Autocar India’s A-Z of the 2012 Auto Expo is the next best thing to being there. Listed here are details and photographs of every significant car and bike at the show. And just so you can navigate through this maze easily, we’ve listed manufacturers in alphabetical order and provided you with links so that you can click directly through to the detailed stories.
This may be the biggest Expo yet, but we’ve covered every inch of the floor space, from compact SUVs, MPVs and hatchbacks, to performance cars, full-size SUVs and supercars – and a long list of international bikes as well. So go ahead, feast your eyes on some of the most interesting and attractive cars headed to India in the near future.
Ashok Leyland
Ashok Leyland revealed its version of Nissan’s ‘NV200’ people mover, the Stile Concept. The car gets an all-new nose, low-cost interiors and will be positioned differently from the Nissan Evalia. The Stile will be targeted at the utility end of the market. It is expected to be priced around the same range as the Xylo, but will lack features such as ABS and airbags. The Stile will be powered by the same 1.5-litre diesel engine that does duty in the Logan.
Audi
Audi showcased its Q3 compact SUV at the Auto Expo. The company will offer the Q3 with both front-wheel and four-wheel-drive options. Prices are likely to be competitive and to lower costs, Audi will assemble the Q3 at Skoda and VW’s Aurangabad facility. Apart from the Q3, Audi also showcased the A3 E-Tron as well as a lineup of regular production cars that included its range of saloons, SUVs and sports cars.
Bajaj
Bajaj Auto displayed its first low-cost, four wheeled city vehicle at the expo – although its basic platform and design means it’s more rickshaw-replacement than passenger car. The lightweight RE60 aims to set a new benchmark in areas of fuel-efficiency and emissions. It features 2+2 or 1+3 seating layout options, a 44-litre boot and a top speed of 70kph. Prices will be revealed closer to when production of the car begins in a few months.
Bosch
Bosch announced at the Auto Expo its plans to invest Rs 2,200 crore in India in 2012 and 2013. This amount, spent over a two-year period, will focus on capacity augmentation, diversification and new technology development, like low-cost versions of many high-tech systems. The investment will be funded internally and through surplus generated from its India business.
BMW
The German carmaker has launched its powerful new M5 saloon. The M5 is powered by a twin-turbo, 4.4-litre V8 that pumps out 552bhp and 64.9kgm of torque. The four-door supercar has been priced at Rs 95.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Also on display is the Mini range, including the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Countryman. The BMW-owned manufacturer will bring its four-model offering to India as CBUs.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet is all-set to kick off its Wulling-based SAIC endeavour with its MPV – known as the CN100 in China – and the Sail hatchback. Chevrolet unveiled the facelifted ‘Neo3’ Tavera and an updated Captiva as well. The Captiva gets a design upgrade and will get a new 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The Tavera gets a new bold exterior profile and will be powered by an ICML-sourced BS IV-compliant 2.0-litre CRDI engine.
Ducati
The Auto Expo saw the Indian launch of Ducati’s naked superbike, the Monster 795. What’s more is, due to the overwhelming response it received, Ducati decided to slash the price of the Monster by Rs 1 lakh and it is now available at an introductory limited-period price of Rs 5,99,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bookings have commenced but deliveries will only commence post March 2012.
Ford
Ford revealed its all-new global compact SUV concept, the EcoSport. The EcoSport cleverly combines the charm of an SUV, the frugality of small engines, cutting-edge styling and a very affordable price-tag. It will debut with a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder, direct injection ‘EcoBoost’ turbo-petrol motor. It will also get the 1.5-litre diesel engine that currently does duty in the Fiesta. Ford also has on display its existing line-up, which includes its Fiesta saloon, the Endeavour and the Figo.
