Coming soon to India! Low-priced, shorter cars!

After witnessing a plethora of car launches in 2011, the Indian automobile industry is set to welcome some new models, reworked versions and new variants in the New Year.

Apart from these, automakers are working meticulously to roll out the chopped-off version of their popular models, to make the most of the meagre excise duty levied on the sub-four meter cars.

As per the government's rule, four-wheelers which fall under sub-four meter category -- sporting petrol engines not exceeding cubic capacity of 1.2 litres, and diesel engines not exceeding cubic capacity of 1.5 litres -- attract only 10 per cent excise duty as against a whopping 22 per cent on longer cars.

Year 2012 will witness launch of such 'compact' cars, or rather sedans, and even some SUVs (sports utility vehicles) will feel the axe on them.

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Maruti Dzire 

While talking about cars in India, it is inevitable to skip Maruti's name and specially its flagship model Swift. No, we are not talking about the Swift hatchback, but the Swift sedan, Dzire, which is all set to get shorter and cheaper.

It is definitely one of the most anticipated CS (compact sedans) models, but auto pundits in India have a different take on the car.

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Dzire's CS version is likely to have a dowdy boot, but the interiors are expected to be roomier than the new Swift hatch launched in 2011.

What could get Dzire in a total win-win situation is its price, which is likely to be around Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 more than the new Swift hatchback.

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Honda Brio CS on the anvil

Honda introduced its modish A segment hatch, Brio, in the domestic market this year and the Japanese auto giant is believed to be in the process of bringing in the CS variant of the Brio.

However, the auto major has not yet made any commitment on the launch date of the CS version.

However, it is expected that the car will be unmasked by 2013.

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The CS version is expected to have spacious interiors and is also likely to don some new features.

Brio's CS variant is expected to house the same 1.2 litre petrol engine that also powers Jazz, though it will generate a tad less power.

Honda could launch Brio CS in a diesel guise too.

As far as the price is concerned, the Brio CS could come with a price tag starting from Rs 550,000.

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Manza CS version soon

Next on the list is our very own Tata Motors, the flag bearers of compact sedans.

Tata's Indigo CS fame seems to be fading away, as the company now plans to launch the CS version of Manza.

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Car aficionados suggest that the Manza CS will not inherit the same interior features adorned by its elder sibling Indigo CS, and that it will apparently have a bigger boot than Indigo.

Tata Manza CS might be priced a tad higher than Indigo CS, around Rs 30,000 more than Indigo CS.

The car could break cover by next year.

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Verito CS

Another home grown car honcho, Mahindra and Mahindra, seems to be stepping into the CS arena by trimming its revamped Verito sedan.

Earlier known as Mahindra Renault Logan, M&M relaunched the sedan as Verito after the Mahindra-Renault divorce.

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Mahindra had been testing the car rigorously; the car would fill the slot for a hatchback which is currently absent from the Mahindra portfolio in India.

Now comes the pricing part. Verito's trimmed version could be Rs 25,000 less than the full-sized Verito. The car will make its debut in 2012.

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Volkswagen Bulli

Volkswagen, which plans to grab the top spot as the world's number one auto major, has something new up its sleeve.

Volkswagen will be building a new car based on the MQB platform: the vehicle will be christened Bulli.

This 6-seater wagon will be a people mover. In order to have a spacious cabin the seat design would be on the flatter side.

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Volkswagen ponders to shift gears by moving all its models to the MQB platform, beginning with its popular hatchback Polo.

Bulli will apparently be assembled locally, bringing its cost to a meagre Rs 5 lakh (Rs 500,000).

The new wagon is likely to come in by 2014. Though that is a long time away, considering the viability and price of the wagon it is worth the wait.

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Ambassador CS

Hindustan Motors' Ambassador is likely to shed its old look and don a fresh one.

Ambassador CS has been under a lens for quite some time now. The makeover is being given to change the medieval design to boost the sinking sales of the sedan.

Ambassador CS will come in both petrol and diesel avatars.

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The petrol variant will come fitted with a 1.2 litre engine, while the diesel variant will be powered with a 1.5 litre engine.

Ambassador CS could come with a price tag of Rs 500,000; the sedan is slated to be launched in 2012.

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Mahindra Xylo Mini

Now comes the turn of the most-awaited car from the Mahindra stable, Mahindra Xylo Mini.

Mahindra & Mahindra will cut the rear end of Mini MPV short to take advantage of the excise benefits on offer.

This 5-seater MPV is expected to further fuel sales of M&M. The Mini MPV will apparently come in diesel guise only with a 1.5 litre diesel engine powering it.

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Mahindra Xylo Mini is expected to be priced a notch lower than its elder sibling at Rs 6 lakh (Rs 600,000).

At this pricing the Mini MPV will definitely give its contemporaries a run for their money.

The MPV is expected to be launched in April 2012.

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Mahindra S101

After receiving unparalleled response for its new flagship SUV XUV 500, Mahindra now eyes a breakthrough in the compact SUV segment with its new compact SUV, code-named S101.

Mahindra is indubitably the undisputed king of SUVs in India.

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With its new compact SUV in the making, the auto major plans to further strengthen its grip in the domestic market.

The SUV will come with a 1.2 litre petrol engine, producing maximum power of 70 to 75 Bhp. This is the same engine which will power the Verito CS.

The compact SUV is expected to hit the roads by 2013.

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Ford EcoSport

With every auto company vying to roll out sub-four meter cars, American auto giant Ford too will be trying its hand at it.

Ford will globally unveil its compact SUV, EcoSport, at the upcoming Auto Expo 2012 in Delhi.

EcoSport is expected to come in two trims: EcoSport Petrol and EcoSport Diesel.

The petrol variant will be equipped with a 1.0 litre petrol engine, while the diesel variant will house a 1.5 litre Duratorq diesel engine.

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In the beginning of 2011, Ford asserted its plans to launch eight new cars in India in the coming years.

In July, the company launched revamped Fiesta, but due its high price, the car could not taste the success Ford had envisaged.

Ford is expected to place the EcoSport smartly, with its price ranging from Rs 7-9 lakh (Rs 700,000-900,000).

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That was a roundup of the compact sedans and SUVs coming to India in the coming years.

With an ample number of compact cars coming to India, customers will have a substantial choice to pick from.

What makes matters even more interesting is the expected low price of these cars. This is surely going to lure buyers to the showroom.