Best cars at Auto Expo 2018

Tata H5X concept

Tata’s all-new SUV concept showcases the brand’s new Impact Design 2.0 philosophy with aplomb. Sharing its underpinnings with Land Rover’s Discovery, this Tata is bound for production soon in 5-seater and 7-seater guise.

Tata 45X concept

This was another example of great things to come from the design studios of Tata Motors. Although secured behind a glassy enclosure, the 45X is still one of the biggest stars of the  

Auto Expo. Sporting a sleek and confident stance, it boasts of many fantastic elements such as a new interpretation of Tata’s famed ‘humanity line’ at the front. The 45X headed for production on Tata’s new AMP platform in 2019 and will take on Hyundai’s i20 and Maruti’s Baleno

Tata Racemo EV

This one made its debut at last year’s Geneva Motor show but it was the first time that Indian audiences are seeing it in flesh. Built using innovative modular construction techniques it is small but raring to go. The Racemo showcar for India came with an EV powertrain as opposed to the turbo-petrol engine model that was showcased at Geneva.

DC TCA

This Indian sportscar can do 0-100kph in just 4.5secs and uses exotic materials like Titanium, Carbon-fibre and Aluminium in its construction (hence the ‘TCA’ name). This is DC Design’s most sophisticated car yet and its production will be limited to 299 units only (60 units have already been accounted for).

BMW i8 Roadster

This is the open-top version of BMW’s hybrid Roadster. If it does not get you hooked by its looks alone then just wait till you see the spectacle of its upward opening doors. A green sportscar it runs on a hybrid powertrain, with a combined power output of 374hp. It goes on sale in India later this year.

Maruti Concept Future S

Maruti is betting big on SUVs and after the success of the Vitara Brezza it is looking to conquer new ground in segments below. The Concept S definitely has all makings of a small SUV or crossover that will be big on space and style.

Kia SP Concept

This handsome concept is going to form the basis of an all new SUV that will take on its sister company’s best-seller, the Hyundai Creta when it goes on sale in 2019. The SP Concept in itself is a handsome SUV that ticks all the right boxes.

Kia Stinger GT

2018 Auto is a full throttle zone for Korean carmaker Kia. It has brought out its biggest guns to showcase its capabilities, technology and ultimately impress the Indian car buyer. And one of its biggest stars is the Stinger GT which with its sexy silhouette and award winning design stands apart from the Teutonic German rivals it competes with. Performance wise its quite the cracker too with 370hp on tap from a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine.

Mahindra Stinger concept

Visitors to the Mahindra pavilion will be pleasantly shocked with this quirky little SUV convertible. Based on the TUV300 platform it does not span more than meters in length but still makes a huge statement with its presence. Neat details abound both inside and out like the semi-exposed wheel or the monolith like touchscreen infotainment system.

Mahindra Rexton

SsangYong’s big SUV flagship will be called a Mahindra for the Indian market; however, it remains to be seen whether it will be called the Rexton or maybe the XUV700. Built on a ladder-on-frame chassis and equipped with 4-wheel drive, this is Mahindra’s big weapon to take the fight to Toyota’s mighty Fortuner.

Honda Amaze

Honda’s second generation Amaze has gone premium both in terms of its looks and quality. The exterior design draws on cues from larger Honda’s like Accord and Civic. Inside, the cabin makes a big leap in terms of quality, while retaining the Amaze’s USP of space. While powertrains will be the same there will be a new CVT automatic variant on the diesel engine version.

Hyundai Kona

Kona is Hyundai’s take on a stylish, premium yet compact SUV that’s designed primarily for the European markets. It says that it has brought in the Kona only gauge public reaction as of now. However, rumour has it that the Korean carmaker is expected to launch the Kona in EV guise sometime in 2019.

Toyota Yaris

After years of to-launch or not-to-launch Toyota has finally revealed its Honda City-fighter for India. Visually quite striking and endowed with a spacious, practical cabin, the Yaris looks like it’s got the ingredients right.  It will come powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, and there will be a CVT option on offer as well. Not to forget Toyota’s legendary reliability and hassle free ownership.

Renault Trezor concept

Then there are show cars which are truly capability showcases, like the Trezor concept from French car maker Renault. With looks that belong in the year 2049 it is very, very low and very sleek. Access to the cabin is not via conventional doors but a canopy that lifts upwards.

Mercedes-Benz E-class All-Terrain

This will take on the Volvo V90 Cross Country when it launches in India later this year. A rugged version of the E-Class station wagon, it comes 4x4, cladding all-around and with a raised suspension as well.

Mercedes-Maybach S650

This uber-luxo-barge will form the pinnacle of the German brand’s offerings in India. Imported as a CBU it comes powered by a 6.0-litre, V12 engine that can crank out a mind-boggling 1000Nm of torque. Also, it comes fitted with all the luxury appointments and eccentricities that befit its Rs. 2.73 crore price.