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New Small Cars to launch in India in 2012

The driving factor in the Indian auto industry has been always the hatchback cars. May it be any circumstances, but this segment has never witnessed a kind of stagnancy which other segments have seen in recent times. In fact, sighting the flourishing segment of hatchbacks or small cars in the country it appears that the carmakers have drafted an unrevealed strategy and that is to have one small or hatchback car in their listing of vehicles. With this approach the automobile manufacturers are fundamentally pursuing a simple marketing tactic of making a larger brand available in smaller packet in order to attract the customer.

The auto division; which carries more than 70 percent (and growing) of the total car sales on its shoulders month on month and year on year, is sure to prosper more in India in coming years. Now let’s have a quick glimpse at new string of hatchback or small cars that the carmakers have planned to launch for the car buyers in the year 2012.

Renault Sandero

Expected Launch: Mid 2012

Price: INR 4 to 6 Lakhs

The Renault Sandero is here to make the hatchback segment more competitive. The car is a slightly bigger hatch similar to that of Ford Figo, Honda Jazz and Hyundai i20; which it also sees as rivals in its segment, with recently Renault Pulse by now taking care of smaller segment. Renault Sandero will be offered in various displacements of petrol run engine like 1.2L, 1.4L, and 1.6L along with French carmaker’s diesel 1.5 dCi power-trains. The price of INR 4-6 Lakhs seems very aggressive, as the car will be placed on sedan Logan; which was built in assistance with Mahindra & Mahindra, with a projected launch in middle of next year.

Skoda Fabia Scout

Expected Launch: Mid 2012

Price: INR 6 to 7 Lakhs

Volkswagen’s Czech based subsidiary; Skoda, has come out with its Scout which is in fact an upgraded variant of Fabia; the first hatch in the country from Skoda stable which failed to meet the expectations.

Now the revamped version looks sportier in terms of styling and suspension is now elevated to ensure maximum ground clearance. The car is expected to wear the same engine which currently powers Fabia; the tested 1.2L petrol engine and 1.6L diesel engine. The future of Fabia in India will depend a lot on how the Fabia Scout performs this time. Near about same price is projected for 2012 Fabia Scout that will be released in amid next year.

Chevrolet Spark 800 cc

Expected Launch: Mid 2012

Price: INR 2.5 to 3 Lakhs

Now a new hustle has arrived towards the auto industry with 800cc engine. After Hyundai Eon and Maruti Alto, it’s time for Chevy to rise with a mini 800cc engine in the form of Spark. The Chevrolet Spark with 0.8L engine was long awaited even before Eon was launched. Now the rollout is sure in the middle of 2012 with a mini price tag of Rs 2.5 to 3 Lakhs. An all new compact segment seems to open up with Spark 800. And certainly after its launch more car makers are ought to follow suit.

Volkswagen Up

Expected Launch: Early 2012

Price: INR 4 to 5 Lakhs

Following the triumph of Volkswagen Polo in India the company now plans to unveil Volkswagen Up as the subsequent car its hatchback lineup. The car may feature a 1.0L TSI petrol engine that can produce peak power and torque of 65 bhp and 140 Nm respectively. With its price bracket of Rs 4 to 5 Lakhs it will be an entry level car in the Volkswagen stable. The car is planned to meet the expectation of Indian car buyer with better fuel economy, affordable price, and good ride quality along with stylish looks.

Ford Fiesta Hatchback

Expected Launch: Amid 2012

Price: INR 6 to 7 Lakhs

Overwhelmed by response the company gathered with the launch of all-new Fiesta it now considers the right time to launch the hatchback version of its sedan. Very less people know that the all-new Fiesta was actually the Fiesta Hatchback that runs on the European roads, and for India it was stretched to a full sized sedan. The Ford will be launching the same European hatchback as it is at a price tag of Rs 6-7 Lakhs. The outstanding elements of sedan are not hidden from anyone and the same are packed in the hatchback; which will take the driving dynamics to a new level as far as a hatchback is concerned.

BMW Mini Cooper

Expected Launch: Amid 2012

Price: INR 15 to 40 Lakhs

A vehicle that caters you with irresistible interiors, classic looks along with performance and handling that one has never experienced. BMW is coming to India with its MINI marquee’s range of vehicles with MINI One, Cooper, diesel run Cooper D along with and Countryman. The retro modern iconic hatchback car will compete with the Volkswagen Beetle in the country. BMW has already established a manufacturing plant in Chennai. This little fantasy is about to get unwrapped in India by mid of next year, with retail price that ranges from Rs 15 Lakhs to 40 Lakhs.

