2018 has witnessed a slew of launches from various manufacturers. Increased demand from customers saw rapid growth in the automotive market with new cars coming in with the best in features and latest in technology.
With this increased spate in demand, India could very well become one of the leading automotive markets in the world. We bring you a list of top 10 cars launched during the year that created some stir in their segments.
Hyundai Santro – The new generation Hyundai Santro made a comeback in October. It continues to sport its tall boy design theme which it was famous for, but gets revamped exteriors and interiors and also received a host of segment first features.
Slotted below Hyundai Grand i10, the new generation Santro is offered in five variants of D-Lite, Era, Magna, Sportz and the top of the line Asta along with 7 color options. It gets 14” wheels as standard with silver wheel caps on the higher spec variant while lower variant get silver wheels with small wheel hub covers. The Santro hatchback is powered by a 1.1 liter, 4 cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine offering 69 bhp power and 99 Nm torque mated to a 5 speed manual or 5 speed AMT gearbox. Prices range from Rs 3.9 lakhs to Rs 5.7 lakhs.
Maruti Swift – The third generation Maruti Swift was showcased and launched at the 2018 Auto Expo. It came in boasting of better features, performance and fuel efficiency figures and about Rs.20,000 more expensive than its earlier counterpart.
Packed with features such as LED projector lamps, a 7” touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry and reverse parking sensors, the new Swift hatchback also got the latest in safety equipment such as ABS, EBD, brake assist, dual front airbags and ISOFIX child seat mounts. It continues to be powered by the same engine lineup that includes a, 83 PS 1.2 liter petrol and 75 bhp 1.3 liter diesel engine mated to 5 speed manual and AMT gearbox. Price ranges from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 8.8 lakhs.
Honda Amaze – The second generation Honda Amaze was showcased at the Auto Expo earlier this year with launch in May 2018. It is built on an advanced platform and gets an all new design theme, better styling and increased proportions. The Honda Amaze is presented in four variant of E, S, V, and VX.
The new Amaze sits on 15” alloy wheels, gets LED headlamps and projector lamps while interiors also get revamped with a larger 7” touchscreen infotainment system called Digipad-2. Interiors are also seen with start stop button, automatic climate controls, fold down central arm rest and rear AC vents. It gets its power via same engine lineup as seen on its earlier counterpart with the 1.2 liter –VTEC petrol engine offering 89 bhp power and the 1.5 liter i-DTEC diesel engine capable of 99 bhp power. Prices range from Rs 5.8 lakhs to Rs 9.1 lakhs.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz – Maruti Suzuki introduced the new Ciaz facelift in August 2018. Sold exclusively through NEXA dealerships, the new Ciaz gets redesigned inside and out. It is seen with LED headlamps and LED DRLs along with LED tail lamps, new bumper design and a revised front grille.
Interiors see a new instrument cluster and multi information system along with an updated infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with new upholstery on seats and door pads. Maruti Ciaz facelift is powered by a 1.5 liter petrol engine making 104 hp power and a 1.3 liter diesel engine offering 89 bhp mated to manual and automatic gearbox options. Price range from Rs 8.2 lakhs to Rs 11 lakhs.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – Maruti Suzuki Ertiga seven seater MPV gets a total of 10 variants – 4 MT petrol variants, 2 AT petrol variants and 4 MT diesel variants. It is a bit bigger than its earlier counterpart with length increased by 99mm, width increased by about 40mm and height increased by 5mm.
Its interiors sport a dual tone color scheme with maple wood finish and chrome accents enhancing its premium appeal. Its exteriors boast of a new chrome studded grille, projector headlamps and bold 3D tail lamp cluster. The new Ertiga is powered by a 1.5 liter petrol engine offering 104 PS power and a 1.3 liter diesel engine capable of 89 bhp power. The petrol engine gets mated to manual and automatic transmission options. Prices range from Rs 7.5 lakhs to Rs 11 lakhs.
Mahindra Marazzo – Mahindra Marazzo, the shark inspired MPV made its presence felt at the 2018 festive season. It is presented in 7 variants and 6 color options and challenges the Toyota Innova, Renault Lodgy and Maruti Ertiga. The 7 seater MPV measures 4,585mm in length and 1,866mm on width while wheelbase measures 2,760mm. These dimensions result in improved interior space with the Marazzo also getting some segment first features.
It gets a host of safety features among which are anti loch craning system, power windows, driver and passenger airbags and power steering along with rain sensing wipers, rear window washer and turn indicators on ORVMs. Mahindra Marazzo is powered by a new 1.5 liter diesel engine making 121 bhp power and 300 Nm torque mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox. Prices range from Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 14 lakhs.
Tata Tiago JTP – Tata Tiago JTP and the Tigor JTP were both launched in India in November 2018. Both these performance models get sporty accents in the form of blacked out headlamps, sporty bumper designs and side skirts. They also receive chrome plated exhaust tip, air intakes on the bonnet and black and red color schemes adding to its sportiness.
Tata Tiago JTP and Tigor JTP get their power via the same engine seen on the Nexon. This 1.2 liter turbocharged petrol engine offers 114 PS power and 150 Nm torque mated to a 5 speed manual. This engine allows acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph in 9.95 seconds on the Tiago JTP and in 10.35 seconds on the Tigor JTP. Price is Rs 6.4 lakhs.
Mahindra Alturas G4 – Based on the SsangYong Rexton, the Mahindra Alturas G4 is the new flagship model of the company. It is seen with a bold front grille with chrome accents, new headlamp design and a sculpted hood. It also gets wraparound tail lamps and a new set of alloy wheels. Interiors are designed in Nappa leather in a black and brown color scheme.
The dashboard gets soft touch plastics and an 8” touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration. Mahindra Alturas G4 is powered by a 2.2 liter diesel engine offering 178 bhp power and mated to a 7 speed automatic gearbox with 2WD and 4WD options. Prices range from Rs 27 lakhs to Rs 30 lakhs.
Toyota Yaris – The Toyota Yaris sedan was one of the important launches for the company in 2018. It was a highly anticipated model in India and comes in positioned on the Toyota B platform which also underpins the Yaris hatchback in developing markets.
The Yaris gets 15” wheels, wrap around tail lamps and massive bumpers while interiors see new features with 60:40 folding seats which are segment first features. The Yaris is powered by a 1.5 liter petrol engine offering 1`06 hp power and mated to a manual and CVT gearbox. Prices range from Rs 9.3 lakhs to Rs 14.2 lakhs.
