BSM Team
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.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
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 500,000 hatch in 2011, this could be it.
How much?
Rs 420,000-550,000.
When?
Feb-March 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 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.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
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 430,000-530,000.
When?
August-September 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 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.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
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 400,000-600,000.
When
May-June 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
Photographs: Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters
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.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
Photographs: Paulo Whitaker/Reuters
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 700,000-900,000.
When?
March-April 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
Photographs: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
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.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters
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 (Rs 1-1.7 million).
When
June-September 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
Photographs: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters
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.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
Photographs: Fred Prouser/Reuters
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 (Rs 1.4-1.7 million).
When?
March/April 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 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.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
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 (Rs 1.6-1.8 million).
When?
January 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 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.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
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 (Rs 1.9-2.5 million).
When?
August/September 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 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 (Rs 10-30 million).
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
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 (Rs 15-35 million).
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
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 (Rs 1.5-1.7 million).
The Korando from Ssangyong is also expected to be similarly priced and will be assembled in Chakan in Pune.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
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 (Rs 8-14 million) 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 (Rs 4.1-5.8 million).
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Why bother?
This is the maddest, meanest superbike of them all, that's why!
We'll get the 2011 version, of course, which means the Ninja will come with traction control, three riding modes and an all-new 998cc, in-line four-cylinder motor.
Oh, and a near-200 bhp power output.
The 11 ZX10R claims to be roughly 10 kg down on the outgoing one and that will make the Ninja even more of a monster than it already is.
Bajaj hasn't announced the Ninja's entry officially, but with all other Japanese bike manufacturers in the field already, we know it's got to be 2011.
How much?
Rs 12-15 lakh (Rs 1.2-1.5 million).
When?
Mid-2011.
Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
Cheaper hogs!
Why bother?
Because at Rs 550,000, the 883 Sportster SuperLow will be, from January 2011, the cheapest Harley-Davidson you can buy in India.
It's small, not your typical full-size H-D, but it is every bit the old school, basic cruiser you need for a quick Sunday ride.
For Rs 650,000 you can have the more menacing 883 Iron.
The two motorcycles are essentially the same - the SuperLow gets a larger fuel tank and beginner-friendly front-end geometry, while the Iron gets the all matte black treatment borrowed from the Night Rod.
Also coming in is an Asia-specific H-D, something in the 700-800cc range, which will be produced locally.
How much?
Rs 550,000 onwards.
When?
January 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
BMW S1000RR
Why bother?
Because this German juggernaut has blown the litre-bike class away like ninepins!
BMW decided to make a conventional in-line four and go racing with it, causing many worry lines to surface on rivals' faces.
With 193 bhp at the rider's disposal, there's nothing that can stay with this Beemer in a straight line.
And thanks to an advanced traction control system and ABS, it handles exceptionally well, too.
This propeller-badged superbike is already a cult classic.
How much?
Little Beemer birdies tell us that the S1000RR will retail at a sub-Rs 21 lakh (Rs 2.1 million) ex-showroom price tag.
When?
January - February 2011.
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Cars, bikes that you can look forward to in 2011
Aprilia RSV4 Factory
Why bother?
Because it is one of the best litre-bikes in the world today!
The RSV4's beautiful slimline body is full of exotic details and contains an unrestrained and characterful 180-bhp V4 motor and a truckload of electronic aids.
If the APRC SE version comes to India, well, that's the closest you can get to buying a true blue World Superbike Championship-winning machine.
That's exactly what Max Biaggi did this year, by the way!
How much?
Sources suggest it'll be pegged at around Rs 23-24 lakh (Rs 2.3-2.4 million).
The base version may or may not come to India.
When?
January 2011.
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