The Hindu Business Line : The hot spots

THE two most exciting stalls at the 8th Auto Expo were that of the Audi and Honda. Both had snazzy, hi-tech cars that were technology showcases, and also promising new cars that are likely to hit Indian roads later this year.

Audi took the opportunity to launch its new A4 sedan. Company officials announced that this compact, luxury sedan, priced close to the Mercedes Benz C-class, will offer more features than peers in the segment.

The Audi A6 and A8 were also on display which, along with the TT Coupe, are already available in India. Though the A4 was unveiled for the first time at the Expo, the model that stole the limelight was the Q7.

Like many other luxury car manufacturers in Europe which have only recently forayed into the sports utility segment, the Q7 will also mark Audi's entry into this fast growing segment. The Q7, which is to be launched in Europe later this year, will be a unique full-sized SUV with super luxury features that customers have come to expect of Audi, and will also be equipped with Audi's own Quattro — permanent four-wheel drive — system.

Also showcased was the Skoda with its own crossover style sport utility vehicle, the Yeti, which, when launched, will mark this company's foray into the segment. The Yeti is now in the concept stage and has already won international acclaim for its design and features.

The Skoda stall also had on display the Fabia, Skoda's smallest sedan, which could make it here later this year. The Fabia is available in other markets in the hatchback and `combi' formats.

Eye on the Civic

The other manufacturer that had an exciting line-up of cars was Honda Siel Cars India. Predictably, the new Civic at Honda stall grabbed the maximum attention.

The new Civic, which will be launched later this year, is expected to set a new benchmark in the Rs 11-lakh plus price segment. This entry-level luxury car will feature the same unique interiors and aerodynamic exterior design that has won it awards in some of the most competitive markets of the world. The Civic will help Honda to bridge the gap between its smallest sedan — the City — and its luxury sedan — the Accord.

Futuristic cars: Honda had also put up two of its hi-tech futuristic cars that have grown out of concept stage and are being manufactured and sold in the commercial passenger car market.

The Insight hybrid — Honda's first exclusively hybrid-powered passenger car — was there, gleaming in metallic green body armour. The Insight is a gasoline hybrid and features Honda's own technology for coordinating motive power from a petrol engine and electric motors. The other technology showcase, the Honda FCX, the first fuel cell car to be commercially tested, has hit the road in many part of the US.

The FCX, which was first introduced in 2002 by Honda, uses electrici power, generated by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, as fuel. The car's exhaust emits only water vapour.

The other cars at the Honda stall were the company's Formula One race-car and its current portfolio for the Indian market — the CR-V, Accord and the City.

S. Muralidhar