If it is the compact car segment that is gleaming its way through the 11th Auto Expo, it is the SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) and MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles) that are painting the town red with their flair. With a slew of launches from the Industry honchos, the race for the utility vehicles segment is expected to get hotter in the years to come K-EXPO FRANCE.
A host of vehicles in the sports utility segment are expected to be seen on the Indian roads including Audi Q3, Range Rover Evoque apart from the affordable small utility vehicles like Renault Duster, Mahindra XUV 500, mini Xylo, Safari Storm, Ford EcoSport, Force Motors One,Volkswagen Touareg and Toyota Front Runner. For Renault, Duster is the first car in the SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) segment and has received favourable responses from the media and the audiences alike. Not one to be left behind is the famed GM Chevrolet which has launched its updated Captiva. The stylish SUV has a superior 2.2-litre diesel unit which generates 184bhp, about 20bhp higher than the current unit.
Maruti’s first Multi Utility Vehicle (MPV), Ertiga is expected to be the most awaited MPVs on road this year. With a belligerent pricing at around 5.7 lakhs for the petrol and 8 lakhs for diesel, the sleek automobile is grabbing the headlines with its all-embracing features. Although sharing its look with its cousin Ritz, the seven-seater looks well balanced in terms of style and power. Toyota’s Innova, which has already tasted success on the Indian shores, gets a facelift with innovative features to enhance the finest appeal. The new Innova will be devoid of the almond lights and duly replaced by rectangular shaped headlights. It would not be wrong to mention that the new Innova derives much of its inspirational looks from the Camry. Also on the lines of the facelift is Chevrolet’s Tavera, Neo 3 with new powerful TCDi engine apart from the range of other exciting features. Japanese Auto Manufacturer Nissan has unveiled a new 7 seater Evalia which is supposed to be manufactured in partnership with Ashok Leyland. Also on the cards is eight-seater concept car Hyundai Hexa Space HND-7.
With majority of the foreign players slashing prices this year, it’s the Indian Manufacturers who will face some serious contest against the hyped European car makers. As for the consumers, it’s the smile and satisfaction that they carry with the array of products to choose from.
