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The automobiles just get faster, snazzier, if higher priced, every year.
The scene promises to hot up further in 2011, with offerings that are
sure to get your pulse racing.
A new year means different things to different people. For some, it's an excuse to party. For others, it's time to show off their long list of resolutions, which are rarely adhered to! And then there are a handful to whom it's just another date. But we aren't addressing any of these groups here. Instead, we are here to help those looking at buying fancy new metal in 2011. And believe us, there will be plenty of these, with Ferrari planning to launch quite a few of their models here over the next few months.With the market booming and a plethora of new automobiles lined up for release this year, choosing a car that meets your needs and aspirations can get both confusing and frustrating. So, here is our pick of the eight most interesting cars to hit showrooms in 2011.
The offerings range from an Audi to a Volkswagen, with a BMW and a Land Rover thrown in.We provide you with the top specs, approximate release dates, powertrain options and tentative pricing, to give you the complete picture. Have a great automotive year.
Rolls Royce Ghost
What is it?
Given a sneak peak in late 2009, the Ghost makes its appearance in India this year. Smaller in size than the Phantom, the Ghost aims to be a luxury car that the owner would like to drive himself. It is an impressive mix of traditional design and modern tech.
What's special about it?
The Ghost looks fantastic, with an understated muscularity, and it is packed to the gills with some fantastic technology.
Main Specs
Engine: V 12; Max power: 563 bhp;
Max torque: 780Nm;
Gearbox: 8-speed automatic;
Chassis: Steel monocoque
Price: Rs 2.5 crore;
Launch date: Early 2011
Mercedes CLS
What is it?
The CLS is a lovely mix of a sedan and coupe. This was the car that set the trend of a saloon sporting a coupe roof line. It comes with a 4.7-litre V8 petrol engine and a 3-litre diesel one.
What's special about it?
The way it looks, both inside and out. It also drives well, and is comfortable both for the driver and the passenger. When standing still, it looks the part of a sporty saloon
Main specs
Engine: 3498-cc petrol;
Max power: 306 bhp;
Max torque: 370 nm;
Gearbox: 7 speed automatic;
Chassis: Monocoque; Wheelbase: 2874 mm; Kerb weight: 1800 kg
Price: Rs 85 lakh;
Launch date: Early 2011
Volkswagen Passat
What is it?
It is a new version of the car that is already on sale in India. Not only does the new generation car look better, is is also more spacious with a more powerful and efficient engine
What's special about it?
Options. There are number of engine types to choose from. The equipment list includes automatic boot, traffic light detection, dynamic headlamps which follow a curve, and a lane departure warning system
Main specs
Engine: 1968-cc diesel/1798-cc petrol;
Max power: 140 bhp/160 bhp;
Max torque: 320 nm/250 nm; Gearbox: 7 speed dsg; Chassis: Monocoque;
Wheelbase: 2712 mm; Kerb weight: 1510 kg
Price: Rs 25 lakh;
Launch date: Early 2011
Audi A8
What is it?
A luxury barge of enormous proportions that's packed with so much technology, it might just shame NASA. Indeed, with a range-topping 6.3-litre engine pumping out 500 bhp, it's almost a rocket ship in disguise. Driving it, though ,is easy
What's special about it?
The exquisite interiors. There's wood, metal and top class plastic all round. Then there's a 3D navigation screen and touch pad
Main specs
Engine: 4134-cc V8 diesel; Max power: 350 bhp@4000 rpm;
Max torque: 800 nm@1750 rpm; Gearbox: 8 speed automatic;
Chassis: Monocoque; Wheelbase: 2992 mm;
Kerb weight: 2070 kg
Price: Rs 1 crore;
Launch date: February 2011
BMW X3
What is it?
It's the BMW X1's bigger, more expensive sibling. Also like the X1, it isn't particularly good looking. But what it lacks on that front, it makes up in modern hardware. There is a petrol as well as a diesel engine to choose from. It will come into India as a CBU
What's special about it?
