Content
Many manufacturers are all set to launch new sedans for the Indian market. Some might just launch it at the 2016 Auto Expo, while some will use the biennial event as a platform to unveil their cars for the Indian market and launch them later. here is a list of cars you should check out at the different pavilions at the show.
Volkswagen Ameo
The Ameo will mark Volkswagen's entry into the highly competitive compact sedan segment of cars in our country. The German carmaker has specifically designed the car for the Indian car market and developed it at the company's manufacturing facility in Chakan, Maharashtra. VW's first sub-four metre compact vehicle comes with the highest percentage of localisation compared to any other Volkswagen car sold in India. It will be a slightly smaller car than the Vento and will have a big price advantage compared to the full-sized sedan.
Jaguar XE
The Jaguar XE will be launched at the Auto Expo for the Indian market as the British automaker’s answer to the Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series. Though it is expected to have a limited run of CBU models initially, the company will start local assembly of the sedan. The XE was globally unveiled in 2014 and is underpinned by an all-new aluminium architecture and a new engine family called Ingenium which comprises both petrol and diesel engines. Cosmetically, the XE is in line with its elder siblings and sits in below the XJ and XF sedans.
BMW 7 Series
BMW's new 7 Series was first unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany and will also be brought to the 2016 Auto Expo. The German automaker is following ‘The future of Luxury’ theme and will unveil the latest version under this scheme. This is the sixth generation of the BMW’s flagship sedan that boasts of a whole host of technologies that we can also expect to see in smaller BMWs in the future. We can also expect the M Sport and Prestige packages to be offered when the car is launched. It rivals the Jaguar XJ L, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Audi A8 L.
Corolla hybrid
Toyota India plans to promote its hybrid vehicles at the upcoming auto expo and will have a separate zone to display a range of hybrid vehicles. This is where they will be showcasing the Corolla Altis Hybrid for the first time in India. In comparison to the current Corolla Altis sold in India, the Corolla Hybrid boasts of a more striking design and is powered by the brand's Toyota Hybrid System II. This uses a 73bhp 1.5-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol mill paired to a 60bhp electric motor.
Volkswagen Passat GTE
Volkswagen is bringing the Passat GTE plug-in hybrid to the Auto Expo. This sedan is powered by a 154bhp 1.4-litre TSI mill that comes mated to an electric motor taking up the power output to above 200bhp. It will act as a preview to the new Passat in India that was recently refreshed with a new horizontally themed design language globally and is expected to be launched in our country soon.
Honda Accord
The 2016 Auto Expo will also mark the comeback of the Honda Accord sedan to the Indian market. The latest version is expected to be offered in India only in petrol and hybrid powertrain options and might be brought through the CBU route. Despite being expensive than the previous version that was sold in our country, thankfully the new hybrid one will benefit from the FAME scheme for hybrid and electric vehicles.
Tata Compact sedan
Tata's upcoming compact sedan based on the Zica hatchback will also be on display at the Auto Expo. It is rumoured to be called the Sway and looks similar to the Zica hatchback. Yes, the add-on boot will make it look different from the hatchback, but the compact sedan will carry over the features from its yet-to-be-launched Zica sibling. It might undercut the rivals in the compact sedan segment with an aggressive pricing.
Linea by Abarth
Last but not the least will be the Abarth Linea, which will be a step ahead of its sedan rivals in terms of performance. The new sedan will be based on the Fiat Linea but will be powered by a powerful engine tuned in similar tune like Avventura - Powered By Abarth. The power output figures are expected to be 140bhp@5,500 rpm and 210 Nm of torque in between 2,000-4,000rpm. Cosmetically, it will be in line with the Abarth Punto and Avventura and wont feature Fiat badging anywhere but solely prmoted under the Abarth brand.
