Auto Expo 2016: Mini SUVs rule the roost

The Auto Expo this time around has had a considerable number of car makers presenting sub 4-meter SUV concepts. The Mini SUV segment has come up in a big way over the last few years and therefore has been a priority for many of them. Here’s a look at some of them.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

The Ignis concept was revealed by Maruti on the second day of the show. According to the company the Ignis is a compact urban concept vehicle built on a new-generation platform. Design has been a core area of focus with the Ignis, with Maruti calling it bold and unconventional. The Ignis also has a high ground clearance something that’s a must for a SUV. The car will hit the roads in the festive season this year.

Hyundai HND-14 ‘Carlino’

Country’s second largest car maker Hyundai also upped the ante by showing a futuristic sub 4-meter concept, the Carlino. After a long time, we’ve seen a vehicle from the Korean car maker that doesn’t follow the famed fluidic design philosophy that has got Hyundai a lot of success in India. The HND says Hyundai will offer segment best features like navigation and will also be big on safety. Most likely it will be built on the i20 platform but is unlikely to hit the roads this year.

Tata Nexon

Tata Motors presented a big line-up of new products at the Expo but one that got maximum attention was the Nexon which is actually a production ready model. The Nexon looks like a great compact urban SUV and lot of design cues will remind you of the company sub-brand Range Rover. Built on the company’s new Impact design theme, the Nexon will be launched in both Petrol and Diesel engine options.

Maruti Vitara Brezza

The Vitara Brezza is all set to hit the roads soon. The mini SUV will initially be available only in a Diesel avatar but Maruti says it will also launch a Diesel version soon. the top trim of the car will come with smart apple car play system seen in the Baleno along with navigation, rear parking camera, rains sensing wipers as well as cruise control. Driver airbag will come as standard across all variants whereas front passenger airbag and ABS with EBD will come as an option.