Zooming into 2017

These are the vehicles that make news each time they shed a bit of camouflage. Mere rumours of their existence accelerate competitors’ product cycles.

The wait to drive them—one, two, sometimes even three years—is rewarded with hoped-for revelations in advanced technology, structural integrity, mass reduction, fuel economy, features, and acceleration. Fun, too. This year we are counting down most worth waiting cars 2017 has to offer.

Maruti Swift
This one roughly translates to the Indian version of people’s car, for Maruti Suzuki to India is what Volkswagen is to Germany. One may argue over the “premium-ness” attached to this and distinguish over the hot-seller Alto 800.

Well, we will stick to what we said, as we believe that the purchasing power parity has grown for modern India, and Swift makes way for the grand entrant. The 2017 generation will roll-out amidst drumbeats, for this one is indeed an upgrade both aesthetically and from the heart.

The Jaguar F-type-ish nose, revised pillars, a much bolder stance, and the best of Baleno incorporated in this 2017 Swift, will sure make a beeline of customers similar to the ones outside ATMs now. What might in all probability follow will be something to Dzire.

---

Every forthcoming car is an unrealised promise, a potential, but many a times none emerges wholly from the ether. Clean sheets of paper are found in printers not car companies, whose planners juggle plants, partnerships, powertrains, and platforms to feed sales channels. So, when something reaches off the page and slaps you in the face, when a just-launched online configurator has you rushing to check your bank balance—that’s amazing. We are here to celebrate that

---

Hyundai Verna
When Hyundai debuted its Verna last decade, it wasn’t all that compelling. The design was mediocre, and features an inch taller. Verna could never overpower the Jewel of Machines- Honda City. But what changed the whole reputation of the brand was the fluidic design.

What followed was a slew of some amazing vehicles, and consistent winning at beauty pageants. Even here Verna was first with a bold transformation, more on the lines of how Parineeti Chopra looks now- every bit desirable.

The 2017 version isn’t all that different either, and Hyundai played a strategic bid by launching the elder sibling- Elantra first. Verna and Elantra are almost twins, with one staying more elusive, the “Seetas” and “Geetas”, indeed.

Honourable mentions Volkswagen Polo GTI, Maruti Ignis, Baleno RS, Nissan X-trail Hybrid, Jeep Compass, Pajero Sport.

Tata Hexa
If the last offings from Tata have taught us anything, it is that off late it has gotten highly underrated. The list begins with some cars that moved away from the mundane and a movement which began with Zest, Bolt and the zippy Tiago.

The next big gun is Hexa, which will replace the carmaker's previous premium 7-seater - the Aria, in the Indian car market. It will be the carmaker's flagship.

In terms of design and styling, the Tata Hexa is much more than just a new crossover, the styling is beefier, modern and upmarket with an abundance of chrome and gloss thrown in.

In addition to that the Hexa offers a host of exterior features like - projector headlamps, LED DRLs, accentuated wheel arches with black body cladding, 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, LED tail lamps and dual exhausts.

Audi Q2
This comes as a respite to a country obsessed with fuel efficiency and compact size. Audi until now did not have a product that ticked all the snake charming boxes, the ones that Mercedes, Volvo and even BMW has quite a smear on.

Audi still doesn’t have a hot hatch, but Q2 is the closest it can get. Fortunately though, you don’t have any chance to nitpick, for the baby SUV from the stables of German monarch Audi is quite a looker.

And can create those intriguing visceral desires the best of Audi always created. All these at a price tag of less than 30 lakh. Now, that’s intimidating.

Skoda Kodiaq
Named after the Kodiak bear found in Kodiak archipelago in south-west Alaska, Skoda Kodiaq is going to be the first seven-seat model from the stables of Czech auto giant wherein the third row seats are optional. The SUV is built on Volkswagen’s versatile MQB platform that also underpins Octavia and Superb sedans.

Under the hood Skoda it offers three engines with five outputs. The SUV is quite rich in terms of technical aides and packs in plethora of equipment including Skoda Connect Touchscreen Infotainment system with Google Earth, WiFi, Apple CarPlay, 360-degree cameras, emergency systems among several others.