Automotive Exposed

The purpose of an automobile exhibition is to showcase the latest offerings in the exciting worlds of cars and bikes, as well as keep track of the latest trends that manufacturers are using as a template for the vehicles of tomorrow. There is also the fact that there is something inherently pleasing about seeing glorious and gleaming examples of futuristic motorcars and imagine ourselves driving them someday. Since India only hosts one such event on the national scale, the Auto Expo automatically gains an elevated level of anticipation, as millions of people gather together to gawk at the marvels of engineering. Amongst the sea of contenders vying for attention, few certainly do shine more than most; and we are here with a list of just such vehicles, which indicate the technology and design-related intentions of the manufacturers, and the interest these advancements generates within the enthusiast community. Unsurprisingly though, this year’s list includes mostly SUVs that not only present a strong style identity but also a more refined approach to creating soft off-roaders, in a refreshing departure from current clumsy crossovers, that mostly look like roided-out hatchbacks sitting on puffy shoes.

Skoda Vision IN

Skoda has been struggling to build a strong base in India for quite some time, despite the good reputation of their engineering and the fun driving dynamics of their cars. One place where they especially struggle in is the burgeoning SUV segment, as showcases by the lacklustre sales of their capable Yeti model. This time around, they are trying a different approach, with a built-for-India Vision IN concept, based on their country-specific MQB A0-IN platform. This vehicle claims to merge the superior performance of European engineering, with a rugged India-specific chassis and suspension setup that will set the future benchmarks for entry-level premium SUVs. The company is expected to launch the vehicle with a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine, mated with a 7-speed DSG gearbox; that is capable of churning out 150BHP off power and 250Nm of torque. Even though there isn’t any solid information on pricing, it certainly seems like this might be a direct contender for the Jeep Compass, Tata Harrier and other vehicles in that much-crowded segment.

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Tata Sierra Electric

Various brands have been on a spree recently, reviving iconic model names under new avatars. Even though the vehicles being launched are separated from their namesakes by generations, in terms of both engineering and technology, there is still an undeniable nostalgia attached to the identity of the design itself; which lends the modern versions some sense of credibility, and an in-built audience to build on. The latest Tata Sierra concept stretches that connection quite a bit, by turning the iconic 3-door SUV into an all-electric offering, with neat lines and a closed grill. The front design resembles the HBX concept from certain angles, which is expected since it also shares the ALFA ARC platform with it. There isn’t a lot of information about the engine specs, but the company claims that the SUV might come with a driving range of around 400kms. There is even talk of adding petrol and diesel variants to cater to a more traditional consumer base, which will be an exciting development in itself.

Kia Sonet

Kia has been making strong inroads into the medium-size SUV segment with the Seltos, and are now all set to repeat the success in the segment below with the Sonet; which is a direct rival to best-selling vehicles such as Brezza, EcoSport, Duster, Nexon and others. It will borrow BS6 compliant engines from its sibling, the Venue, with at least three options on offer (1.0-litre turbo petrol, 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel), and an economical price range of around 7-11 lakh. What makes a strong case for the vehicle though is the design; which features a muscular look, with deep lines accentuating the wheel arches, bonnet, and the LED lamps that merge well with the now-familiar tiger-nose grill. On the inside, the vehicle is expected to come with a 10.25-inch infotainment system, supported by a Bose premium audio system. It will be interesting to see how this offering disrupts the current standards of sub-4 metre SUVs.

Haval Concept H

India has become a formidable automobile market and every brand in the world wants to get a piece of the pie, as is the case with China’s Great Wall Motors, who showcased their upcoming line-up of premium SUVs. One of the strongest responses from this group was garnered by the Haval Concept H, a full-size SUV, which is a direct competitor for the MG Hector, Jeep Compass and other models in the category. Unlike its competitors though, this vehicle is plug-in-hybrid-electric, with the expectation of an all-electric version coming sooner than later. There are even talks of introducing autonomous driving features into the products down the road, as the company expands its sizable investment into expanding their presence in the country. We will have to wait for the official launch to see how the specs and pricing stack up to the market leaders.

From the March 2020 issue of FHM India.