Audi
Audi showcased its Q3 compact SUV at the Auto Expo. The company will offer the Q3 with both front-wheel and four-wheel-drive options. Prices are likely to be competitive and to lower costs, Audi will assemble the Q3 at Skoda and VW’s Aurangabad facility. Apart from the Q3, Audi also showcased the A3 E-Tron as well as a lineup of regular production cars that included its range of saloons, SUVs and sports cars.
Bajaj
Bajaj Auto displayed its first low-cost, four wheeled city vehicle at the expo – although its basic platform and design means it’s more rickshaw-replacement than passenger car. The lightweight RE60 aims to set a new benchmark in areas of fuel-efficiency and emissions. It features 2+2 or 1+3 seating layout options, a 44-litre boot and a top speed of 70kph. Prices will be revealed closer to when production of the car begins in a few months.
BMW
The German carmaker has launched its powerful new M5 saloon. The M5 is powered by a twin-turbo, 4.4-litre V8 that pumps out 552bhp and 64.9kgm of torque. The four-door supercar has been priced at Rs 95.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Also on display is the Mini range, including the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Countryman. The BMW-owned manufacturer will bring its four-model offering to India as CBUs.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet is all-set to kick off its Wulling-based SAIC endeavour with its MPV – known as the CN100 in China – and the Sail hatchback. Chevrolet unveiled the facelifted ‘Neo3’ Tavera and an updated Captiva as well. The Captiva gets a design upgrade and will get a new 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The Tavera gets a new bold exterior profile and will be powered by an ICML-sourced BS IV-compliant 2.0-litre CRDI engine.
Ducati
The Auto Expo saw the Indian launch of Ducati’s naked superbike, the Monster 795. What’s more is, due to the overwhelming response it received, Ducati decided to slash the price of the Monster by Rs 1 lakh and it is now available at an introductory limited-period price of Rs 5,99,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bookings have commenced but deliveries will only commence post March 2012
Ford
Ford revealed its all-new global compact SUV concept, the EcoSport. The EcoSport cleverly combines the charm of an SUV, the frugality of small engines, cutting-edge styling and a very affordable price-tag. It will debut with a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder, direct injection ‘EcoBoost’ turbo-petrol motor. It will also get the 1.5-litre diesel engine that currently does duty in the Fiesta. Ford also has on display its existing line-up, which includes its Fiesta saloon, the Endeavour and the Figo.
Hero MotoCorp
Newly christened Hero MotoCorp unveiled its concept scooter, the Leap, at the Auto Expo. The battery- and petrol-run scooter is still in its early days and Hero MotoCorp still has to finalise production dates for the Leap. Hero also showcased its 125cc bike, the Ignitor, along with its first 110cc bike, the Passion X Pro and its 110cc automatic scooter, the masculine Maestro.
by autocar
