There's a car and bike to match every personality and every budget in 2018, say P Tharyan and Joshua David Luther.
Range Rover Velar (Y)
Photograph: Kind courtesy Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC
The modish Velar from the stables of Range Rover will make its way to India in 2018. The SUV is bigger than the Evoque and will come with multiple engine options, the largest of them being a 3.0L diesel that can propel it to a top speed of 241kmph. The Velar will also get ample kit including Land Rover's Terrain Response 2.
Launch: First half of 2018
Engine: 2L petrol, 2L and 3L diesel
Price: Rs 78 lakh onwards
Lexus LS
Photograph: Kind courtesy Lexus
Luxury car-maker Lexus made inroads into the Indian market last year with a slew of products. It is now going to launch its famed LS sedan in India. The luxury sedan is expected to come loaded with features, some of which include a Mark Levinson sound system, four-zone climate control, performance driving modes, and a 12.3-inch infotainment unit.
Launch: January 15, 2018
Engine: 4.6L petrol
Price: Rs 1.4 crore onwards
Jeep Renegade
Photograph: Kind courtesy Jeep.com
The Jeep Compass was a runaway success for the iconic American brand Jeep. It plans to continue this momentum in India with the launch of a smaller SUV, the Renegade. The Renegade may come with AWD capability and is expected to get a 2.0L diesel from the Compass as well as the 1.4L turbo petrol. The Renegade will be made at the Ranjangaon facility and will be priced competitively.
Launch: Second half of 2018
Engine: 1.4L petrol and 2L diesel
Price: Rs 10 lakh onwards
BMW 6-Series GT
Photograph: Kind courtesy BMW
Stunning to look at and equally impressive on the spec sheet is the BMW 6-Series GT. The four-door coupe gets sleeker looks than before and roomy interiors as well. On the technology front, BMW could offer the 6-Series GT with Air Suspension, adaptive cruise control and a lot more. BMW may also end up launching the 6-Series GT at the 2018 Auto Expo in the pipeline are the new BKMW X3 and the BMW X2.
Launch: First half of 2018
Engine: 2L petrol, 2L and 3.0L diesel
Expected price: Rs 65 lakh
Maruti Suzuki Swift
Photograph: Kind courtesy MotorBeam Digital Pvt Ltd
If your eyes popped looking at the price tags of luxury cars, rest easy. Maruti Suzuki will be launching an upgrade for the much-loved Swift. With the Dzire being launched in 2017, many already have a taste of what the new Swift will be like. The fascia looks identical to the Dzire but gets a sportier grille. The interiors, too, have been designed to look sporty. The new Swift is lighter than the outgoing model and will boast better performance as well.
Launch: February 2018
Engine: 1.2L petrol and 1.3L diesel
Expected price: Rs 5 lakh onwards
Jaguar E-Pace
Photograph: Kind courtesy Jaguar Cars
The sassy E-Pace is set to debut in India and should make its way to the country before the year's end. The E-Pace has the distinct Jaguar-like identity and borrows strongly from the Jaguar F-Type. It will go up against the likes of the BMW X1, the Mercedes GLA and the Audi Q3. It should come to the Indian market with two powertrains mated to a 9-speed automatic.
Launch: Second half of 2018
Engine: 2L petrol and diesel
Price: Rs 53 lakh onwards
Volvo XC40
Photograph: Kind courtesy Volvo Cars
This will be Volvo's smallest SUV in India. The XC40 gets a distinct Volvo design with the iconic Thor's Hammer LED DRLs. It has been built on the CMA platform and can be expected to come with a lot of safety equipment apart from excellent fit and finish. It is also likely to come with the brand's D4 diesel engine.
Launch: First half of 2018
Engine: 2L diesel
Price: Rs 26 lakh onwards
Lamborghini Urus
Photograph: Kind courtesy Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A
The Urus is not the first SUV from Lamborghini but it’s certainly the most stunning. Powered by a 4.0L twin-turbo V8, the Urus is capable of attain speeds in excess of 305kmph. The design is more like that of a sports car and gets a sharp look. Expect the Urus to come packed with technology for a seamless drive experience.
Launch: Second half of 2018
Engine: 4L petrol
Price: Rs 5 crore onwards
Norton Commando 961
Photograph: Kind courtesy Norton Motorcycles
Norton unveiled their Commando 961 motorcycle in India, while also announcing their tie up with Motoroyale, a venture of the Kinetic Group. The Norton Commando 961 is one of the brand’s most affordable motorcycles and will be the first model from the stable to be launched in India. The bike comes with 961cc parallel twin-cylinder engine that produces 90Nm of torque and 78hp. The bike also gets an Ohlins suspension setup in the front and rear and will be brought to India as a “completely built-up” unit initially.
Launch: First half of 2018
Engine: 961cc, parallel twin
Price: Rs 9 lakh onwards
Benelli TRK 502
Photograph: Kind courtesy Benelli.com
The much-awaited Benelli TRK 502 is expected to launch in India in 2018. The bike comes powered by a 499cc, parallel twin-cylinder engine. The powerplant produces around 46hp and 45Nm of torque and is a liquid-cooled unit. The bike will likely come with ABS as standard and will also be locally assembled. The TRK 502 is expected to come with a 20-litre fuel tank and the body will weigh over 200 kg. The TRK 502 will also feature 320mm dual front discs with a 260mm single disc in the rear.
Launch: First half of 2018
Engine: 500cc, parallel twin, liquid cooled
Price: Rs 5 lakh onwards
Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster
Photograph: Kind courtesy Triumph Motorcycles
Triumph unveiled the Bonneville Speedmaster at the India Bike Week 2017. The motorcycle has been built on the same platform as the Bonneville Bobber and gets a typical bonny look. Powering the Speedmaster is the same 1200cc parallel twin engine that produces 77hp and 106Nm of torque. The bike will come with a lot in its kit, including ABS, traction control and KYB suspension.
Launch: First half of 2018
Engine: 1200cc, parallel twin cylinder
Price: Rs 9 lakh onwards
BMW G 310 R
Photograph: Kind courtesy BMW-Motorrad
The G 310 R has been anticipated for quite a while and 2018 will be the lucky year for those expectations. Powered by a 313cc single-cylinder engine that produces over 33hp and 28Nm of torque, the G 310 R will come with KYB forks and a swing arm in the rear. The bike will be BMW's entry-level model in India and is built on a shared platform with the TVS Apache RR 310. The G 310 R will come with a trellis frame and will weigh 158 kg. Based on the same platform as the G 310 R, the G 310 GS is a touring motorcycle to hit Indian roads.
Launch: Second half of 2018
Engine: 313cc, single cylinder
Price: Rs 2.5 lakh
