The Hindu Business Line : India-bound cars from the Geneva Motor Show, 2007

New Ford Mondeo: This car is a big departure from the one that has been sold in small numbers in India. Inspired by the groundbreaking styling of the IOSIS concept car of Ford, the new Mondeo has a powerful, sleek and dynamic profile. Inside the allnew Mondeo is a revolutionary new command centre, FordConvers+. Housed in the centre of the instrument panel, the 15-cm colour display screen gives concise and clear information that makes control of navigation, entertainment and many other systems effortless. Also new is adaptive cruise control with forward alert, run flat tyres, key-free system, FordEasyFuel capless refuelling and many more ingenious driver-focussed technologies. New age safety features include a driver's knee airbag for additional protection. The ignition key has also been replaced with a power starter button. Many of these may not make it to the India-spec version

New Skoda Fabia: This will be one of the first cars to make it to the Indian market. Expected to be launched by the middle of this year, the new Skoda Fabia is likely to be the best premium hatch in the country. Yes, its mid and rear exterior profile will resemble the Suzuki Swift, but there ends the comparison. Skoda's renowned obsession with fit and finish quality and good engineering will also show on the new Fabia. It may be launched with two petrol and one diesel engine options and is likely to be priced between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 7 lakh.

New Nisssan X-TRAIL: It shares the same platform as the recently-launched Nissan Qashqai sports utility vehicle. The all-new chassis and design makes it bigger and longer. Although the new X-TRAIL has been completely restyled, the robust, strong shape, which has always been popular and well appreciated, has been retained to exude the vehicle's "X-TRAILness". This is why there is a clear family resemblance between the original and the new version. It will also be offered with four engine options - two each in petrol and diesel. The new X-TRAIL could make to India by the end of the year.

Pictures: S. Muralidhar