Even though the new Swift looks similar to the current car, it has an all-new design. The new Swift will come with a longer wheelbase to improve rear legroom and will have a stiffer bodyshell too. Suzuki claims that it will be sportier to drive as well. For India, the K-series petrol engine and the 1.3 DDiS that currently power the Ritz and Swift will be retained. The Swift will arrive by mid-2011 and should be priced around Rs 5 lakh. Rs 5 lakh

* hatchbacks

Chevrolet Beat Diesel

After the success of the petrol Beat, General Motors is gearing up to launch the diesel model. The 936cc three-cylinder common-rail diesel is good. It is expected to produce 57bhp. Hopefully, GM will give the car good driveability. Brilliant fuel economy and low running costs are expected. The diesel Beat should be in the market by January 2011 and will be priced around Rs 4-4.60 lakh. Rs 4-4.60 lakh

* LUXURY CARS

Honda Accord facelift

Honda is all set to give its Accord saloon a midlife facelift. This will include a few exterior design updates that include a new styled front grille, bumper and rear deck lid, better interior styling and new wheel designs. Additional interior updates include a slightly improved instrument panel design. The engines will most likely remain the same. The car should be here in early 2011 Rs 18-26 lakh

* SUVs

BMW X1

The X1 will be the cheapest BMW in India. The SUV will be available as a rear-wheel drive only. This compact SUV is based on the 3-series saloon and will be launched as a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) model. It will be assembled at BMW?s Chennai plant. In terms of legroom, the X1 beats the CR-V, but the Honda is wider. Cabin quality is as good as other BMW products. The X1 gets a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 174bhp. It will be launched by January 2011. Pricing will be competitive at an estimated Rs 28-32 lakh, which will surely create ripples in the luxury SUV market. The BMW X1 is indeed worth waiting for.Rs 22 lakh-Rs 29.9 lakh

* Midsizers

New Ford Fiesta

The new Ford Fiesta will be bigger than the existing model and will get a more powerful 1.6-litre 118bhp petrol engine. There will also be a 1.6-litre 90bhp diesel motor. The car is expected to hit Indian shores by January 2011 and will be priced between Rs 6.80 lakh and Rs 7.70 lakh. Rs 6.80 lakh-Rs 7.70 lakh

New Hyundai Verna

The stylish new Verna has a very striking design. Its design uses Hyundai?s ?fluidic sculpture? design language. It will be available with Hyundai?s new 1.4 and 1.6 Gamma petrol engines producing 106bhp and 122bhp respectively. The new Verna is expected by early 2011, Rs 6.65-9.40 lakh

?Content Powered by: What Car