The new year around the corner, and so are the new cars!
Guess what, upcoming auto expo will further exaggerate this CAR-nival!
So the following are the upcoming SMALL cars which are sure to be launched in 2012 and don’t worry, everything here is legit and rechecked with industries’ finest automobile gurus!
This will be in the order of price.
1. TATA NANO 2.0:
Yes, the 2.0 name isn’t the real name, but as the car’s name itself is scientific, so I’ve added this…
Let’s face it, NANO is still a crude car with so many things that aren’t world class, even TATA knows that and they are constantly trying to improve. They regularly check with the existing owners and ask for their suggestions and they’ve managed to further improve the car. There were some key issues, one of which is the rear area. There’s no boot release! So they’ve an opening rear hatch and much needed power steering. Plus expect some minor tweaks in the interiors too! And a micro diesel engine is on the cards whose mileage can be compared to a two wheeler!
ENGINE OPTIONS: 600CC PETROL, 800CC DIESEL (ESTIMATED).
PRICES: 1.75L-2.25L FOR PETROL, 2L-2.75L FOR DIESEL.
EXPECTED: 1ST QUARTER
2. MARUTI SUZUKI 800:
Yes, the legend is coming back to reclaim its title from the new HYUNDAI Eon and TATA NANO. It promises to be the best cheapest yet reliable car of India. So there will be some compromises. Like, the engine will be the same old 796cc engine, used in the old 800 and ALTO. Many parts and components will also be shared with the ALTO, but the point is that when it’s launched at a price point of that of HYUNDAI’s or the TATA’s, I don’t think people will shift to the competition and will choose new 800 without second thoughts! Though In my views I would’ve loved it if they launched the SUZUKI CERVO and renamed it to 800!
ENGINE OPTIONS: 796cc petrol.
PRICES: sub 2L-2.75L
EXPECTED: 1ST HALF
NEXT UP, THE COSTLIER AND BIGGER HATCHES AND NOTCHES!
3. CHEVROLET SAIL:
Chevy has been very aggressive in the emerging markets like India and china. This model was completely designed in china and for china, but it’ll make it to India and hopefully to Thailand, Malaysia too! Looks aren’t as radical as the BEAT but it promises to be spacious from inside. However, it’s too early to talk about engine options and other attributes. But yes, diesel engine option will be available and also, it’ll be followed by a sedan version in the near future.
ENGINE OPTIONS: PETROL (1.2LTR), DIESEL (1LTR-1.3LTR - ESTIMATED)
PRICES: 4L ONWARDS FOR PETROL. 5L FOR DIESEL.
EXPECTED: 1ST QUARTER
4. FIAT PUNTO EVO:
Nothing much is new about this car, only the exteriors are inspired by the FIAT 500 and so it looks a li’l different. Interiors too, will be changed though it’ll cost a li’l more than the current ongoing model. Engine options are most likely to remain same.
ENGINE OPTIONS: 1.2 & 1.4LITRE PETROL, 1.3 DIESEL
PRICES: 4.5L ONWARDS
EXPECTED: 1ST QUARTER
5. MAHINDRA REVA NXR:
YES, finally a car for environmentalists! Remember the previous REVAs? Highly impractical and over priced…?? Well, now they’re trying to change that image… just look at it! Radical as before, it also looks like a normal car, which is a first for REVA! It’s a 2 door city car with 4 seats and covers 80kms in a full charge. A costly version may also follow with lithium ion batteries which can last for 160kms in a single charge!
ENGINE OPTIONS: battery powered electric motor.
BATTERY OPTIONS: LEAD ACID, (RANGE: 80KMS) & LI-ION (RANGE: 160KMS)
PRICES: 3.5L ONWARDS
EXPECTED: 2ND HALF
6. MAHINDRA VERITO MINI:
This is essentially a sub 4 meters version that avails the tax exemption and thus reducing the price substantially. It’ll sport a diesel engine sourced from RENAULT. Strong built and spacious interiors will be its USP.
ENGINE OPTIONS: 1.ltr DIESEL
PRICES: UNDER 5L
EXPECTED: ANYTIME NOW.
