Upcoming models in 2009
The much hyped global recession has not disturbed the car market as more launches are in the offing this festival mood. Almost many top range cars are in the race and to soothe the customers and car lovers- Toyota Fortruner, Maruti Suzuki Estillo are the forerunners. Fortuner costs Rs22 lakh and has got very good response on roads and the small car segment is receiving Estillo(K-engine series) in the lines of A-Star and Ritz, with arms stretched.
* Feeling encouraged with the feedback for its cars, Maruti has initialized K-series engine models especially Swift, which will see replacement of 1.2 with 1.3 lit Esteem derived motor. Swift blesses the buyers with less excise duty, it is expected.
* There will be a tussle between Ford Endeavor and Toyota Fortuner with Ford shaping an edge over the latter with sheet metal and glass. To counter the Fortuner, Ford will launch the new endevaour automatic.
* Honda to contribute with its Jazz and a refined Civic
* General Motors India will stake its claims with its Chevrolet Cruze a mediocre model between Optra and Skoda Octavia, and will feature 2.0 lit diesel engine and a petrol motor later. The post festival season will see the all-new Beat from GM and the premium Chevrolet Spark in a pricing bid with Nano customers.
* Tata will have its say with a good looking sedan the Indigo Vista with Fiat derived diesel and petrol engines, as a more powerful version of the Fiat Linea with turbo-petrol option, in both diesel and petrol variants.
* W212 Mercedes-Benz E-class(@RS45lakhs to Rs50 lakhs) to glitter with a petrol engine (E350) and a diesel later.
* The range from BMW will be Z4 convertible to CBU.
* The much awaited sensation for this festival is Volkswagen’s Beetle, a CBU unit, at Rs12.15 lakh, in a jealous bid to New Polo and Skoda Fabia.
* Volkswagen will also launch the Yeti a mini SUV at Rs15-20 lakhs.