The 20 hottest selling cars in India in January

In spite of car prices going up -- because of rise in input costs -- carmakers in India notched up impressive figures in January 2011.

Led by the country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki, Ford India, General Motors and Toyota Kirloskar logged overall growth in sales volumes.

Maruti Suzuki registered a 14.74 per cent rise in its sales at 109,743 units this January as against 95,649 units in January 2010.

The sales included 9,321 export units, the company said in a statement.

During January 2011, the company's cumulative sales in the current fiscal crossed 10 lakh units at 10,37,408, the statement added.

Hyundai Motor saw 17.7 per cent drop in overall volumes while its domestic sales marked a marginal growth of 2.4 per cent.

So which are the most popular cars in India?

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Alto: 33,118 units

The Alto is powered by a three-cylinder 796 cc gasoline engine with 4 valves per cylinder, MPFI and a 32bit ECM. All models have a five-speed manual transmission.

Maruti recently launched the Alto K10 sports a 5-speed manual transmission with cable gear shift.

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i10: 16,694 units

India's second largest car maker, Hyundai Motor India, launched the facelifted new Hyundai i10 in September 2010.

The new Hyundai is now available with a mighty engine and sports quite  a few cosmetic changes at front and rear side along with a few interior modifications.

The new Hyundai i10 christened 'Next Gen i10'  houses the same existing powertrains but has a newly added technology -- Variable Variable Timing Valve Train -- incorporated to enhance power and performance.

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WagonR: 14,186 units

Maruti Suzuki India revamped its looks and introduced a new look WagonR in 2010 which sheds the boxy look at the back.

It is a mid-size and affordable hatchback.

This powerful engine of Maruti Wagon R is very fuel efficient and the manual transmission gearbox is also a very good performer and offers an impressive mileage of 14.4 kmpl in the city roads and 19.3 kmpl on the highways.

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Maruti Swift: 11,353 units

In the Indian auto market Swift is available with seven variants four with petrol and three with diesel engine option.

The petrol version of Maruti Swift is powered by 1.2-litre K-series engine.

Maruti Swift is endowed with five-speed manual transmission.

However, the diesel version of Maruti Swift is packed with 1.3L, DDiS engine with a displacement of 1248cc.

The 1.3L diesel engine is fitted with a turbocharger and intercooler combination and is endowed with a five-step multi-injection common rail system.

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Indica: 10,591 units

Originally offered with 1.4L petrol and diesel engines, a turbocharged diesel engine was introduced in October 2005; a 1.2L petrol engine in November 2006 and a DiCOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) diesel version of Indica V2 was launched in January 2008.

It features 16 valves, double overhead camshafts, a variable geometry turbocharger and an intercooler.

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Maruti Dzire: 9,771 units

Maruti DZire is available in both petrol and diesel versions. The car uses the same engines as available in the Swift.

• A four cylinder 1197cc 16V DOHC Petrol engine, rated at 85 bhp (63 kW) @6000 rpm with 113 N m (83 ft lbf) @ 4500rpm maximum torque.
• A four cylinder 1248cc 16V DOHC Diesel engine, rated at 75 bhp (56 kW) @ 4000 rpm with 190 N m (140 ft lbf) @ 2000rpm maximum torque.

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Mahindra Bolero: 8,463 units

Bolero is the number 1 SUV in India.

Mahindra Bolero, powerful yet elegantly designed vehicle makes your drive easier on bumpy roads of India.

It has a powerful 2498 cc diesel engine which sets it apart from other cars.

Its comfortable antisubmarine seats, air conditioners, power steering and 4 speaker music system double the quality of its interiors.

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Indigo Manza: 8,456 units

Tata Motors launched the Indigo Manza on in October 2009.

The variant is based on the Tata X1 platform which was displayed by Tata Motors in its prototype form called Elegante Concept during the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

The launch coincided with the phasing out of the earlier sedan version of Indigo.

Four variants are the Aqua, Aura, Aura (ABS) and the Aura +. with engine options of a 1.4 liter petrol and a 1.3 liter diesel engine, shared with the Fiat Linea.

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Omni: 8,059 units

The microvan from the Maruti stable had 796 cc engine, same as the Maruti 800 city car.

This was the second vehicle to be launched by Maruti, one year after the 800, in 1984.

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Tata Nano: 6,703 units

In 2008 the Financial Times reported: "If ever there were a symbol of India's ambitions to become a modern nation, it would surely be the Nano, the tiny car with the even tinier price-tag.

A triumph of homegrown engineering, the $2,200 Nano encapsulates the dream of millions of Indians groping for a shot at urban prosperity."

