Upcoming Cars in India
The Indian automotive industry is a densely populated space. From affordable vehicles to literally estate holding cars, we’ve had the opportunity to experience almost about everything. But the future, as always, lies ahead.
1. Mercedes-Benz EQC
₹ 1.4 - 1.5 Crore
Mercedes-Benz has also announced that they will be stepping into the EV space this year with the EQC. The Stuttgart-based carmaker will be launching the EQC in April. To be brought into India as a CBU, the EQC is expected to be priced in the Rs 1.5 crore range.
Powering the EQC is an 80kWh battery pack that works in conjunction with two electric motors to deliver 407 horses and 765Nm. The EQC gets a claimed driving range of roughly 400km in a single full charge as per the WLTP cycle. As far as performance goes, the EQC can dismiss the 0-100km/h in just 5.1 seconds, and that’s quite impressive for a 2.5-tonne electric SUV.
2. BMW 8-Serie
The legendary BMW 8-Series nameplate has been resurrected for the 21st century. It is said to combine the luxury of a four-door sedan with sports car driving dynamics and performance. With the 8-Series, BMW makes its foray into the super luxury GT market.
The car boasts of a lightweight construction, using aluminium, carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic and magnesium. It looks pretty sensational from the outside, with that larger kidney grille, flanked by what are said to be the slimmest headlamps on a BMW ever. The front bumper looks aggressive with those huge air-inlets and the long bonnet. Its smooth-flowing lines on the sides look cool, while the rear-end too gets tapered LED tail lamps. The rear bumper too looks nothing short of menacing with those two exhausts set nicely in the lower half. The double-bubble-like roof can also be had in carbon-fibre.
3. Aston Martin Zagato
₹ 3.8 Crore
Aston Martin has announced that they will introduce a brand new car the DB11 as a replacement for the outgoing decade old DB9. The DB11 will also be the first turbo charged Aston Martin ever featuring a 5.3 litre V12 from their recent ties with AMG. The DB10 was a model only meant for James bond for the movie Spectre and therefore that nameplate has been retired with only 10 units built for the production of the film. The DB11 is scheduled to be unveiled at the Geneva Motorshow in 2016 and will be available in India once production commences.
4. Audi R8 Spyder
₹ 2.5 - 2.7 Crore
Subsequent to the introduction of the new R8 last year, Audi will soon bring its drop-top version to our shores. Audi developed the new R8 Spyder with the intension of making it lighter, stiffer and faster. And although it won’t go on sale in the ‘Plus’ trim, the power of 540 horses that it packs is enough to take the speedo needle north of 100km/h from standstill in just 3.6 seconds. The beauty of the R8 Spyder though is its weight. The Spyder’s aluminium space frame weighs 208kg, which is just 8kg heavier than the Coupe version while overall the R8 Spyder weighs 1,720kg - 80kg heavier than the standard car. While the Spyder, is just a wee bit slower than the coupe, it retains all the characteristics of its R8 that it has been known for all these years. With manageable performance and the potential to be an everyday supercar, the R8 does thrill, but in absolute style.
5. BMW i8 Roadster
BMW had a huge line-up of upcoming cars on display at the Auto Expo 2018, but the showstopper was undoubtedly the new i8 Roadster. Although this was the first time that the car was showcased in India, it has made its global debut previously at the 2017 Los Angeles Motor Show.
The i8 Roadster shares a lot of features with its coupe sibling. Except for the open top, both the i8 models look essentially identical. The body has been constructed using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) to keep the weight in check. Thanks to that, the i8 Roadster is just 60kgs heavier than the coupe version. If you want to experience the wind in the hair feeling.
0 Comments