Top 10 car launches in 2012

The year 2012 has seen almost every major car company in the country launch new models, and buyers in every price and class segment—a hatchback, an SUV or a luxury sedan, you name it—suddenly have a lot to choose from. Here's a look at some of the new launches:

Renault Duster: Rs 7.2-11.3 lakh

The Duster, launched in July, was undoubtedly the most awaited vehicle of the year. The mid-sized sports utility vehicle is available in both petrol and diesel options. The petrol version is powered by a 1.6-litre engine and is priced between Rs 7.19 lakh and Rs 8.19 lakh. The diesel option, powered by a 1.5-litre engine, costs between Rs 7.99 lakh and Rs 11.29 lakh.

Maruti Ertiga: Rs 5.89-8.45 lakh

After ruling the hatchback segment for years, Maruti Suzuki finally took the plunge into the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market by launching its seven-seater Ertiga in April. The MPV has been priced between Rs 5.89 lakh and Rs 8.45 lakh, significantly lower than the Toyota Innova and the Mahindra Xylo. The Ertiga is based on the same platform as the immensely popular hatchback Swift, and is available in both petrol and diesel variants. The petrol variant is powered by a K-series 1.4-litre engine which produces 95 PS of power. The diesel engine is the same FIAT sourced 1.3-litre DDiS unit which also does duty in the SX4.

Safari Storme | Rs 9.95 lakh

India's largest vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors launched sports utility vehicle Safari Storme in October. The second-generation Safari, also known as the Tata Merlin, was unveiled at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi, and costs upwards of Rs 9.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The top-end version will set you back by Rs 13.66 lakh. The Storme is powered by a 2.2-litre DiCOR engine that produces 140 bhp of power at 4000 rpm and 320 Nm of maximum torque at 1700-2700 rpm.

Ssangyong Rexton | Rs 17.67 lakh

Home-grown auto maker Mahindra and Mahindra in October launched sports utility vehicle SUV Rexton, the first vehicle from the stable of South Korean firm SsangYong, in which it bought a controlling stake in March 2011. The Rexton is priced at Rs. 17.67 lakh. The vehicle was first unveiled at the Busan Motor Show in Korea, and is now on sale in 66 countries.

Alto 800 | Rs 2.44 lakh

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, India's largest passenger car maker, launched the much-awaited Alto 800 in October. The petrol variant has been priced at Rs 2.44 lakh and would go up to Rs 2.99 lakh, and promises a fuel efficiency of 22.74 kmpl. The CNG variant has been priced at Rs 3.19 lakh to Rs 3.56 lakh with a fuel efficiency of 30.46 km/kg.

BMW Mini: Rs 25-35 lakh

German car maker BMW launched its iconic Mini in India—which also happens to be the 100th market for the car—in April. The Mini comes in five variants—Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper Convertible, Cooper S Countryman and Cooper S Countryman High—and is priced upwards of Rs 25 lakh, pitting it against the Volkswagen Beetle. The vehicle was unveiled at the auto expo in January. Unlike the XI, the X3, and the 3 and 5 Series, which are assembled in India, the Mini is imported as a completely built-up unit.

Renault Scala: Rs 6.99-9.57 lakh

French car maker Renault launched its sedan Scala in September in both petrol and diesel variants, priced between Rs 6.99 lakh and Rs 9.57 lakh. The Scala is the fifth vehicle from the car maker's stable, after small car Pulse, premium sedan Fluence and sports utility vehicles Koleos and Duster. The Scala is powered by 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines and has five-speed manual transmission. It has 80-85 per cent local content in parts.

Audi Q3: Rs 26.71-32.10 lakh

German car maker Audi, controlled by the Volkswagen group, launched the baby SUV in June. The smaller cousin to the Q5 and Q7, the Q3 comes in two variants—both 2.0 TDI engines—at an entry price Rs 26.71 lakh. The higher version will set you back by Rs 32.10 lakh. The Q3's primary competition are the BMW X1, and it will also look to give the Toyota Fortuner, the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Chevrolet Captiva a run for their money.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II: Rs 4.5 crore

British luxury car manufacturer Rolls Royce unveiled the Phantom Series II in India in September. The Phantom will be available in four variants—the Phantom, the Phantom Extended Wheelbase, the Phantom Drophead Coupe and the Phantom Coupe, and will cost around Rs 4.5 crore. This was the very first time that a Rolls-Royce was presented in India. The Series II is powered by a hand-assembled 6.75-litre V12 engine which churns out 453 bhp at 5350 rpm. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0-96 kmph) in about 5.7 seconds.

Nissan Evalia: Rs 8.5-9.99 lakh

Japanese car maker Nissan launched its multi-purpose vehicle Evalia in September at a starting price of Rs 8.49 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. The top-end model will cost Rs 9.99 lakh. The MPV, which will be available in four variants, all diesel, will be powered by Renault's 1.5-litre K9K dCi engine, which can churn out 85 bhp of power along with maximum torque of 200 Nm. The engine is mated with a five-speed manual transmission gearbox. The vehicle will be available in seven colours—Brick Red, Aqua Green, Blade Silver, Twilight Grey, Onyx Black, Storm White and Pearl White.