CAR WAR IN 2017
A car today is not just a matter of convenience or status symbol but also a style statement. A person’s car defines his taste and character. People, especially the youth of today are choosy and passionate about the vehicles they drive and own. And with a flurry of new cars flooding the market every year, the buyer is spoilt for choice. Aggressive selling tricks by dealers and easy financing options from banks have made the car dream a reality for the middle class. People wait in anticipation every month for some new entry in the automobile sector and advance bookings keep on breaking records. Some launches make big noise, many others become sleeper-hits while some die in oblivion. Yet the buzz is always rife. Speculations are always high. And the hip and young are always hooked to the latest updates. Here are some of the most anticipated cars lined up for launch in 2017.
1. Volkswagen Tiguan:
Bookings for this Volkswagen heavyweight has already started in India with a token amount of Rs 1 lakh. Stacked against the bestsellers like Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour the 2.0-litre, 177 bhp SUV will come in two trims—Highline and Comfortline. Initially it is supposed to be a five-seater which could have a seven-seat layout version too sometime in future. The production of this German beauty has already started in its Aurangabad plant, and is likely to be in the market by next month. It will be available with a 7-speed DSG gearbox in both 2WD and AWD drivetrains.
Price: Rs 25 to 30 lakh
2. Tata Nexon:
Tata’s new offering is likely to see the light of day by Diwali this year. The compact 5-seat SUV, a first from the Tatas, will take on the likes of Ford Ecosport and Mahindra TUV500. The sub-4 mtr car will be having an all new 1.5 lt turbocharged diesel engine mated to six gears and the petrol variant will be the tired and tested 1.2 lt revetron turbocharged engine, both producing around 90 horses. The car will have a ground clearance of 200 mm.
Price: Rs 6 to 10 lakh
3. Renault Kaptur:
After the thumping success of its Duster and Kwid models in the Indian market, Renault is ready to come up with its Kaptur SUV by the year-end. The compact SUV will feature a 1.6 lt petrol engine with 103 bhp on tap and a 1.5 lt diesel mill producing 108 horses. It has 203 mm ground clearance and an expected mileage of 15-19 km to a litre.
Price: Rs 12 to 15 lakh
4. Jeep Compass:
One of the most anticipated vehicles of 2017, the iconic Jeep Compass is ready to be launched in India anytime soon. The SUV will be offered with a 2.0 ltr Multijet diesel engine producing 170 bhp and about 350Nm peak torque. It is also likely to have a petrol option of 1.4ltr engine putting out 160 hp. Claimed mileage is in the range of 17-18 km/l.
Price: Rs 18 to 20 lakh
5. Chevy Essentia:
General Motors is readying the Chevrolet Essentia for the Indian market to lend it a much-needed lease of life. Its earlier sedan offering Sail did not do well despite being a good car and with a more aggressive styling based on the best-selling Beat platform, the company is trying to recapture some lost ground. Essentia is expected to have a 1.2-lt petrol workhorse and a 1.0-lt diesel variant. It has spacious and premium interiors and will compete against the popular Tata Tiago sedan. Mileage will be in the range of 18-20 km/lt for the petrol version and 22-25 km/l for the diesel one. It can be launched by August-end.
Price: 5 to 7 lakh
click next for more options:-
- - Advertisement - -
