Most Talked About Cars

We put together the best cars under various categories - be it the hatchback, sedan, SUV or luxury segments. Check them out and pick up the one which you think will be your best drive.
- Text by Sulabh Puri

SUV: BMW X1 20D EXCLUSIVE (Rs 29.9 lakh)

Specs: 11995 cc diesel engine; 6-speed automatic transmission; 179 PS power; 350 Nm Torque; 0-100 kmph in 8.3 seconds; 61-litre fuel tank.

Here is an SUV which has no match. BMW's plunge in the mid-range SUV segment garnered enough eyeballs.

The Exclusive model you see above is the German major's top X1 variant and has all what BMW is known for-sexy looks, good build, hot alloys, very BMW premium front grill. A nice add-on is the panoramic glass sun roof which runs from front to back.

The 6-speed automatic transmission offers an effortless drive. You get good gadgetry to play around with in the cabin. iDrive is the most striking of them all. Also worth a mention is the dual climate control and steering mounted ICE controls. The drive comfort may not be up there with what is offered by the other big boys of the BMW stable, but at this price we shouldn't be complaining.

Courtesy: Gadgets & Gizmos

SUV: SKODA YETI ELEGANCE (Rs 16.62 lakh)

Specs: 1968 cc diesel engine; Turbocharger; 6-speed manual gearbox; Permanent four wheel drive; 16-inch alloy wheels;180 mm ground clearance; CD changer with touch screen controls; SD card slot; MP3 jack; 60-litre fuel tank.

Though the Yeti is not as huge as other SUVs in its class, it has all you need: lots of space, storage and tech advancements. It is hard not to fall in love with the vehicle.

This stylish machine seats you well and is very stable even on the harshest roads. No matter what the challenge-a drive around a noisy city street or a weekend getaway in the mountain ranges-the Yeti is up to the task.

At a competitive price, it offers the best gadgetry and comforts. It has a central touch screen entertainment console with steering mounted keys, MP3 player jack and SD card slot. For added safety the car features cabin air bags, traction control and ABS.

The ride is comfortable and the 2-litre diesel engine can go up to 160 kmph without a complaint. What further amazes is the 6-speed manual transmission for even speed distribution.

Courtesy: Gadgets & Gizmos

HATCHBACK: FIAT GRANDE PUNTO 90 HP (Rs 6.8 lakh)

Specs: 1248 cc diesel engine;16 valves, 93@4000 RPM; CD player; Climate control; Tilt steering; Power windows.

If you have a racer hidden in you who is begging to be untethered, gift yourself this speedster. Designed like a bullet, the Grande Punto can zoom ahead with its 1248cc, 16 valve diesel engine. Dressed in sporty vinyl from front to back, the car's exteriors are worth dying for. The interiors call out for attention as well.

The aluminium paddles for the driver, hot leather racing seats all around and a sturdy steering wheel made silently say, "Wow!" That is not all. The Punto also boasts luxury features. Like central locking with auto lock feature, climate control A/C and a CD player that can be accessed via the steering console.

The best has to be the Blue & Me feature which allows you to pair your Bluetooth mobile phone with the car and make or receive calls. Multiple phones can be paired simultaneously.

Courtesy: Gadgets & Gizmos

HATCHBACK: FORD FIGO 1.4 DIESEL TITANIUM (Rs 5.44 lakh)

Specs: 1400cc diesel engine; Front power windows; Driver seat height adjustment; Electronic side view mirrors; CD changer with Bluetooth; Digital odometer and distance to empty meter; Rear defogger and wipe washer.

Ford Motor made a foray into the already crowded hatchback segment and revived its image in the Indian market. Ford's magical mantra was the Figo. If the car's regular brick red dash turns you off, don't despair. You can ask for a dash in a different colour. The car has some neat things to exhibit when it comes to car technology.

To start with, it has a good USB-ready CD system which can connect to your BT-ready phone (or you can use your Auxiliary port). The driver's seat height can be adjusted manually while the side view mirrors can be electronically managed. The 1400 cc diesel engine kicks in nicely to provide a smooth and even drive at every gear level.

