Auto Expo 2016: Top 10 Cars to Watch Out for This Year

1) Maruti Vitara Brezza

Maruti Suzuki will be launching its first sub-4 metre compact SUV in India this year and we will get to see a glimpse of it at the Auto Expo 2016. Christened as the Vitara Brezza (Codename YBA) it is one of the most awaited launches from Maruti Suzuki in 2016 and marks the carmaker's entry into the fast growing sub-compact SUV market. Moreover the car's Chief Engineer, Mr. CV Raman, is the first Indian to head a model project for an automobile MNC. As for its powertrain options, the Vitara Brezza comes with the same 1.2-litre K-Series VVT petrol engine and 1.3-litre DDiS diesel motor that does duty on the Swift and Baleno. Also, transmission duties will be taken care of by a 5-speed manual gearbox. Given the current market trend, there is also a possibility of Maruti offering the car with an optional 4-speed AMT unit.

2) Hyundai Sub-Compact SUV

Hyundai India is also set to enter the sub-4 metre compact SUV segment this year with an all-new model. The new sub-compact SUV will be placed below the Hyundai Creta and will be pitched against the likes of the Ford EcoSport and Mahindra TUV300. The SUV will come with front wheel drive architecture and will share the same small car platform, which spawns the Elite i20, i20 Active and Creta. It is also likely to share powertrain with the i20 Active, and the smaller 1.4-litre diesel engine from the Creta with an expected price of Rs. 7.5 to Rs. 10 lakh.

3) Honda BR-V

Another compact SUV to be displayed at this year's auto expo will be the Honda BR-V. Based on Honda's latest design language, the BR-V compact SUV comes with sporty same angular headlamps with projector units and LED position lights, aggressive front bumper housing the round fog lamps with chrome bezels and a very prominent U-shaped chrome slat with the Honda badge on the front grille. The Honda BR-V will come sporting a 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel and will be a direct rival to the Hyundai Creta and the New Renault Duster.

4) Chevrolet New Concept

The 2016 Auto Expo will also see Chevrolet display its next generation cars. The American giant has confirmed that it will reveal 2 new concept vehicles on February 3, the opening day for press officials at Auto Expo. One of these two new concepts is believed to the new generation Chevrolet Beat, which is set to be launched in India later next fiscal. Apart from its India-centric offerings, the Chevrolet will also showcase some of its more extravagant and iconic products like the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro.

5) Datsun GO-Cross

Nissan's low-cost subsidiary, Datsun will also be among the carmakers that will be bringing some exciting offerings to the 2016 Auto Expo. The major highlight of Datsun's line-up will be the new GO-Cross concept crossover vehicle that was revealed earlier last year at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. Based on the Datsun GO Plus MPV, the concept version of the compact crossover features a distinctive front-end with a hexagonal radiator grille and sweptback LED headlights, which makes the car look quite sleek. It will be Datsun's flagship product for India and will possibly borrow the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol mill currently used in the GO and GO Plus.

6) New Generation Audi R8

The new generation Audi R8 is finally set to reach the Indian shores next year. Set to be one of the key highlights of the 2016 Auto Expo, the new Audi R8 was first unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. This popular sports car now comes with some exceptional new styling and striking exterior feature. The car's spearhead stance garnished by the single-frame front grille with honeycomb pattern, flanked by standard flat LED headlamps or optional laser lighting clusters. Under the hood the new R8 V10 sports a 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine that will come in two states of tune - 540bhp and 610bhp and is coupled with the standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

7) Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet

Last year Mercedes-Benz India had one of the highest number of luxury car launches in the country. With 15 new products in 2015. The Stuttgart-based is determined to continue its launch spree this year as well and the new S-Class Cabriolet will be one of them. Unveiled earlier last year in September, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet shares its design cues with the S 500 Coupe along with its own unique styling. Among its exclusive features, the S-Class Cabriolet comes with an all-new THERMOTRONIC intelligent climate control system which promises to keep occupants comfortable regardless of whether the roof is opened or closed. The car will be one of the 12 new launches Mercedes-Benz India has planned this year.

8) Jaguar XE

Set to be the most affordable Jaguar in India, the XE sedan is will be one of the first launches of the 2016 Auto Expo. Slated to be launched on February 3, the first day of the Auto Expo, the Jaguar XE is also the first product in its segment to come with an aluminium-intensive monocoque frame, which is claimed to make it the most advanced and refined sports saloon in its class. The Jaguar EX will be powered four-cylinder, two-litre petrol engine offered in two power trims - 197bhp and 237bhp. While the former comes with a peak torque of 320Nm the latter develops 240Nm of peak torque.

9) Jeep Grand Cherokee

Fiat India is all set to launch the Jeep brand in India next year and the first product to be offered by the American carmaker will be the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The SUV will initially reach the Indian shores via CBU route, while local assembly is in plan for the future. Under the hood the Jeep Grand Cherokee will be powered by 305bhp 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with peddle shifters. The Grand Cherokee will also come with a 4X4 Quadra-Drive system along with engine stop-start system. In India the SUV will go up against the likes of Audi Q5, Land Rover Discovery Sport and BMW X5.

10) Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang has been one the most awaited cars that is set to be launched in India this year. Ford has done some extensive testing of the Mustang in India and is finally ready to bring the iconic car to the Indian sub-continent. The car comes with a special right-hand-wheel drive set up designed for UK and Indian markets and will reach India via CBU route. Although sold internationally with a spread of 4 lightweight aluminium engine options including those found on Shelby variants, India is likely to get either the 2.3-litre EcoBoost or 5.0-litre V8 engine.