If it is the compact car segment that is gleaming its way through the 11th Auto Expo, it is the SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) and MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles) that are painting the town red with their flair. With a slew of launches from the Industry honchos, the race for the utility vehicles segment is expected to get hotter in the years to come. Maruti's first Multi Utility Vehicle (MPV), Ertiga is expected to be the most awaited MPVs on road this year. With a belligerent pricing at around 5.7 lakhs for the petrol and 8 lakhs for diesel, the sleek automobile is grabbing the headlines with its all-embracing features. Although sharing its look with its cousin Ritz, the seven-seater looks well balanced in terms of style and power. Toyota's Innova, which has already tasted success on the Indian shores, gets a facelift with innovative features to enhance the finest appeal.
The new Innova will be devoid of the almond lights and duly replaced by rectangular shaped headlights. It would not be wrong to mention that the new Innova derives much of its inspirational looks from the Camry. Also on the lines of the facelift is Chevrolet's Tavera, Neo 3 with new powerful TCDi engine apart from the range of other exciting features. Japanese Auto Manufacturer Nissan has unveiled a new 7 seater Evalia which is supposed to be manufactured in partnership with Ashok Leyland. Also on the cards is eight-seater concept car Hyundai Hexa Space HND-7. With majority of the foreign players slashing prices this year, it's the Indian Manufacturers who will face some serious contest against the hyped European car makers. As for the consumers, it's the smile and satisfaction that they carry with the array of products to choose from. The horde of launches in these two segments (SUVs and MPVs) is sure to make wakes in the Indian Market with its varied options and its unique features from zealous manufacturers. It also highlights the evolution of the India's automobile industry with smooth movement from compact car segments to a new segment of vehicles.
The lines of the new bumper match those of the radiator grille. In the space below the bumper, designed in black, there is another air inlet and the fog lights that are worked into the outer areas as well as a chrome surround around the inlet screen. The fog lights also assume the new function of static turning lights being introduced on this model. This much is certain: the new front end design and distinctive headlights give the Volkswagen Golf Plus a significantly more dynamic and high-end appearance. In the rear, designers have restyled the bumper. The results: a plus in dynamics and precision. The bumper is now completely painted in car color. The only exception is the lower area, where there is a high-gloss black segment in the center giving the visual effect of a diffuser. High-visibility reflectors were also integrated in the lower section of the bumper. The taillights with their LED technology were styled in a new dark red ("Cherry red"). The side profile of the Volkswagen Golf Plus has remained largely unchanged. However, new roof rails were integrated more harmoniously into the car's overall line.
Compared to its predecessor, this car is lower in profile, more refined, and it is painted silver starting with the Highline (Trendline and Comfortline: black). In its side profile, the new wheel designs are also conspicuous. Even the base version gets new full wheel covers. In the upscale direction, the lineup of wheel-tire combinations is rounded out by the new 18-inch "Bilbao" alloy wheel design from Volkswagen Individual. The Volkswagen Golf Plus, always offered as a four-door with a large hatch is one of the most variable and practical vehicles of its class. The instruments now have the same look as those in the new Golf, Passat and Passat CC. Dominant here are the two round instruments in brushed chrome surrounds that are even supplied in the base equipment version. Instrument scaling is backlit in white (regardless of whether the headlights are on or off); pointer gauges are designed in red.