It's larger and more modern than the current X3. As an SUV, it will out-run most sedans around bends. It also comes with the latest, high-tech, i-Drive system that is every techie's wet dream
Main specs
Engine: 1995-cc diesel; Max power: 184 bhp; Max torque: 380 nm;
Gearbox: 8 speed automatic; Chassis: Monocoque;
Wheelbase: 2810 mm; Kerb weight: 1800 kg
Price: Rs 45 lakh;
Launch date: Mid 2011
Land Rover Evoque
What is it?
The Evoque is Land Rover's lightest and smallest SUV ever. There's no green technology involved though. It is simply an attempt by the company at being smaller and more environment-friendly. It will also be offered in a two-wheel-drive format for greater efficiency
What's special about it?
It is the most beautiful looking SUV around. Its sharp design, tapering roofline and bold front evoke strong emotions
Main specs
Engine: 2.2-litre diesel; Max power: 150 bhp; Max torque: NA
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic; Chassis: Monocoque
Price: Rs 40 lakh;
Launch date: Late 2011
Volvo S60
What is it?
Call it Volvo's saviour. So far, all the cars that have rolled out from Volvo were safe and well built, but drab looking. The S60 changes that. This automobile is packed to the gills with technology and good looks, and will go up against the Mercedes C-class, albeit at a lower price tag
What's special about it?
Its list of safety features. This car boasts such state-of-the-art technology that it can literally drive itself. It can accelerate and brake on its own and has enough airbags to keep it afloat in water when all of them are deployed
Main specs
Engine: 2500-cc diesel; Max power: 205 bhp;
Max torque: 420 NM;
Gearbox: 6 speed automatic;
Chassis: Monocoque;
Wheelbase: 2774 mm;
Kerb weight: 1850 kg
Price: Rs 25 lakh;
Launch date: Mid 2011
Mini coopers
What is it?
Originally a British tiny car, it has now morphed into a German giant. Don't be misled by the name, there's nothing small about the Mini anymore. It's in fact bigger than most hatchbacks on sale in India. It's fun to drive, is built like a tank and has a great engine
What's special about it?
The design, the unique interior trim, and the fact that it has only two doors. If you love to travel alone or just with the love of your life, it doesn't get more special or intimate than this
Main specs
Engine: 1.6-litre petrol;
Max power: 184 bhp;
Max torque: 240 nm;
Gearbox: 6 speed automatic;
Chassis: Monocoque; Wheelbase: 2030 mm;
Kerb weight: 1215 kg
Price: Rs 20 lakh;
Launch date: Late 2011
The offerings range from an Audi to a Volkswagen, with a BMW and a Land Rover thrown in.We provide you with the top specs, approximate release dates, powertrain options and tentative pricing, to give you the complete picture. Have a great automotive year.
Rolls Royce Ghost
What is it?
Given a sneak peak in late 2009, the Ghost makes its appearance in India this year. Smaller in size than the Phantom, the Ghost aims to be a luxury car that the owner would like to drive himself. It is an impressive mix of traditional design and modern tech.
What's special about it?
The Ghost looks fantastic, with an understated muscularity, and it is packed to the gills with some fantastic technology.
Main Specs
Engine: V 12; Max power: 563 bhp;
Max torque: 780Nm;
Gearbox: 8-speed automatic;
Chassis: Steel monocoque
Price: Rs 2.5 crore;
Launch date: Early 2011
What is it?
The CLS is a lovely mix of a sedan and coupe. This was the car that set the trend of a saloon sporting a coupe roof line. It comes with a 4.7-litre V8 petrol engine and a 3-litre diesel one.
What's special about it?
The way it looks, both inside and out. It also drives well, and is comfortable both for the driver and the passenger. When standing still, it looks the part of a sporty saloon
Main specs
Engine: 3498-cc petrol;
Max power: 306 bhp;
Max torque: 370 nm;
Gearbox: 7 speed automatic;
Chassis: Monocoque; Wheelbase: 2874 mm; Kerb weight: 1800 kg
Price: Rs 85 lakh;
Launch date: Early 2011
Volkswagen Passat
What is it?
