, Tata took the wraps off the Nexon compact SUV. While Tata hasn’t quite revealed specific details about the Nexon as yet, we expect it to sport the same engine options as the Bolt. The compact SUV will come with a 1.2-litre turbocharged unit that will make around 90-100PS and the Fiat sourced 1.3-litre diesel that will make about 90PS too. The car will come mated to a manual as well as an AMT ‘box.

9.) Chevrolet Essentia: Chevrolet is another car maker that is a bit late to join the compact sedan party. The American car maker took the wraps off the Essentia compact sedan at the 2016 Auto Expo. In terms of looks, the Essentia has a typically Chevrolet front with the split front grille and the bow-tie logo. The Essentia is rich in terms of features and fairly spacious too. There is a marginal lack of space at the back but the boot is quite large and spacious. Chevrolet hasn’t revealed any engine details about the Essentia as yet. 

10.) Hyundai Tucson: To be launched later this year, Hyundai showcased the Tucson at the 2016 Auto Expo. Built on an all-new platform, the Tucson is generous in terms of space. Expect the Tucson to be well equipped and well built. In terms of looks though, the Tucson will look like a smaller version of the SantaFe. To be positioned between the Creta and the SantaFe, the Tucson will be launched in India sometime this year at around Rs 18 lakh.

11.) Jaguar XE and F-Pace: Very few cars were launched at the 2016 Auto Expo. Off them, the one that stole much of the limelight was undoubtedly the Jaguar XE. Stepping into the entry-level luxury car segment, Jaguar brought in the XE sedan at Rs 39.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The car has been launched in petrol as well as diesel variants, both of which come in two states of tune. The XE will lock horns with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4. Along with the XE, Jaguar also showcased its all-new SUV, the F-Pace for the first time in India. This car shares it engines with the XE and will go on sale in India in the next few months. 

12.) BMW X1: BMW gave the X1 a much needed update and launched it at a starting price of Rs 29.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The X1 now flaunts BMW’s new design language with the large kidney grille and a more powerful stance up front. The car now features a front wheel drive arrangement which has allowed BMW to free up more space on the inside. At the heart of things, the X1 gets a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel motor that churns out 192PS and comes married to a -speed Steptronic gearbox. 

13.) Mercedes-Benz GLC: To take on the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Volvo XC90, Mercedes-Benz will soon bring in the GLC. The mid-sized luxury SUV will come with petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol trim is the GLC 250, not offered on the current crop of models in India and develops 214PS of power and 350Nm of torque. But it is the diesel that everyone would be interested in, with the 172PS/400Nm engine. The GLC will come with the new 9-speed automatic gearbox. The Mercedes-Benz GLC will make its way to India sometime this year. 

14.) Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler:  After a long wait, the Jeep brand will finally make its way to India. As expected Jeep will bring in the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee. But aside from the two, Jeep will also be launching the more powerful Grand Cherokee SRT. The Grand Cherokee will go against the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE while the Wrangler will compete against the Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner and the likes. Expect the Grand Cherokee to be priced around Rs 50 lakh and the Wrangler to be priced around Rs 30 lakh. 

15.) Audi A4 and R8 V10 Plus: At the 2016 Auto Expo, Audi revealed its plans of launching 10 new cars this year. As part of this plan the Ingolstadt based car maker has already brought in the new R8 V10 Plus at Rs 2.47 crore (ex-showroom Mumbai and Delhi). But one of the most important cars for the four-ringed brand will probably be the new A4. Set to be launched with two engine options – a 2.0litre TFSI petrol unit and a 2.0-litre TDI unit the new A4 promises to be considerably more efficient than its predecessor. The A4 will also shed around 120kg thanks to its all new platform. The A4 will go against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the newly launched BMW 3 Series and the Jaguar XE. 

16.) Renault Kwid 1.0-litre and Duster Facelift: Last year, Renault shook the entry-level hatchback segment with the launch of the new Kwid. This year, they intend to take the game forward by plonking a more powerful 1.0-litre engine. This engine will also be offered with an AMT option. To be sold alongside the 800cc version, the Kwid 1.0-litre will go against the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10. Renault also showcased the facelifted Duster that is expected to go on sale later this year. The Duster too will get an AMT variant, also features an evolved "Electricals and Electronics" architecture and a new CM10 engine. The updated Renault Duster will also sport minor cosmetic changes.