New Car Launches in 2011

Hatchbacks of 2011

This common man's segment saw some of the smart and best launches in 2011. From the entry level hatch from Hyundai, the EON which had all features to shake the grounds for Maruti's best-seller, the Alto to Honda's and Toyota's first mass market cars, the middle class man had a lot to choose from.

Where Hyundai's EON (Read : Launch Report) ranges from Rs. 2.69 lakh to Rs. 3.71 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), for a total of six variants on offer, Honda's Brio is available in four trim versions from Rs. 3.95 lakh to Rs. 5.10 lakh ex-showroom Delhi.

Giving neck-to-neck competition to Honda Brio was the Toyota's Etios Liva both in petrol and diesel. The Toyota Etios Liva (Read : Launch Report) has been priced between Rs. 3.99 - 5.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), and is available to customers in 5 trim variants including an optional package for the G variant. Whereas the GD variant of the Liva hatch is priced at Rs. 5.54 lakh going up to Rs. 5.84 lakh for same variant with the Safety Package option.

The Toyota Liva was quite a segment shaker! Having said that, the winner in this segment remains to be the new Maruti Suzuki Swift. Priced aggressively between Rs. 4.22 - 5.53 lakh for the petrol version and Rs. 5.17 - 6.38 lakh for the diesel version, the new Swift is a classic representation of a modern-day hatchback with all the capabilities and technologies.

Another entrant in the diesel world of hatchbacks was Chevrolet Beat Diesel (Read : Launch Report), though powered by a smaller capacity 936cc, 3-cylinder engine, the mass market's first smallest capacity diesel has the starting price of Rs. 4.30 lakhs to Rs. 5.46 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi

Sedans of 2011

Moving on to a segment which is fast evolving on every front from technology, to passenger comfort and overall performance, the sedan club is surely getting better. Catering to the needs, the manufacturers too have the best to offer on their palate. To start with, the new Hyundai Verna (Read : Launch Report) with its fluidic design concept has finally been a hit offering buyers four engine options priced at Rs. 6.99 lakh for the 1.4 petrol and Rs. 8.09 lakh for the 1.4 diesel option, and Rs. 7.64 - 10.74 lakh for the 1.6 litre petrol and diesel powerplants.

Another hot entrant in this segment was the New Ford Fiesta (Read : Launch Report). Ford has ushered in two all-new engines for the Indian market with the launch of this car. Both its petrol and diesel engines displace 1.5 litres, and are mated to 5-speed gearboxes priced from Rs. 8.44 lakhs to Rs. 10.44 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. The Fiesta will be offered in an automatic version next year.

Close up, is Toyota Etios (Read : Launch Report) which saw only its initial response overwhelming; infact people had booked their cars even before they took an actual look at it. Soon after there were complaints like poor pick-up, cheap plastics and varied noises. Despite the starting price of the Etios being Rs. 4.99 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi to Rs. 7.87 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.

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In the competition, a late entry, which came in the news, was the Skoda Rapid (Read : Launch Report) which despite being styled around the same platform as the Volkswagen Vento, had true Skoda characteristics in the making. Even  Nissan Sunny, Renault Fluence and Volvo S60 were clearly the cars are for those who like performance and luxury to be in complete sync with one another. 

However, the cars which remained a notch up from the rest were the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta (Read : Launch Report) and the all-new Volkswagen Passat (Read : Launch Report). Both these cars are based on the BlueMotion Technologies. BlueMotion is technology offered by Volkswagen that helps increase fuel efficiency and decrease emissions but at the same time keeps driving pleasure intact.

A complete let down for sedan lovers mainly because of the price was the Maruti Suzuki Kizashi (Read : Launch Report), which was priced between Rs. 16.50 - 17.50 lakh for its two variants on offer. Maruti wanted to find a spot in the more up-market and the aspirational section but could not leave out its image of just being a manufacturer for the common man.

SUV's of 2011

A sign of sheer power, presence and style, SUV's undoubtedly have a special look and feel to them. Blowing all numbers out in just first week of its launch, the Mahindra XUV 5OO (Read : Launch Report) blew everyone by a storm.

Available in three models, the XUV 5OO is powered by a 2.2 litre CRDe mHawk engine that makes 140 BHP @ 3750 rpm and 330Nm of torque @ 1600-2800 rpm, which is mated to a six speed manual gearbox. Priced between Rs.10.80 lakh and 12.88 lakh, the XUV 5OO, in true Mahindra fashion, has literally left everyone shell shocked at the amazing proposition.

Next up is the car with oodles of style and attitude, the Range Rover Evoque (Read : Launch Report) . At a starting price of Rs. 44.75 lakh (ex-showroom price in Mumbai, pre- Octroi), the new Range Rover Evoque will be available in three door petrol and a five door diesel version.

Renault Koleos and Force Motors Force One are two other SUV's launched during the year, which may become the next desirable 4x4 in the country. But a true blue off-roader of its kind is the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. This is the quintessential off-roader for those who are looking for the best in luxury as well as serious off-roading. The G-Wagon will take you wherever you want to go and let you do that in style.

Luxury entrants in 2011

This segment saw cars coming from the best of manufacturers—Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Bentley, obviously making all your whims and fancies true. Starting with the beast Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 (Read : Launch Report), has been priced at Rs. 3.69 crore ex-showroom Delhi.

Up close is Koenigsegg, who have made a strategic tie-up with Interglobe Established Products Limited, to get their Agera to the Indian shores.  Offerings from Audi include the New Audi A6, New Audi A8 L W12 quattro and the Audi RS5. All these cars have been the top of the line cars and scorching performers. 

Bentley also unveiled its new Continental GT setting higher standards in design and luxury by offering everything to its driver and co-passengers at the push of a button. The new Continental GT is available at Exclusive Motors Showroom in New Delhi and is priced at Rs. 1.9 crore (ex showroom subject to exchange rate and options).

Italian luxury car maker, Maserati also made its official India debut with its complete range - the Quattroporte, the GranTurismo and the GranCabrio. Prices range from Rs. 1.2 crore to 1.43 crore, ex- Showroom Delhi. Mercedes-Benz India also raised the bar of luxury motoring once again by pulling the wraps off its ultra luxurious Maybach 57 S & Maybach 62 for the Indian market.

Face-Lifted and Upgraded Cars

This segment caters to all category of cars which have been loved and most desired for, and you still can't stop asking more on them. Starting with one such car is Honda's Jazz (Read : Launch Report), which despite its high price bracket was always a head-turner. Now, that Honda has finally realised the reason for Jazz sales figures not going up, they decided to launch a new face-lifted Jazz which is now available at a price of Rs. 5.5 lakh for the base Jazz S model, making the new Jazz no longer an out of budget 'hot hatch' in India.

The smartly re-worked models of the new Toyota Corolla Altis (Read : Launch Report) retail for Rs. 10.53 to 14.77 lakh for the petrol version and Rs.11.46 to 14.55 lakh for the diesel version. This new Corolla Altis is surely a better, more luxurious and even slightly more powerful car.

Other entrants in this segment were the New Tata Indica Vista, New Mahindra Bolero, Tata Indica eV2 and the new Logan as the Mahindra Verito. The high end facelifts included the Mercedes-Benz new CLS 350 BlueEfficiencY, 2011 BMW X3 and BMW 6 Series Convertible.