It even has a distance-to-empty meter which indicates how many kilometres later would your car need refuelling. The ride is nice and comfortable.

Courtesy: Gadgets & Gizmos

LUXURY: AUDI A8 L 4.2 FSI (Rs 89 lakh)

SPECS: 4.2 FSI V8 engine; 372 HP; CD system with B&O speakers; Dual rear LCDs; 5.27 m length

The word luxury has different meanings for everyone but the new Audi A8 defines it the best. It is so crafted with perfection that you will forget you are on the road when you enter this four-door, full-size luxury sedan.

We call it a luxurious, gadget-rich palace on wheels. It has noticeable changes on the exterior. What steal the show are the stunning new headlamps. Step in and you'd know why the A8 cost you a bomb. The car has everything except a bathtub. Heated seats with massage function, large displays accompanied by Bang & Olufsen speakers and an armrest with all ICE controls on it. All the seats can be electronically managed.

Moreover, the driver also gets night vision for a safer night drive. For security, there are air bags all over the cabin to protect every person in the car should there be an unfortunate accident.

Courtesy: Gadgets & Gizmos

LUXURY: BMW 730 LD (Rs 81.3 lakh)

Specs: 2993cc diesel engine; 540/1750 Nm torque; 6 cylinder, 4 valves; 6 CD changer; Rear LCDs; electronic seats; ABS; Air bags; 16 loudspeakers around the cabin.

This car combines modern looks and classy interiors with cutting edge technique and a very powerful three-litre diesel engine. Targeted at the ultra-rich, the car has the best comforts.

Knowing that the car would in all probability be driven by a chauffeur, BMW has put special emphasis on rear comfort and in-car entertainment. The twin LCDs at the back can play TV, DVDs and games too (if a console is connected).

Pull the middle armrest down and the passengers get a central console to manage the entertainment channels. To assist the driver, this Beemer has a night vision camera, park assist and special heads-up display (HUD).

Adding to the convenience while driving, the HUD lights up the front windscreen with a digital speedometer.

Courtesy: Gadgets & Gizmos

SEDAN: SKODA LAURA LAND 2K TDI (Rs 17.98 lakh)

Specs: 1968 cc diesel engine; 6-speed automatic transmission; 140/4000 RPM; Front wheel drive; 164 mm ground clearance; CD changer with 12 speakers; 55-litre fuel tank

Slowly but steadily, Skoda has become a popular choice of the young and seasoned drivers. Last year Skoda gave us a great sedan-Laura-which replaced the bestselling Octavia.

The Laura is a good mix of elegance and modern looks. The Laura 2K is the diesel version with a powerful 2-litre engine. Step inside the cabin and get bowled over by the plush seats. The driver seat can be electronically adjusted. And if the same car is driven by different drivers, the memory button (which can save the settings) makes the adjustment a hassle free task. Press the button and your seat will automatically get aligned to the pre-defined settings.

The Laura comes with a 6-CD changer with 12 speakers around the cabin. Dual Zone climate control and electronic external mirrors also come as part of the package. You can opt for either the 5-speed manual transmission or the 6-speed automatic.

Courtesy: Gadgets & Gizmos

SEDAN: MARUTI SUZUKI KIZASHI (From Rs 16.5 lakh)

Specs: 2393 cc engine; 230/4000 RPM; Front wheel drive; ABS, EPS; CD changer.

With the Kizashi launch, Maruti stepped into the premium sedan segment and outgrew its small-car manufacturer tag. Although the final product does not look anything like the prototype we saw at the Auto Expo last year, the Kizashi still impresses.

From certain angles it appears to be a longer, subtler version of the SX4. The hood hides a 2.4-litre engine, which can leave many behind when in motion. The interiors are quite nice with a good blend of comfort and gadgetry.

The tech includes programmable dual climate control, CD changer with seven speakers, tilt and telescope steering wheel with navigation buttons and keyless push button ignition. The driver gets the electronic function for seat adjustment as well. For safety, Maruti Suzuki has installed airbags around the front cabin. The car has ABS and EPS as well.

Courtesy: Gadgets & Gizmos