Renault Clio

Expected Launch: Amid 2012

Price: INR 4.5 to 5 Lakhs

Renault Clio is new age hatchback which is supposed to make life uneasy for rivals Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Etios Liva, Nissan Micra along with supreme Maruti Swift. The car could be powered by an 1149cc 16 valve engine with maximum power output of 101PS. The unique features of the car include European standards in terms of safety along with a four-star grade by the Euro NCAP crash-test criteria. The Renault Clio will also be made available in LPG variants. It is also expected to arrive in India with a five-door and three-door option; which can be termed as revolutionary in the nation’s auto market.

Nissan Leaf

Expected Launch: Amid 2012

Price: INR 4.5 to 5 Lakhs

Nissan Leaf features one-of-its-kind styling in the exteriors and interiors. The company has named it as ‘Leaf’ as it’s an environment friendly electric vehicle; which will be a healthy substitute for petrol cars in the country. A perception lies that the electric powered cars lack in terms of acceleration, this will break all the shackles as it be scaring-ly fast up to 140 km per hour. In a single charge; that takes only 30 minutes, Nissan Leaf can travel up to 150 kilometers. It expects amid 2012 unveiling with a premium price that ranges between 16-17 Lakhs.

Mercedes-Benz B Class

Expected Launch: Late 2012

Price: INR 20 to 24 Lakhs

The luxury auto giant Mercedes Benz will arrive in the country with its new breed of B class car model. The car; which cannot be kept in the category of hatchback or Multi-purpose utility vehicle, can be termed as a stretched hatchback from the German carmaker.

With its unique pricing at Rs 20-24 Lakhs it will play a role of entry level car in India for Mercedes. An engine displacement of 1.6L petrol or a 1.8L diesel engine is supposed to power the B Class vehicle, along with seven speed twin-clutch gearbox. The contender will be the compact SUV BMW X1. It is projected to come by the end of next year.

New Maruti compact 800

Expected Launch: Early 2012

Price: INR 2 to 2.5 Lakhs

Maruti Suzuki seems to be in a hurry with the launch of its New Maruti compact 800, can be sensed as the fame of Hyundai Eon and upcoming Chevy Spark 800cc are proving to be a nightmare for the firm in India. The car; which actually put India on wheels with its launch in back in 1983, will again be seen serving the people of India in a revamped version. The mini car will sport the same trusted 800cc Alto platform that brings more space in the interiors. The car will feature simple looks in the exteriors, may play around with the headlamps. The price tag for this vehicle is as usual affordable with around Rs 2 or 2.5 Lakhs.

New Fiat Punto

Expected Launch: Mid 2012

Price: INR 4.5 to 6.9 Lakhs

The Italian beauty which didn’t get its share of fame in the Indian auto market will be again in the battlefield with its revived model 2012 New Fiat Punto. The present Fiat Punto is already sleek and subtle overall, but still it will have its exterior redesigned, to distinguish between the current. The headlamps and front grille will be reframed along with the rear sporting new and bigger tail-lights. The same engine that serves existing car will support New Fiat Punto.

Mahindra Reva NXR

Expected Launch: Mid 2012

Price: INR 4 to 5 Lakhs

Since Mahindra has signaled the launch of its electric vehicle Reva NXR next year mid, there has been a sigh of relief among the car buyers; who are truly frustrated with the rise of fuel prices. The full-fledged vehicle with a capacity to seat four adults can catch up a top speed of 104 km per hour together with a mileage of 160 km per charge. The promising car will be electrically powered by a lead-acid or lithium-ion battery. The car is expected offer modern interiors, amazing exteriors along with adequate safety features. With a price tag of Rs 4 to 5 Lakhs this car is bound to be the best selling electric hatchback for the country.

Tata Nano Diesel

Expected Launch: Early 2012

Price: INR 1.5 to 2 Lakhs

The most affordable small car of the nation by Tata Motors Nano will now be offered in diesel version as well with the same kept to launch in the start of next year. In the recently concluded festive season it made a 30% growth that reflects the potential it still has in small car segment of the market. It is expected that it may offer an 800cc diesel engine; by Bosch diesel systems, in order to boost its performance, apart from the regular 624cc petrol engine that powers the existing Nano car. If it is priced at Rs 2 Lakhs also, it will still be the least priced diesel powered car in the country that will be fuel efficient too.

Skoda Citigo

Expected Launch: Early 2012

Price: INR 3.5 to 4.5 Lakhs

Skoda Citigo is termed as the most inexpensive car from a premium stable of the Czech manufacturer; which ranges from Rs 3.5 to 4.5 Lakhs. Initially a two-door concept for the American and European market, but will be restructured to a four-door for Indian market. It will be wider and longer as compared to market leader small car Maruti Alto. The car will definitely offer good mileage as it has an upper hand of its parent company Volkswagen Group which has Polo hatch that offers decent fuel economy. The Citigo which will be launched in November in Czech Republic auto market is expected to see Indian shores by early 2012.