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Looking forward to 2011? We certainly are. Here’s why!

TOYOTA ETIOS LIVA

WHY BOTHER?
The Liva will probably be really big for Toyota, given its pricing and size. Expected to be priced at par with the Suzuki Swift, the Liva will be Toyota’s cheapest offering in India. On offer will be two engines – a 1.2-litre petrol motor producing 80 bhp and a 1.4-litre diesel motor from the Toyota Corolla, with 70-odd bhp. The sedan’s 1.5-litre motor may be offered too, but at a later stage. Performance will be strong, given the Liva’s light weight, but importantly the hatch will be among the most spacious in its class. If you were thinking of a practical, sub-Rs 5 lakh hatch in 2011, this could be it.

 

HOW MUCH?
Rs 4.2-5.5 lakh

WHEN?
Feb-March 2011

HONDA BRIO

WHY BOTHER?
Like the Liva, the Brio will be Honda’s cheapest car in India. But unlike the Liva, the Brio is a more stylish offering, with more focus on keeping Honda’s attributes intact. A looker, the Brio will be more Swift-like in its approach and will sport a unique glass hatch, which goes back to the days of the original Maruti 800. Space should be decent, while build quality is expected to be a notch ahead of the little Toyota. Powering the Brio will be the Jazz’s 1.2-litre i-VTEC motor, that may produce somewhere between 80 and 89 bhp. Compact and lightweight, the Brio should be a fun car to motor in while being efficient too. A sedan based on the Brio platform is on the cards, while a diesel engine may be offered come 2012.

HOW MUCH?
Rs 4.3-5.3 lakh

WHEN?
August-September 2011

MARUTI SUZUKI SWIFT

WHY BOTHER?
Maruti literally created the premium B-segment hatch market and has ruled it for nearly six years. Now, it's time for them to entrench themselves firmly and what better than to bring in the next-gen Swift? Outwardly, the new Swift doesn't look too different from the current model, but it is larger and longer . Step inside and a new dashboard with better quality materials and better fittings can be found. Interior space is also expected to improve marginally. Under the hood, the same two motors that power the current Swift may be offered; however a new 1.2-litre variable valve tech engine with over 90 bhp may be offered too. Pricing is expected to be marginally higher than the current model, but crucially, the Swift's fun-to-drive factor won't be lost. A dark horse in 2011? You bet!

HOW MUCH?
Rs 4-6 lakh

WHEN?
May-June 2011

FORD FIESTA

WHY BOTHER?
This is the first of the modern Fords to finally grace Indian shores. From what we've heard and read about it, it is going to change our perception about Ford. Modern exteriors and funky interiors, with good quality materials, is what makes the Fiesta stand apart from the rest of the C segment crowd, which should help Ford close the gap on its rivals. Two new engines will power the Ford – a 1.6-litre Duratec engine with 118 bhp and a 1.6-litre diesel engine with 91 bhp. Both these engines are peppy and lively and given the good dynamics of Fords, should make the two a riot to drive. An automatic option may also be offered at a later date. Space may not be distinctly different from the current Fiesta saloon, but expect this one to take the likes of the Honda City and VW Vento head-on.

HOW MUCH?
Rs 7-9 lakh

WHEN?
March-April 2011

RENAULT FLUENCE & KOLEOS

WHY BOTHER?
Renault has had a not-so-fabulous entry into India with the Logan, and it went about repairing this by first ending its JV with Mahindra and solely concentrating on its own efforts. It will begin its innings with the Fluence sedan and the Koleos SUV, both of which should be here by the end of the year. The Fluence is a Honda Civic-rivalling saloon that was launched in Europe in 2009. Smart looking and with lots of space on the inside, the Fluence will be powered by two engine options – a revised version of the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine found on the Logan, with 105 bhp, and a 140 bhp, 2.0-litre petrol engine. The Koleos is a compact SUV that will take on the likes of the Skoda Yeti and Tata Aria. It will be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel producing either 148 bhp or 171 bhp. Both the Fluence and Koleos will also be offered with automatic options at a future date.

HOW MUCH?
Rs 10-17 lakh

WHEN?
June-September 2011

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

WHY BOTHER?
The Jetta was once the cheapest VW sold in India, if you can believe it. This Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis competitor commands a premium over both, which is perhaps one of the reasons it hasn't done the same sales numbers. However, the all-new Jetta is a definite option if you're looking for a car in this segment. It looks crisp, fresh and rather striking, especially from the side and rear. There's increased rear legroom, and the ride, although a little on the stiff side, is mature. The 2-litre common-rail diesel, with 140 bhp, is refined, powerful and frugal, whereas the 2-litre petrol, putting out 115 bhp, is a strong performer too; it will follow the diesel engine. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be on offer.

HOW MUCH?
Rs 14-17 lakh

WHEN?
March/April 2011

MARUTI SUZUKI KIZASHI

WHY BOTHER?
Suzuki is betting big on the Kizashi, their entry in the premium D-segment game. It has a chunky, substantial look to it, in the same way as the SX4, and it's very well-built indeed. It'll come with the Grand Vitara's 2.4-litre petrol engine, putting out about 170 bhp; the engine will be mated to an automatic gearbox, with a manual being a possibility as well. Being a CBU, it won't be cheap - in fact it'll be the most expensive Suzuki on sale in India, slotting between the VW Jetta and the Honda Accord.

HOW MUCH?
Rs 16-18 lakh

WHEN?
January 2011

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

WHY BOTHER?
This was the first car that VW launched in India and it was a very good D-segment sedan, but it didn't sell that well, due to various reasons. The all-new Passat aims to change all that. It now looks exciting, unlike the older car, with edgy styling and some cues from the Audi A4. It's loaded to the gills with technology and features, a lot of it from the Phaeton – Park Assist, start-stop, regenerative braking, Fatigue Detection, Dynamic Light Assist and city-speed automatic emergency braking, to name a few. Some won't make it to India, but expect it to be feature-rich nonetheless. The engines on offer will be a 2-litre common-rail diesel and a 1.8-litre TSI petrol, with perhaps a 1.6-litre turbo diesel thrown into the mix. This car's second innings should be more interesting than its first!

HOW MUCH?
Rs 19-25 lakh

WHEN?
August/September 2011

AND THERE’S ALSO...
Aston Martin will make its India debut along with Ferrari in 2011. First up, Aston Martin will formally start its operations in February and is already taking bookings and delivering its first cars. Expect the whole range of cars, from the Rapide sports saloon to the DB9, Vantage and DBS to be on offer, with prices in the range of Rs 1 to 3 crore. Ferrari, like Aston, will begin operations in the twin cities of Mumbai and New Delhi, but will arrive later, around June-July 2011. Once again, Ferrari will offer its whole range, from the 458 Italia and California to the 612 Scaglietti and 599 GTB. Prices for the prancing horse supercars are expected to range in the region of Rs 1.5 to 3.5 crore. Mahindra and its new South Korean acquisition Ssangyong too will offer their W201 and Korando/Rexton SUVs this year. The W201 (codename) SUV is Mahindra's first full-monocoque offering and will be priced in the region of Rs 15-17 lakh. The Korando from Ssangyong is also expected to be similarly priced and will be assembled in Chakan in Pune. Audi will offer not one, but two new cars. The new A8 will be the first to go on sale, with prices ranging from Rs 80 lakh to 1.4 crore for its flagship saloon.

Bookings have already commenced, with a launch slated sometime in January. The new A6 will go on sale sometime during the festive season and will come with a host of four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel options. Prices are expected to range between Rs 41 lakh and 58 lakh.