Renault Duster

Renault wants a presence in each segment of the car market and will be ready with its Duster mini-SUV by July next year. The Duster shares its platform with the Logan (now Mahindra Verito), so should be able to take a fair bit of abuse. But this is no off-roader in the true sense and will be sold in India in a two-wheel-drive avatar only. Interior space is impressive and, just like on the Logan, ride quality is nice and supple too. The Duster will have  1.6 petrol (105bhp) and 1.5 diesel (90bhp) engines. A more powerful 107bhp 1.5 diesel with reduced turbo lag will also be on offer. Expect prices to start at Rs 7 lakh for the base petrol-engined Duster. 

 

Factfile:

Engines: 1.6-litre petrol, 1.5-litre

diesel, 1.5-litre diesel

Power/Torque: 105bhp/15.1kgm,

90bhp/20.4kgm, 107bhp/24.5kgm

Kerb weight: 1205kg

L/W/H: 4315/1822/1695mm

Expected: July 2012

Price: Rs 7-8 lakh

New Porsche 911

It may not look radically different from its predecessor but this is the all-new sixth-generation 911.  The car will go on sale in India soon after right-hand-drive sales commence globally. It will initially be sold in rear-wheel-drive Carrera (3.4 litre) and Carrera S (3.8 litre) coupé guises. Cabriolet and four-wheel-drive variants will follow in 2012, and pave the way for a range-topping 523bhp Turbo in 2013. The new 911 will sport a new seven-speed manual gearbox — a first for a series production road car. Apart from increased power and improved emissions, the new 911’s chassis has also been worked on for improved ride and even better dynamics.

 

Factfile:

Engines: 3.4-litre petrol, 

3.8-litre petrol

Power/Torque: 345bhp/39.8kgm,

394bhp/44.9kgm

Kerb weight: 1455-1470kg

L/W/H: 4491/1808/1295mm

Expected: September 2012

Price: From Rs 90 lakh

Renault Pulse

Auto Expo 2012 will be the venue for the launch of Renault’s first hatchback for India the Pulse, (earlier codenamed B58). The Pulse shares its platform with the Micra and will be built alongside it at Renault-Nissan’s Chennai plant. Dimensions are be near-identical to the Micra and likewise should weigh less than a tonne, which will reap huge dividends in terms of economy. While the two cars will share many components including engines, the Pulse is easily identifiable as a Renault . However, the two cars share the dashboard design as tooling for a new dashboard entails considerable expense. Pricing should be at par with the Micra, so it will be interesting to see if the Renault can eat into Nissan sales. 

 

Factfile: 

Engines: 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel

Power/Torque: 75bhp/10.6kgm,

63bhp/16.3kgm

Kerb weight: NA

L/W/H: NA

Expected: January 2012

Price: Rs 4.5-6 lakh

Renault hatchback will be similar to the Nissan Micra.

Renault L58

Renault’s new midsize car (codename: L58) will be to the Nissan Sunny what the Pulse is to the Micra. The cars will share the same platform, engines and, in all likelihood, the same interiors. However, exterior styling will be quite different. Engine options will include a 105bhp, 1.5-litre petrol and an 86bhp, 1.5-litre diesel. Renault will price the car aggressively, so expect this exciting new saloon to cost between Rs 7-9 lakh when it is launched in September 2012.  

 

Factfile: 

Engines: 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel

Power/Torque: 97bhp/13.6kgm,

85bhp/20.4kgm

Kerb weight: NA

L/W/H: NA

Expected: September 2012

Price: Rs 7-9 lakh

New Volkswagen Touareg

There is an understated elegance to the Touareg that Volkswagen hopes Indian buyers will appreciate. The sober cousin of the Porsche Cayenne, the Touareg will be launched at the Auto Expo 2012 and prices are likely to start at Rs 55 lakh. You can identify the Touareg as a VW from a mile away and the styling on the whole is quite handsome. There is an abundance of space inside and quality should conform to VW’s global standards. India is likely to receive a 3-litre diesel engine. Additionally, VW could bring a 3-litre petrol-electric hybrid to promote its green credentials. Question is, will you pay so much for a VW? 

 

Factfile:

Engines: 3-litre diesel V6, 

3-litre petrol hybrid

Power/Torque: 205bhp/40.8kgm,

380bhp (including 46bhp electric)/59.1kgm

Kerb weight: 2297-2315kg

L/W/H: 4795/1940/1709mm

Expected: January 2012

Price: Rs 55 lakh

New Volkswagen Beetle

The latest Beetle has grown up, both in appearance and size. It retains many elements of the previous model and continues to look like an iteration of the original design classic. The interiors lose the flower vase now but the upward-opening glovebox does add a hint of vintage Beetle to the new dashboard. There is more space than before too. India should get the 158bhp, 1.4-litre petrol engine and VW could import the Beetle with the 138bhp, 2-litre diesel too. 

