20 exciting cars coming your way in 2011!

If 2010 saw a flurry of new cars, 2011 will only see more.

Here are some that should matter, or just be eye candy:

Mahindra Small Car

Mahindra & Mahindra is working on a chopped-up version of its Xylo to qualify for the small car (sub-4m) market in India. It should be powered by a diesel engine of 1.4-litres or less to take the benefit of lower excise duty and stay price competitive. Also on the cards is an SUV for the global market to slot above the Scorpio.

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Renault Koleos

Billed to be Renault's fi rst SUV in India, it is likely to be powered by a 2-litre diesel producing around 150 bhp and have 4x4 capabilities.

It is about as big as a Nissan X-trail or a Mitsubishi Pajero. Expect a price of around Rs 20 lakh.

Its split tailgate would be an interesting feature and a first in the country.

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Audi A7

Shown as the Sportback Concept for about two years now, it was an open secret that this was pretty much what the production A7 would look like.

While it shares its platform with the A8 sedans, it is styled and underpinned to be sportier. Power should come from engines of around 3 litres, both petrol and diesel.

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Lamborghini Estoque

If Porsche can pull off the Panamera, can Lamborghini be far behind? This is the supercar maker's take on fast, very fast, four-seater touring cars.

The engine, of course, will move up front and there will be space for more than a golf bag in the boot.

This is close to getting into production. The concept is powered by a 5.2-litre V10, but that could change.

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Bentley Continental GT

The second, squarer iteration now gets the LED headlamp treatment, a la the Mulsanne. Power still comes from a W12 petrol but is upped slightly to 567 bhp. Now, there will also be a 4-litre V8 on offer, just in case one is the type who cannot look at a tree without wondering how long it will be there.

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Toyota Etios Liva

The hatchback version of the Toyota Etios should hit the showrooms in the first quarter of 2011.

It is likely to be one of the roomiest hatches and engine options should include a 1.2-litre as also the Etios' 1.5-litre petrol.

Further on in the year, the 1.4-litre diesel doing duty in the Corolla should fi nd its way into both the Etios and the Liva.

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Mercedes CLS

The new CLS, whose predecessor created the class, has broken cover and should hit the Indian market, albeit as a CBU.

Engine options include V6 and V8 petrols as well as a hybrid. Don't think it will come cheap though.

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Chevrolet Aveo U-VA

This is supposed to be the third GM launch on the company's 300 platform.

With looks that are far more defined than that of the current U-VA, it should pull in the young and happening.

Expect a sub-1.2-litre petrol and possibly a 1.3-litre diesel to do duty in it. Hope its go is as good as its show.

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Volvo S60

The second-generation S60 could probably have the distinction of being the curviest Volvo this side of the P1800.

Designed to thrill rather than just make a lot of sense, it is likely to have a 2-litre, 200 bhp petrol and/or diesels pushing out around the same power. New tech includes pedestrian detection and auto braking.

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Nissan V sedan

Just revealed as the Sunny in China, the V platform sedan has been seen in metal. It will add to the options in the Rs 5 lakh-10 lakh category.

Engine is likely to be a 1.5-litre petrol that will produce a little over 100 bhp of power.

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Hyundai Verna

The Verna got a mid-life makeover, but it essentially remains the old car under the skin. 2011, however, should see a fully new Verna, sporting Hyndai's new hexagonal grille and a very swoopy hood.

A new Sonata is on the cards too.

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Ford Fiesta

Codenamed B299, this is the avatar the next Fiesta is likely to come in. Retaining the handling characteristics that have endeared Fords to users, this one will surely be one of the best lookers in the segment too.

Power should come from around 1.6-litre petrols and diesels with the former delivering around 110 bhp.

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Renault Fluence

Along with the Koleos, this car has the responsibility of establishing Renault as an independent carmaker in India.

It should come with a 110-odd bhp diesel engine

and, at an expected price of around Rs 12 lakh, should compete with the Toyota Corollas and Skoda Lauras of the world.

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Suzuki rIII

The test bed for Suzuki's Indian R&D team, this is the fi rst vehicle in the Suzuki stable that has largely been designed outside Japan.

A compact MPV with three rows of seating, it should be able to haul the disappearing great Indian family.

Diesel is likely to be the fuel of choice and it could come with the 1.3-litre Multijet, possibly turbocharged.

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Suzuki Swift

Six years on in 2011, Suzuki is ready to give the Swift an update. Slightly longer, the new model has a more pronounced rump, though it retains the design cues.

Powertrains are likely to be same as the ones in the current model.

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Suzuki Kizashi

Big, stylish and ready to take on the Accords and Camrys of the world, it will mark Maruti Suzuki's foray into this luxury segment.

Engine is likely to be a 2.4-litre J-series belting out 170 bhp and 23 kgm. And it's designed to be sporty too.

If Suzuki continues its value pricing, it should be around Rs 20 lakh as a CBU.

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BMW 6-Series

Revealed in November in Los Angeles, the BMW 6-series coupes and convertibles retain their big sporty car look but the design has been muted from what a certain Mr Bangle had conceived for the car's earlier generation.

Power will come from 6-cylinder engines, some of them boosted.

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VW Passat

Volkswagen has revealed its new Passat, which now sports the family's design theme. We see VW continuing with the 1.8-litre TSI petrol and the 2.0-litre TDI diesel.

Price should remain close to the current level of around Rs 20 lakh onwards.

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VW Jetta

Not coming a day too early, the new, sharper-looking

Jetta should finally help VW make a dent in the segment.

Possibilities include a 1.4 TSI petrol and a slightly bigger diesel to keep power output around 120 bhp.

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Honda Brio

Showcased in prototype form recently in Thailand, the Brio will take Honda's fight to the small car segment.

While the length will be around 3.6 metres, it has been designed to be roomy inside. A 1.2-litre petrol engine producing around 80 bhp should be doing duty and a base version price of around Rs 4.5 lakh is likely.