With the New Year 2011 started, it’s time to take a look at the cars expected in this year. 2010 was a bumper year for the Indian car fans with launches as the Etios, Figo, Micra and Polo. Now, as the Indian auto market is growing at its best pace ever, the auto biggies are eying to make the most of this ongoing high demand momentum by expanding their India portfolio.
Same as the scenario was throughout last year, a slew of new cars is ready to enter the Indian roads this year as well. Major car makers such as Maruti, GM, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Renault are gearing-up to launch their respective new portfolio car models in the Indian market. Here is a brief description of the much anticipated upcoming cars in India in year 2011.
Maruti Kizashi
Indian auto giant Maruti Suzuki is coming-up with a series of new cars in the country throughout this year. The most awaited among these is company’s high-profile premium sedan – Maruti Kizashi – that will be launched in the Indian market in the second half of January 2011. The Kizashi sedan would be sporting a 2.0L petrol engine and is expected to be shelved in the price segment of Rs 14 to 16 lakh. The major competitors of the Kizashi will be Toyota Corolla Altis, Chevrolet Cruze and Honda Civic. The car will be imported to the Indian market as a completely built unit (CBU) from Suzuki’s base market in Japan.
The Kizashi is Maruti’s first attempt to enter the premium sedan market, and will thus will be a very important and interesting event in the Indian car scenario.
Maruti SX4 Diesel
The SX4 diesel is yet another much awaited Maruti car in India that is expected to be rolled-out in the Indian market by the first quarter of year 2011. The new SX4 diesel variant will come powered by a 1.3L turbo charged diesel engine. The car is expected to be launched in the price segment of sub Rs 7 lakh. The company has in fact already started assembling the car at its Gurgaon plant.
New Maruti Swift and Swift Dzire
After launching the Kizashi and SX4 diesel in the first half of this year, the company plans to launch upgraded version of its popular premium hatchback Swift and volume driving entry level sedan Swift Dzire. The new Maruti Swift Dzire model is speculated to come with a shorter length (less than 4 meters) and also with price reduced by over Rs 40,000, due to lower taxes applicable. On the other hand the hatchback Swift is expected to come with a number of cosmetic changes at both exterior and interior front.
New Maruti Swift Spy Shots
Maruti Cervo
This is yet another Maruti car that is lined-up to hit the Indian roads by the end of this year. The Maruti Cervo will be placed in the price segment of sub Rs 2 lakh where it will be competing with the small car Tata Nano and Hyundai’s upcoming 800cc small car. It is expected to sport a 0.6L, 60 bhp engine and is claimed to be offering a segment leading fuel economy.
Given the car’s specs and pricing, the Maruti Cervo is sure to be one of the most awaited launches this year!
Toyota Etios Liva
After launching the sedan version of Etios in the Dec 2010, Toyota is all set to launch the hatchback Etios Liva in the Indian market in April 2011. The car will be sporting a 1.2L petrol engine that is expected to deliver a peak power of 80 bhp. A concept version of this model was showcased at the Delhi auto expo in January 2010, where it had received an applauding response from the car enthusiasts. The car is expected to be launched in the price range of Rs 4 to 6 lakh where it will be competing with the likes of Maruti Swift, Hyundai i10, Ford Figo, Chevrolet Beat and Volkswagen Polo.
Renault Fluence
After splitting up with Mahindra, Renault is now looking at cracking the Indian market on its own. Plans are well underway and company has announced its Premium sedan Renault Fluence which will be rolled-out in the Indian market in May 2011.
The Fluence is expected to be set in the price segment of Rs 12 to 14 lakh where it will be competing with the likes of Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis and Chevrolet Cruze. The company will commence the commercial production of this car in April 2011 at its Chennai facility.
Renault Koleos
Following the launch of sedan Fluence in May 2011, the company is planning to roll-out a compact luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) – Koleos – in the Indian market by sometime around October 2011.The new Renault Koleos will be competing with the likes of Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Outlander, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Ford Endeavour. The car is expected to be rolled out in the price segment of Rs 16 to 20 lakh.
Nissan’s New Global Sedan
The Japanese auto giant Nissan that had launched its compact hatchback Micra in the Indian market in July 2010, is now gearing-up to launch its New Global Sedan in the Indian market by the last quarter of year 2011. The company has released sketches of the car and announced that is an all new car based on the Nissan V platform, common to the Micra.
The car is expected to be shelved in the price segment of sub Rs 7 lakh and will be fighting for space with the likes of Maruti Swift Dzire, Volkswagen Vento, Toyota Etios and Ford Fiesta.
Honda Brio
The Honda Brio is one of the most awaited cars in India that will be launched in the country in the upcoming Diwali season. The Honda Brio hatchback will be carrying a 1.2L petrol engine and is expected to be offered in the price segment of sub Rs 5 lakh. The major competitors of this model in the Indian market will be Ford Figo, Volkswagen Polo, Nissan Micra, Chevrolet Beat, Hyundai i10 and upcoming Toyota Etios Liva.
The Brio will be Honda’s first entry into the budget segment, thus forming another important event for the Indian market.
Hyundai’ New 800CC Small Car
Hyundai India is planning to launch its 800cc small car in the Indian market by the end of this year. The car will be shelved against the best selling Maruti Alto and the country’s cheapest car Tata Nano in the price segment of sub Rs 2 lakh. It will be the cheapest car in Hyundai’s India portfolio and expected to drive high volume for the company.
Besides the above hot favorites, there is a slew of other cars that is expected to be rolled-out in the Indian market this year. These cars include Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Sail, Chevrolet Spark Electric, Volkswagen Golf, Tata New Safari, Mahindra Mini-Xylo, a new mini-SUV from Maruti, new Volkswagen Jetta 2011and Passat 2011. For a full overview of the launches in India, please visit our Upcoming Cars section.
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Sail
Volkswagen Golf
New Tata Safari Spy Shots
Volkswagen Jetta
As we look forward to an exciting 2011, we hope you keep on visiting us to stay abreast of the latest in the Indian car market.