Hero MotoCorp
Newly christened Hero MotoCorp unveiled its concept scooter, the Leap, at the Auto Expo. The battery- and petrol-run scooter is still in its early days and Hero MotoCorp still has to finalise production dates for the Leap. Hero also showcased its 125cc bike, the Ignitor, along with its first 110cc bike, the Passion X Pro and its 110cc automatic scooter, the masculine Maestro.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooters India
Honda came to the expo guns-a-blazing with a slew of launches. It launched its supersports CBR1000R and its Harley-challenger, the VT1300CX Fury. It also unveiled its new 110cc commuter bike, the Dream Yuga, which will hit showrooms in May 2012. The baby Fireblade, the CBR 150R, is headed for India and was displayed at the Expo alongside its big brother, the CBR 250R. Also at the Honda stall was the upgraded sporty Dio scooter.
Hyundai
Hyundai showcased its MPV concept, the Hexa Space (code-named HND-7), at the Expo. This 4.3-metre car is built on a 2750mm wheelbase and propulsion comes from a 1200cc turbocharged Kappa petrol motor. Hyundai also revealed the latest-gen Sonata executive saloon at the Expo. It is powered by a 198bhp, 2.4-litre petrol engine with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The Korean carmaker also showcased its new Elantra, which will take on the likes of the Honda Civic, Skoda Laura and Volkswagen Jetta, as well as the funky Veloster 2+2 coupe.
Jaguar Land Rover
Tata-owned JLR displayed a slew of its cars and concepts at the expo. Production cars included the face-lifted XF, the XJ and Jaguar’s most powerful production car yet, the wild 542bhp XKR-S. However, the pair of Jaguar concept cars, the C-X75 and the C-X16, was what made heads turn at the stall. Land Rover showed two DC-100 concept SUVs, one of which came with a stunning white roof that contrasted with the bright red lower half of the car, while the other had no roof at all.
Mahindra
The Auto Expo served as the launchpad for the Ssangyong brand in India. Taking centre-stand on the expansive Mahindra stand, the Ssangyong display included the soon-to-be-launched Rexton SUV, the stylish XIV-1 Concept, Actyon Sports dual-cab pick-up and a full-electric version of the Korando. Brand Mahindra had the two Reva electric cars on display, an electric Verito and of course, one of this year’s big stars, the XUV500.
Maruti
Maruti unveiled the XA Alpha compact SUV concept at the Auto Expo. A car that could be built on the new Swift platform, the Alpha looks every bit the compact SUV and with overall length at 4000mm, it is eligible for the lower rate of excise duty for small cars. Maruti will be offering the mini-SUV with its range of K-Series petrol engines and the 1.3-litre DDIS diesel engine. The eagerly anticipated Innova fighter, the Ertiga, is also on display. This seven-seater is also the launchpad for Maruti’s latest K-series petrol engine, the 1.4-litre K14.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz displayed a combination of concept, road and racing cars at the Auto Expo. Among the production models on display were the SLS AMG roadster supercar, the new, third-generation M-class and a customised S600 Pullman Guard armoured limousine. The star of the show however was the concept A-class - a hatchback that previews Merc’s forthcoming design direction for its family of MFA transverse-engined front-wheel drive cars. However, the first car off this platform to be launched in India will be the all-new B-class mini-MPV.
Nissan
Nissan unveiled the seven-seater Evalia MPV at the Auto Expo. Built on Nissan’s B-platform, this is the car we previously knew as the NV200. Powering the Evalia will be the 1.5-litre dCi turbo-diesel engine from the Sunny diesel. Production will start in the second half of 2012. Nissan is also showcasing its pioneering electric car, the Leaf and its powerful supercar the GT-R at the Auto Expo.
Piaggio
Piaggio Vehicles unveiled the a modern version of the iconic Vespa at the Expo. With its entry into the Indian market, Piaggio plans to create a premium segment for the Vespa brand, positioning it as a lifestyle product. The company might also consider introducing the Moto Guzzi 1200 Norge GT as a CBU in the coming months.
Peugeot
French carmaker Peugeot is set to re-enter the Indian car market soon and, at the Auto Expo, it gave us a look in to what to expect. The company showed its stylish 508 saloon, which will be its flagship in the Indian market. Also present at the Peugeot stall was the 3008 crossover, 3008 HYbrid4, RCZ sports coupe and its show-stopping, Le Mans-winning 908 diesel race car.