It is a new version of the car that is already on sale in India. Not only does the new generation car look better, is is also more spacious with a more powerful and efficient engine
What's special about it?
Options. There are number of engine types to choose from. The equipment list includes automatic boot, traffic light detection, dynamic headlamps which follow a curve, and a lane departure warning system
Main specs
Engine: 1968-cc diesel/1798-cc petrol;
Max power: 140 bhp/160 bhp;
Max torque: 320 nm/250 nm; Gearbox: 7 speed dsg; Chassis: Monocoque;
Wheelbase: 2712 mm; Kerb weight: 1510 kg
Price: Rs 25 lakh;
Launch date: Early 2011
What is it?
A luxury barge of enormous proportions that's packed with so much technology, it might just shame NASA. Indeed, with a range-topping 6.3-litre engine pumping out 500 bhp, it's almost a rocket ship in disguise. Driving it, though ,is easy
What's special about it?
The exquisite interiors. There's wood, metal and top class plastic all round. Then there's a 3D navigation screen and touch pad
Main specs
Engine: 4134-cc V8 diesel; Max power: 350 bhp@4000 rpm;
Max torque: 800 nm@1750 rpm; Gearbox: 8 speed automatic;
Chassis: Monocoque; Wheelbase: 2992 mm;
Kerb weight: 2070 kg
Price: Rs 1 crore;
Launch date: February 2011
What is it?
It's the BMW X1's bigger, more expensive sibling. Also like the X1, it isn't particularly good looking. But what it lacks on that front, it makes up in modern hardware. There is a petrol as well as a diesel engine to choose from. It will come into India as a CBU
What's special about it?
It's larger and more modern than the current X3. As an SUV, it will out-run most sedans around bends. It also comes with the latest, high-tech, i-Drive system that is every techie's wet dream
Main specs
Engine: 1995-cc diesel; Max power: 184 bhp; Max torque: 380 nm;
Gearbox: 8 speed automatic; Chassis: Monocoque;
Wheelbase: 2810 mm; Kerb weight: 1800 kg
Price: Rs 45 lakh;
Launch date: Mid 2011
What is it?
The Evoque is Land Rover's lightest and smallest SUV ever. There's no green technology involved though. It is simply an attempt by the company at being smaller and more environment-friendly. It will also be offered in a two-wheel-drive format for greater efficiency
What's special about it?
It is the most beautiful looking SUV around. Its sharp design, tapering roofline and bold front evoke strong emotions
Main specs
Engine: 2.2-litre diesel; Max power: 150 bhp; Max torque: NA
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic; Chassis: Monocoque
Price: Rs 40 lakh;
Launch date: Late 2011
What is it?
Call it Volvo's saviour. So far, all the cars that have rolled out from Volvo were safe and well built, but drab looking. The S60 changes that. This automobile is packed to the gills with technology and good looks, and will go up against the Mercedes C-class, albeit at a lower price tag
What's special about it?
Its list of safety features. This car boasts such state-of-the-art technology that it can literally drive itself. It can accelerate and brake on its own and has enough airbags to keep it afloat in water when all of them are deployed
Main specs
Engine: 2500-cc diesel; Max power: 205 bhp;
Max torque: 420 NM;
Gearbox: 6 speed automatic;
Chassis: Monocoque;
Wheelbase: 2774 mm;
Kerb weight: 1850 kg
Price: Rs 25 lakh;
Launch date: Mid 2011
What is it?
Originally a British tiny car, it has now morphed into a German giant. Don't be misled by the name, there's nothing small about the Mini anymore. It's in fact bigger than most hatchbacks on sale in India. It's fun to drive, is built like a tank and has a great engine
What's special about it?
The design, the unique interior trim, and the fact that it has only two doors. If you love to travel alone or just with the love of your life, it doesn't get more special or intimate than this
Main specs
Engine: 1.6-litre petrol;
Max power: 184 bhp;
Max torque: 240 nm;
Gearbox: 6 speed automatic;
Chassis: Monocoque; Wheelbase: 2030 mm;
Kerb weight: 1215 kg
Price: Rs 20 lakh;
Launch date: Late 2011