7. TATA MANZA MINI:
Again, it is a sub 4 meter version car to reduce prices of the car. It will not have many changes as expected but the biggest surprise may still be the pricing of this car. But don’t expect this car to launch anytime soon.
ENGINE OPTIONS: 1.2LTR PETROL & 1.3LTR DIESEL.
PRICES: SUB 5L, EVEN 4.5Ls!
EXPECTED: 4TH QUARTER
8. FORD ECOSPORTS:
Always wanted to buy a SUV but didn’t want the extra 3rd row or the big size? Well, this might suit you perfectly! This small, or shall I say micro SUV is a sub 4 meters long car and may have a small, 1.5 ltr diesel engine that could cost us anywhere around 5-6lakhs! Wouldn’t this be a gr8 competition to MAHINDRA XYLO MINI? This might be placed with the premium hatchbacks. It’ll have 5 seats.
ENGINE OPTIONS: TOO SOON TO SPEAK.
PRICES: 5-6L (ASSUMED)
EXPECTED: JUNE-JULY
9. MAHINDRA XYLO MINI:
Yes, it’s true; the XYLO will be launched in a smaller avatar that won’t have the 3rd row of seats. It’ll be less than 4 meters of length to avail the tax benefit. It’ll be powered by a RENAULT powered 1.5ltr diesel engine and pricing is expected to be as competitive as any other premium hatchback or an entry level sedan! Though ford has already planned its rival in ECOSPORT!
ENGINE OPTIONS: (ASSUMED) 1.5LTR DIESEL
PRICES: 4.5-6L
EXPECTED: EARLY 2012
10. MARUTI SUZUKI DZIRE MINI:
Looks like TATA’s super hit concept of cutting a sedan’s boot space so that the car can be under 4meters of length to avail tax benefits, is a super hit! Not only sedans but even SUVs are following TATA’s lead! Even the grand supremo MARUTI SUZUKI has taken inspiration from this and has designed a smaller version of the DZIRE! It’ll be less than 4 meters in length and will be a li’l bigger than the SWIFT and much shorter than the DZIRE!
ENGINE OPTIONS: 1.2ltr PETROL & 1.3LTR DIESEL
PRICES: 4.5-6L
EXPECTED: MID 2012
11. MARUTI SUZUKI ERTIGA:
Remember the futuristic MPV from MS in the Delhi auto expo 2010? Yes, its finally here and is all set to roll out! It has 7 seats is a big car though the proportions are small car like so you have to give it a 2nd look to really FIGURE OUT that it’s a big car! It’ll be priced just below SUMO GRANDE AND XYLO, and will have both diesel and petrol engine options!
ENGINE OPTIONS: 1.2 ltr and 1.6ltr petrol engine plus a 1.3ltr diesel engine.
PRICES: 6-8L
EXPECTED: MID 2012
12. NISSAN SUNNY DIESEL:
Well, the car has given a lukewarm response to all and all the critics are saying that it needs a diesel engine badly, so it’ll have the same old RENAULT diesel engine that powers the MICRA and VERITO.
ENGINE OPTIONS: 1.5LTR DIESEL
PRICES: 6.5-8L
EXPECTED: EARLY 2012
13. SKODA RAPID:
Its nothing but a elongated version of SKODA FABIA which is exactly similar to VOLKSWAGEN VENTO. The exteriors are so much like VENTO, and interiors will be derived from the FABIA. Engine options might be exactly like the VENTO’s and will be a direct rival to the benchmark, HONDA CITY.
ENGINE OPTIONS: 1.6LTR DIESEL AND PETROL.
PRICES: 7.5-9L
EXPECTED: EARLY 2012
14. RENAULT PULSE:
I really can’t say much about this car, as it’ll be unveiled on the race day of 2011 formula one, delhi. But it’ll be as long a MICRA and will share many parts and even engine options!
ENGINE OPTIONS: 1.5ltr DIESEL AND A PETROL ENGINE.
PRICES: 5-7L
EXPECTED: VERY SOON.
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