The Beetle is more a designer accessory than a rival to conventional hatchbacks, so expect heavyweight pricing for this small car when it’s launched in late 2012.    

Factfile:

Engines: 1.4-litre turbo-petrol, 2-litre diesel

Power/Torque: 158bhp/24.5kgm,

138bhp/32.6kgm

Kerb weight: 1360kg

L/W/H: 4278/2021/2048

Expected: Late-2012

Price: Rs 25 lakh

Toyota Innova face-lift

Toyota’s third launch at Auto Expo 2012 will be the face-lifted Innova. The MPV gets a substantially redesigned front with a more upright grille that comes flanked by new headlights that now stretch over the fenders. Heavily modified bumpers, a new rear numberplate section and re-profiled tail-lamps are other elements of the revamp. Only minimal changes can be expected on the interiors which could include the addition of a new audio system and different upholstery. The changes are largely intended to make the Innova more attractive to private car buyers. Much of the Innova’s success so far can be attributed to its popularity in the tour and taxi market. A small upward price revision is likely to accompany this new launch.

Factfile:

Engines: 2-litre petrol, 2.5-litre diesel

Power/Torque: 136bhp/18.6kgm, 102bhp/20.4kgm

Kerb weight: 1520-1590kg

L/W/H: 4580/1770/1755mm

Expected: January 2012

Price: Rs 10-15 lakh

Toyota Fortuner face-lift

Big, macho and reliable, the Fortuner has been a runaway success right from day one. Cosmetic updates coming soon will ensure the Fortuner maintains this popularity. Going by changes to the Thai model, the SUV’s chrome front grille will grow in width and the headlights will be new too. A restyled front bumper and larger air-intake scoop on the bonnet add to the new Fortuner’s mini-Land Cruiser looks. Clear-lens tail-lamps will be the only changes to the Fortuner’s rear while the interiors will receive darker faux wood detailing. The trusty 3-litre D-4D diesel will continue but there is a possibility of an automatic transmission being added to the Fortuner line-up. We’ll know soon enough as the updated Fortuner will be launched at the Auto Expo in January 2012.

Factfile:

Engine: 3-litre diesel

Power/Torque: 168bhp/35kgm

Kerb weight: 1955kg

L/W/H: 4695/1840/1850mm

Expected: January 2012

Price: Rs 22 lakh

New Toyota Camry

Toyota has played it safe with the Camry’s styling for far too long. However, the 2012 Camry to be launched at the Auto Expo is bolder than ever before. The lines have a hint of Lexus to them and the interiors look more luxurious too. Toyota also claims there’s more space inside. We expect Toyota to replace the current 2.4-litre VVT-i engine with the newer 2.5-litre VVT-i motor. Power output increases by a mere 2bhp to 167bhp though refinement levels should improve further. In addition, the new engine could come mated to new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The big news is that Toyota plans to assemble the Camry from CKD kits at its Bidadi plant which translates to more competitive pricing. The Camry clearly has the Honda Accord in its crosshairs. The lack of a diesel engine will remain the Camry’s Achilles’ heel, though.

Factfile:

Engine: 2.5-litre-petrol

Power/Torque: 167bhp/23kgm

Kerb weight: NA

L/W/H:  NA

Expected: January 2012

Price: Rs 20 lakh

Tata Safari Storme

t may be long in the tooth now but Tata Motors hasn’t given up on the Safari just yet. The big Tata is to receive a major update in early 2012. Styling changes are focused largely on the front and include striking new L-shaped headlights and a more pronounced front bumper. Interior quality should be similar to the more expensive Tata Aria and equipment levels could be enhanced as well. The biggest change though will be under the skin with the new Safari set to adopt Tata’s new X2 platform that debuted on the Aria. Shortened to the Safari’s 2650mm wheelbase, the X2 will change the way the Safari drives and ride, handling and noise insulation should see a marked improvement. The 140bhp 2.2 DiCOR diesel engine will power the new model but will be substantially worked on to improve refinement. Expect the updated Safari to bear a price tag of around Rs 11 lakh.

Factfile:

Engine: 2.2-litre diesel

Power/Torque: 140bhp/32.6kgm

Kerb weight: NA

L/W/H: NA

Expected: Early 2012

Price: Rs 11 lakh