There are quite a few SUVs including a few exciting concepts being showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo. Here's what you can look forward to.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
After the initial excitement, Fiat has played it low key with the India launch of Jeep. The fact is, Fiat is having a tough time pricing the Jeeps competitively and the rising dollar has only made things tougher. Fiat will, however, display the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler at the Auto Expo although an official launch and pricing may still be some time away. The Grand Cherokee is a Mercedes-Benz M-class rival and comes with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel and Jeep's clever Selec-Terrain system that primes all the car's systems for what you are about to drive through.
Jeep Wrangler
When it launches the brand in India, Jeep will also be offering the Wrangler's legendary off-road prowess in the form of three-door and five-door versions, the former with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol and the latter with a 2.8-litre in-line diesel. Again, the problem is with getting the price right, but off-road enthusiasts (of which there is a huge, growing number in India) have something to look forward to.
Isuzu MU-7
The giant MU-7 will be on display at the Expo and Isuzu, despite the low key launch, seems to be getting its manufacturing and sales network sorted out before going mainstream. The company recently commenced assembly of the MU-7 from Thailand-sourced CKD kits at its plant in Chennai. The Isuzu MU-7, with its smooth, 3.0-litre, 161bhp engine and seven seats is a Toyota Fortuner rival.
Range Rover LWB
Jaguar-Land Rover will showcase the Range Rover Extended Wheelbase and, as the name suggests, it gets a 186mm extension to the wheelbase. There is of course, more legroom, rear seats that recline 17-degrees (as against the 8-degree lean on the standard car), 10.2-inch screens at the rear, deployable tables and the closest thing to First Class comfort on wheels. If you like the excess that the Range Rover stands for, you will love this one.
Mahindra XUV500 Hybrid
Mahindra is betting big on an electric future and its SUVs will get more hybrid tech in the future. For the Auto Expo though, it is showcasing a near production ready version of the XUV500. No, don't confuse it for its micro-hybrid start-stop systems, this will be a pukka hybrid car, like the hybrid Scorpio the carmaker showcased a few years ago.
Tata Aria facelift
The Aria is ripe for an update and that is exactly what you will see at the Expo. Now featuring a facelift in the form of smoked headlamps, daytime-running lights and lots of chrome detailing. The big news though is the GM-sourced six-speed automatic gearbox which Tata hopes to introduce by the second half of 2014.