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Maruti Ritz: 6,046 units

Maruti Suzuki released the Splash in India as Maruti Suzuki Ritz.

It is available in nine variants, five with petrol and rest four with diesel engine options.

The petrol variants of Maruti Ritz are powered by the company's popular 1.2L, 1197cc, K12M KB series petrol engine.

This engine is getting much popularity in the Indian market because of its excellent performance and fuel efficiency.

The light weight all aluminum K12M engine delivers 85 PS of maximum power at 6000rpm with 113Nm of maximum torque 4000rpm.

The mileage it delivers in city is around 14.5kmpl in city and 18kmpl on highway.

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Maruti Eeco: 5,886 units

Eeco was introduced in India by Maruti Suzuki during 2010.

This car is essentially an updated Versa.

Eeco comes with 5 seater and 7 seater options. Eeco is equipped with advanced Engine Management System for optimising fuel efficiency and performance.

It is branded by the manufacturer as a perfect car for every occasion-a business trip or a picnic with the loved ones.

A new minivan from Maruti Suzuki is expected in 2011 to replace the Eeco/Versa and (possibly) the ageing Omni.

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i20: 5,773 units

The Hyundai i20 earned from Euro NCAP a maximum 5 star safety rating and scored an impressive six out of a maximum seven points in the 'safety assist' category, receiving top marks for its belt reminder and electronic stability programme which minimises the risk of skidding by braking individual wheels.

The i20 was named one of Euro NCAP's 'top five safest cars for 2009'.

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Innova: 5,284 units

In the Indian auto market Toyota Innova is available with twelve variants.

Three variants of Toyota Innova come with a petrol engine option which is powered by 2.0L, 1998cc, 1TR-FE, Gasoline, 4 Inline Cylinder petrol engine with EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection).

The EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) technology enhances the fuel efficiency and performance of the vehicle.

This engine delivers high engine performance and produces 132 PS of maximum power at 5600rpm with 181 Nm of maximum torque at 4000rpm.

The diesel variants of Toyota Innova are powered by 2.5L, 2494cc, 2KD-FTV, diesel engine with Turbocharger, 4 Inline Cylinder and with Common-Rail Direct Injection fuel supply system.

This diesel engine produces 102 PS of maximum power at 3600rpm and 200 Nm of maximum torque at 1400 3400rpm.

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Honda City: 5,059 units

This Honda City is also available in India with the engine of the 1.5 i-VTEC.

This car is available in four variants, namely E, S, V, and the V AT (automatic).

The E variant was launched recently based on customer feedback asking for changes to the interior colour and the cost.

In 2009, Honda City became the best selling model of the company, with sales volume even surpassing that of Thailand, previously the best selling market for the City.

There are also two accessories packages, Elegance and Inspire. In India Honda City has been awarded the "Car of the Year".

Hyundai Santro: 4,648 units

Hyundai entered the Indian market through the Santro whose main rival at that time was the popular Maruti Suzuki Zen.

The company signed a contract with Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan to endorse the Santro and although the radical styling was not accepted by everyone, the car was an instant hit.

It is still undergoing number of improvements and face lifts to suit the Indian customers.

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Mahindra Scorpio: 4,304 units

The Scorpio was conceptualized and designed by the in-house integrated design and manufacturing (IDAM) team of M&M.

The car has been the recipient of three prestigious awards - the 'Car of the Year' award from Business Standard Motoring, the 'Best SUV of the Year' by BBC World Wheels and the 'Best Car of the Year' award, again, from BBC World Wheels.

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Maruti A-Star: 4,124 units

Maruti Suzuki launched automatic gear version of Maruti A Star in India on Independence day (2010).

The feature is available only in the Vxi version with ABS and driver seat height adjustable.

The automatic gearbox is mated with 4 gears for zipper acceleration and fun riding.

It gives direct competition to Hyundai 10.

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Maruti Zen Estilo: 3,652 units

Maruti Suzuki India unveiled the alternative fuel operated Maruti Zen Estilo in New Delhi in August.

The new car is fitted with company's flagship CNG kit that is loaded with Intelligent-Gas Port Injection (i-GPI) bio-fuel technology; it ensures lesser emissions, higher power and mileage.

The new CNG kit has been developed keeping general concerns like safety, reliability and performance, in mind.

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Chevrolet Beat: 3,338 units

Beat comes with additional features as compared to i10, Ritz, Ford Figo, and A-Star.

Beat has an excellent mileage.

Beat LT also has an above par infotainment system with radio, cd player and a USB port, four speakers and a crystal clear sound.

Also Beat is Bharat Stage IV emmision norms compliant.

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