Renault
Renault unveiled the Duster midsize crossover at the Expo. It shares its platform with the Logan, so as you can imagine it’s not an all-out off-roader and will in fact be sold only with two-wheel drive in India. Renault has also launched its Micra-based hatch, the Pulse, at the Auto Expo.
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield has launched its eagerly anticipated Thunderbird 500 at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi. The company is targeting touring enthusiasts with this cruiser. The bike gets distinctive ‘black’ styling and it is powered by a 500cc Unit Construction Engine (UCE) that makes 27.2bhp. Apart from the bikes on display, the Enfield stall includes biker apparel and riding accessories as well.
Skoda
Although no new models or variants were launched, the Fabia Monte Carlo and the RS 2000 concept did garner a lot of attention. The Monte Carlo Fabia is a tribute to 100 years of the Monte Carlo rally and 110 years of Skoda in motorsport. The company’s recent success in the S2000 rally series prompted Skoda to make a celebratory concept car, the RS 2000. Also on display at the Skoda stand are the company’s new Rapid saloon and Laura RS.
Suzuki
Suzuki showcased its new Hayate bike, powered by a 112.8cc, four-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It also showcased its Swish 125 scooter, which is targeted at the youth and gets a 124cc, four-stroke, variator-driven, single-cylinder engine that makes 8.58bhp at 7000rpm.
Tata Motors
Tata unveiled its new Safari Storme at the Expo. The Storme isn’t an all-new Safari, but a thoroughly revised version of the existing one. It is powered by the 2.2-litre, 16-valve common-rail DiCOR engine on duty in other Tata cars. Tata also displayed the Manza hybrid concept, a series and parallel hybrid that uses a three-cylinder version of Tata’s 1.4-litre DiCOR engine, known as the 1.05 DiCOR. This three-cylinder engine is also expected to power the Vista at a later stage. A CNG version of the Nano is also on display. Tata is also showcasing its new range of next-gen commercial vehicles.
Toyota
Toyota has launched an array of products at this year’s Auto Expo. The list of launches includes the new Innova, new Fortuner and the new Land Cruiser 200. The new Innova gets redesigned interiors to make it more upmarket and a face-lift as well. The new face-lifted Fortuner now comes in 2WD automatic and manual variants alongside the 4x4 manual variant. Toyota also launched its Indian motorsport effort in the form of the one-make series, called ‘Etios Motor Racing’, which will launch only in 2013. It showcased the race-prepared Etios and Liva at the expo. Also on display at the stall are the new Camry, the updated Prius hybrid the rest of the company’s current range.
Triumph
The British motorcycle maker had on display the seven bikes from its stable that are making their way to the Indian market. The range starts with its iconic 865cc Bonneville. The other bikes in the range include the Street Triple and Daytona 675, powered by 675cc inline three-cylinder motors and the Speed Triple, which gets a bigger 1050cc mill. Also on display are the Daytona 675, the Tiger 800XC and two cruisers – the 1700cc Thunderbird Storm and the 2300cc Rocket III.
TVS Motor Company
The bike-maker unveiled its hybrid concept scooter, the Qube, at the Auto Expo. The scooter however is still in its developmental stages. TVS also unveiled its upcoming 125cc commuter bike, the Radeon. The bike is only slated for launch by the third quarter of 2013. TVS also displayed its indigenously developed automatic transmission technology concept. The 100cc Sport and 110cc Star City were on display with a fresh set of graphics.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen unveiled the new Touraeg SUV at the Auto Expo. Styling of the all-new 2012 version is attractive to say the least. Under the hood, the SUV is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel that develops around 240bhp. The Touraeg will go on sale in April this year. The German automaker also showcased its XL1 concept - a low-drag, teardrop-shaped two-seater that, according to the company, has a mind-blowing fuel consumption figure of 111kpl. Also on display is the new VW Beetle in its latest avatar.
Yamaha
Yamaha has lifted the lid on its first ever Indian scooter which is slated to launch later in 2012. Called the Ray for now, the name is subject to change though by the time the scooter hits showrooms. The scooter displayed at the Auto Expo is currently in its concept stage. Yamaha is also displaying a new limited edition YZF-R15 Version 2.0 variant in white and fiery red.