Top Cars From 2019 LA Auto Show That Might Come To India

Press days of the ongoing 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show has come to an end with various manufacturers exhibiting a wide range of cars. Some of the major car makers include Toyota, Mercedes, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, and Audi. Although, most of the cars showcased at the Auto Expo is destined for the American markets, there is a very small bunch of cars that might make it to India. Here are some of them: 

Vision T 

Hyundai took the wraps off the Vision T plug-in-hybrid SUV concept at the LA Auto Show. The Vision T gives us a glimpse of the next-gen Tucson SUV, which is expected to debut soon. The front-end design draws a similarity with the Tucson. Another connecting link is that the concept is also a hybris like the next-gen Tucson. The Vision T borrows various styling bits from the Kia Futuron concept. 

e-tron Sportback 

The e-tron Sportback with the sloping roof might not come to India but we are definitely getting the standard e-tron. We expect Audi to bring in the e-tron by the end of 2019. The German carmaker has already showcased the all-electric SUV in India. It is powered by a 95kWH battery pack which is capable of 400km on a single charge. Maximum output is rated at 408PS and 664Nm of torque. We expect Audi to offer with a price tag around Rs 1.40 crore, ex-showroom India. 

RS Q8

The Lamborghini Urus has got a new rival from its own family line. The RS Q8 brings some serious numbers to the table at a more affordable price tag. Under the hood is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that develops 600PS and 800Nm.  Zero to 100kmph comes up in 3.8 seconds with the top speed rated at 250kmph. Audi is expected to offer the RS Q8 from mid 2020 with prices starting at EUR 127,000 (Rs 1.01 crore). Considering the Urus is doing well in India, there’s a very thin chance that Audi might bring it here. 

2021 Kia Seltos

Kia unveiled the 2021 US-spec Seltos at the 2019 LA Auto Show. The SUV gets some minor design change, 18-inch wheels and updates to the cabin such as a separate touchscreen and speedometer console and physical buttons for the infotainment system. Mechanical changes include a bigger 1.6-litre turbocharged T-GDI putting out 177PS/265Nm and a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine with 150PS and 180Nm. The Seltos is relatively novel in India but we can’t rule out the possibility of an update in the future. 

Porsche Taycan 4s

The Taycan Turbo and Turbo S is India-bound and is expected to hit our shores by early-2020. That said, the entry-level 4S actually makes more sense in India. Why? It is cheaper than the top-spec Turbo S by a substantial  USD 76,000 (Rs 54 lakh)! What you get is a downsized 79.2kWh battery pack pushing out 530PS along with a driving range of 463km. Sounds more than enough for India, right? 

Macan Turbo 

Porsche India has listed the Macan Turbo in their website. Although the launch date is yet to be revealed, we expect the Macan Turbo to debut in India by next year. What it packs is a downsized 2.9-litre V6 that puts out 440PS and 550Nm. Naught to 100kmph comes up  in 4.3 seconds and 4.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package with a top-speed of 270kmph. Currently, the Macan is priced from Rs 69.98 to Rs 85.03 lakh in India. 

2 Series Gran Coupe 

The 2 Series Gran Coupe also uses a FWD drivetrain setup and a chassis borrowed from the new 1 Series. Three powertrain options on offer are: 1.5-litre, a 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre. Depending upon the engine, the sedan produces an output figure ranging from 140PS to  306PS. There is also a performance oriented AWD version called the M235i XDrive. It also gets some top-shelf parts such as a mechanical Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD), M Sport steering, M Sport brakes and launch control. And guess what, BMW is likely to bring in the 2 Series Gran Coupe to India by 2021.

GLE AMG/GLS AMG

The GLS and the GLE 63 gets the same 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine in the same state of tune-  611PS of power and 850Nm of torque. Present is a 48-volt electrical system which boosts the output figures by 21PS and 250Nm. This takes the combined torque output to 1100Nm. An AMG Speedtronic 9-speed gearbox takes care of the transmission duties. 

The GLS 63 can sprint to 100kmph in 4.1 seconds with the top-speed limited to 280kmph. Prices for the GLS 63 start at USD 126,150 (Rs 90.55 lakh) and USD 110,000 (Rs 78.95 lakh) for the GLE 63