Top 10 Best Cars At Auto Expo 2018 - Launches, Unveils And Concepts

Perhaps the most anticipated car for the Expo, the new Maruti Swift has been launched at a price of Rs 4.99 lakh ex-showroom (Delhi). The new Maruti Swift features a bold new design similar to new Dzire with a sporty front design and smaller headlamps with DRLs, a floating roof and new tail lights. The new Maruti Swift comes in six colour options and 12 different variants.

The new Maruti Swift is nearly 90 kilos lighter than its predecessor which has resulted in better mileage despite featuring the same 1.2-petrol and 1.3-litre diesel. Bot engines are mated with either a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox.

Maruti Future S Concept

The Maruti Future S Concept previews the carmaker's upcoming small SUV that will slot underneath the Vitara Brezza. The Concept Future S was the first car to be revealed at Auto Expo 2018 and Maruti claims it incorporates SUV features in compact dimensions without disturbing the proportions of the vehicle.

The Maruti Future S Concept features a rather unique but unmistakable SUV design with a bright orange paint job and white highlights along with a near straight windshield up front. While there are no details about when Future S concept could go on sale, Maruti is expected to fast track production as it looks to combat the popularity of the Renault Kwid.

Honda Amaze

The new second-gen Honda Amaze features a bolder design that makes it look something of a smaller Honda City, especially from the front where the angular headlights flank the chrome grille. The rear end is dominated by C-Shaped tail lights.

The new Amaze retains the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines though the latter is expected to get a slight bump up in power. The new Amaze also gets larger tyres and Honda claims that the interior is larger as well. The new Honda Amaze is expected to launch in the coming months and will rival the new Maruti Dzire.

Tata H5X Concept SUV

Tata Motors revealed a set of two concepts demonstrating its new Impact Design 2.0 design language. The H5X SUV is the larger of the two concepts, and looks bold and rather imposing as well.

The H5X concept is based on Tata's new Omega platform which is derived from LR chassis of its British subsidiary Land Rover and will be Tata's flagship vehicle when it arrives. The production-spec H5X has been spotted numerous times undergoing testing and could arrive by the end of the year.

Tata 45X Concept Hatchback

Tata's second car based on its new Impact Design 2.0 design language, the Tata 45X previews the Indian carmaker's new premium hatchback that will take on the likes of the Maruti Baleno, the new Hyundai i20 and the Volkswagen Polo.

Like the H5X SUV concept, the 45X features a stunning design that grabs eyeballs wherever it goes. This can be seen up front with the newest iteration of Tata's humanity line joining the headlamps with each other. Another cool view is from the rear, where the raked windshield and the wacky roof-mounted spoiler really grab your attention.

Mahindra TUV Stinger Concept

Mahindra continued its streak of releasing eye-catching concepts at the auto expo for the third time in a row with the TUV Stinger, a convertible SUV concept based on the TUV300.

The TUV Stinger concept can easily seat four people and is powered by an engine from Mahindra's mHawk diesel lineup that produces 140bhp and 320Nm of torque. The TUV Stinger offers the best of both SUV and convertible genres and Mahindra has stated that if there is enough demand for the vehicle it will be put into production.

Hyundai Elite i20 Facelift

Hyundai has launched the facelifted version of its premium hatchback the Elite i20 for Rs 5.34 lakh ex-showroom (Delhi). The facelifted model gets revised projector headlights with DRLs along with new dual-tone rear bumpers and two-piece wraparound tail lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The new Hyundai Elite i20 has ditched the 1.4-litre petrol engine and is now only available with a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.4-litre diesel, the former of which also comes with an automatic gearbox. One place Hyundai has not made any compromises is safety with every variant getting two airbags and ABS as standard.

Kia SP Concept

South Korean carmaker Kia made its debut in India at Auto Expo 2018. To show its seriousness about the Indian market Kia revealed the SP Concept SUV at the show.

The Kia SP concept may look a bit to square compared to other cars bearing the Kia badge. However, Kia's distinctive ‘tiger-nose' grille is there for everyone to see. While it may look futuristic from the front with its array of LEDs, the rear looks far more like a conventional SUV.

Kia will enter India in 2019 and an SUV based on the SP concept will go on sale in India and rival the Creta SUV from Kia's parent company Hyundai.

Toyota Yaris

Toyota has entered the B segment in India (executive sedans) for the first time with the Yaris sedan. The new Yaris will compete with the likes of the Honda City and the Maruti Ciaz.

The Yaris is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol with dual VVT-i that produces 107bhp and 140Nm of torque and is mated either a manual or a CVT automatic gearbox. While it may not have a diesel option, Toyota's reliability and after sales support could easily draw customers away from the City and Ciaz to the new Yaris.

Mercedes-Maybach S650

The Mercedes S-Class is perhaps the most luxurious limo south of the price tag of a Rolls-Royce Phantom and easily surpasses the British car in terms of tech on board. However, the Mercedes-Maybach S650 takes the luxury ideals of the S-Class to a whole new level and is priced at Rs 2.73 crore.

The Mercedes-Maybach S650 is Powered by 6.0-litre V12 twin-turbo engine that is compliant with BS-VI emission norms. The V12 engine cranks out 621bhp and 1,000Nm of torque. The Mercedes-Maybach S650 also gets radar-based driving aids and Magic Body Control that smooths out the ride by detecting bumps and ditches on the road before it goes over them to give those in the back a silky smooth ride.

Honourable Mentions

Auto Expo saw a host of other new cars and concepts arrive on Indian shores including the new BMW 6 Series GT that was launched by Sachin Tendulkar himself along with the three new M cars - the M3, M4 & M5. Mahindra also revealed its upcoming flagship which will be a rebadged Rexton from its Korean subsidiary Ssangyong. Renault showcased the breathtaking Trezor concept and Kia showed off its entire range of cars including the Stinger GT sports sedan.

DriveSpark's Thoughts On The Best Cars From Auto Expo 2018

Auto Expo 2018 saw a host of new cars arrive in India for the first time and whether it was a production car or a crazy concept, there are a host of cars for you to explore if you decide to go experience Auto Expo for yourself. We would like to hear from you if you agree with this list or even if you don't. Comment below about the car that you think was the best one on the show floor at Auto Expo 2018.