BackAuto Expo 2016: Stand-out set of wheels
India's largest automobile exhibition ended on Tuesday in Greater Noida. It was a fun time for petrol-heads (or hybrid-heads, the way things are these days) and car enthusiasts. We pick the top wheels from the show
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VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
VW is set to bring its luxury sedan, the Passat, back to the Indian market. The Passat GTE is a plug-in hybrid, with a specially tuned version of the turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine working in conjunction with an electric motor, mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The combined power output is 215 bhp. The Passat GTE gets four different driving modes, with the car achieving a 0-100 kmph time of 7.5 seconds in the performance-based GTE mode. The official combined fuel efficiency of the car is 70km per litre. The Passat GTE will be priced at around ₹ 45 lakh.
MERCEDES-BENZ GLC
The GLC is the SUV embodiment of the C-class sedan and slots between the GLA and the GLE in Mercedes’ line-up of SUVs. While it gets all the bells and whistles of the C-class, it is more spacious than the sedan. Under the hood, it gets a 2.1-litre diesel engine variant, a 168 bhp 220d version, and a more powerful 201 bhp 250d variant, with a 9-speed automatic. The GLC will go up against the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5. The price details have not been made public.
TOYOTA INNOVA
The MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) king debuted in its all-new, second-generation avatar, rechristened the Innova Chrysta. It has received a thorough restyling and is now bigger, more luxurious, and better equipped. It also gets a new set of stronger 2.4- and 2.8-litre diesel engines, the latter getting a 6-speed automatic gearbox-equipped variant. The car is slated for launch in the second quarter of 2016, and will slot above the current Innova as a premium-priced offering. The price details have not been made public.
JAGUAR XE
Jaguar has launched its entry-level luxury sedan. The XE employs aluminium monocoque construction. It will get dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch Jaguar InControl Touch Infotainment system, cruise control, power-adjustable front seats, a torque-vectoring-by-braking system and All Surface Progress Control traction control system as standard. It will be launched with a petrol engine available in two variants—197 bhp and 237 bhp, with an 8-speed ZF auto gearbox. The price will start from ₹ 39.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI
While India got a taste of a proper hot-hatchback with the Punto Abarth last year, Volkswagen is all set to turn on the heat in the segment with its 189 bhp Polo GTI. At the outset, it isn’t very different from the Polo that’s currently on sale. It sits squatter, gets bigger wheels and now has two doors less. But upon its launch in September, it will be the fastest hatchback in the country. However, the performance will come at a price north of ₹ 20 lakh, with the more powerful Polo being a full import. That said, Volkswagen may assemble a five-door version of the car in India at a later stage— that will make the GTI more affordable.
TATA NEXON
Tata’s compact SUV, the Nexon, was unveiled at the expo. Built on the same platform that underpins the Bolt and the Zest, the Nexon can be described as a crossover. Tata’s new Impact design language is evident in the bold front grille, swept-back headlamps, sloping roofline and dual-tone colours. It gets projector headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels and Harman-Kardon’s 6.5-inch ConnectNext infotainment system. There will be two engine options—a 1.5-litre diesel and a turbocharged 1.2-litre Revotron petrol. It is likely to be launched in the second half of 2016. The price details have not been made public.
AUDI A4
Though familiar in its look to the outgoing one, the new A4 is more luxurious, lighter, powerful and feature-loaded. It will feature two engine options—a 1.8-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel, with power outputs of 170 bhp and 177 bhp, respectively. The car will sit on 16-inch wheels, with 17-inch ones as optional, and will feature LED lamps as well as ESP (electronic stability protection) with electronic slip differential for better stability while driving and cornering at high speeds. The price details have not been made public.
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