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Ashok Leyland Stile

If the Stile looks familiar, that’s because it is Ashok Leyland’s version of the recently launched Nissan Evalia MPV. But where the Evalia is targeted at private car buyers, the Stile will be positioned primarily for commercial users and tour operators, and as a result will be sold at a considerably lower price point. The Stile will feature a different nose and, in keeping with its intended purpose, will also come with a toned down cabin. You can also expect the Stile to do without many of the Evalia’s safety features like ABS and airbags. However, the Stile will still be powered by Renault’s 1.5-litre K9K engine, but possibly in a lower state of tune. There could also be a CNG version in the future.

FACTFILE
Engine: 1.5-litre diesel
Power/torque: 65bhp/16.3kgm
Kerb weight : NA
L/W/H: 4400/1695/1880mm
Expected: Mid-2013
Price: Rs 7.5-8.5 lakh*

Force Motors New Trax

Spurred on by the continued success of the Mahindra Bolero, Force Motors is readying a new version of its long-running Trax utility vehicle. The new Trax will come with smarter styling and updated interiors, and will feature the OM616 diesel engine that uses a two-valve common-rail system. Since it’s BSIV compliant, this engine will enable the new Trax to be sold in the metros as well. Spec for spec, the Trax’s pricing is likely to mirror the Bolero’s. Force Motors is also working on reviving the Gurkha to take on the Mahindra Thar.

FACTFILE
Engine: 2.6-litre diesel
Power/torque: NA
Kerb weight: NA
L/W/H: NA
Expected: Mid-2013
Price: Rs 5.5-6.5 lakh*

Force Motors MPV

With the soaring popularity of MPVs, Force Motors may have an ace up its sleeve with its own people-mover, which is scheduled for launch in late 2013. The MPV will be a Force Motors-badged version of the Viano that will be built under license from Mercedes-Benz. Larger than the current lot of MPVs on sale in India, the yet unnamed model could be sold as an eight-seater. We expect the MPV to come with the 139bhp Mercedes-Benz-licensed OM611 2.2-litre diesel engine, which also does duty in the Force One SUV. While prices are not known yet, we estimate Force Motors will launch this MPV with a price in the Rs 10-15 lakh band.

FACTFILE
Engine: 2.2-litre diesel
Power/torque: 139bhp/32.7kgm
Kerb weight: NA
L/W/H: 4763/1338/2253mm
Expected: End-2013
Price: Rs 10-15 lakh*

Hyundai MPV

The concept you see here previews some of the styling cues you can expect on Hyundai’s new MPV for India, which could make production by late 2013. Going by the 4.3-metre-long Hexa Space show car’s design, the production version (codename: HND-7) will have a distinct bonnet section and won’t be a mono-volume MPV like its contemporaries. Details like the peeled-back headlamps, flared arches and boomerang tail-lights could make it to the final version too. Built on an approximately 2.7-metre-long wheelbase, the MPV could be offered as an eight-seater with a unique 3+3+2 seating layout. Likely to sell with the 1.6-litre diesel from the Verna and Elantra, the concept’s turbocharged 1200cc Kappa petrol motor and six-speed automatic gearbox hint at some of the other possible powertrain options. You can expect Hyundai to price this interesting MPV on par with the Maruti Ertiga.

FACTFILE
Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol, 1.6-litre diesel
Power/torque: NA, 126bhp/26.5kgm
Kerb weight: NA
L/W/H: NA
Expected: Late-2013
Price: Rs 6-9 lakh*

Jaguar F-Type

Easily one of the stars of the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Jaguar’s gorgeous new F-Type sports car is on its way to India come 2013. A spiritual successor to the 1960s E-type, the F-type will initially be available in convertible form only, while the more India-friendly coupé will make its way here a year later. The F-type is a strict two-seater, and shares a lot of its underpinnings with the XK grand tourer, though it is considerably smaller than the larger Jag and similar in size to the Porsche 911. Buyers will have the option to choose between a pair of supercharged 3.0-litre V6s with power outputs of 335bhp and 375bhp, and also a range-topping 488bhp 5.0-litre V8, all of which will come mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Expect prices to start from Rs 1 crore for this leaping cat.

FACTFILE
Engine: 3.0-litre petrol, 3.0-litre petrol, 5.0-litre petrol
Power/torque: 335bhp/45.9kgm, 375bhp/46.9kgm, 488bhp/63.7kgm
Kerb weight: 1597-1665kg
L/W/H: 4470/1923/1296mm
Expected: Mid-2013
Price: Rs 1 crore onwards*

Audi S5

The S4 has already made its India debut and will be joined by other cars from Audi’s red-hot S performance range soon. Among the models due for launch are the S6 and S7, each of which is equipped with a stonking 414bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. The S8 is on its way here too. It gets all the luxury trappings of an A8 and the same twin-turbo V8 as the S6 and S7, albeit with 513bhp on tap. It’s the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing. While the S6, S7 and S8 will cost a sizeable amount more than their current range-topping variants, the S5 coupé will actually cost less than the RS5 already sold here. It will also be less powerful than that car, but with 329bhp on tap, still promises to be an absolute blast to drive.

FACTFILE
Engine: 3.0-litre petrol
Power/torque: 329bhp/44.9kgm
Kerb weight: 1750kg
L/W/H: 4640/1854/1369mm
Expected: Mid-2013
Price: Rs 75 lakh*