Top-end brands to debut in India

This year will be a blockbuster for car lovers across the country as top-end brands such as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lexus, Aston Martin and Maserati might finally make their debut in India.

A few domestic and international carmakers are waiting to unleash a few surprises. Auto firms such as, Fiat, Volvo, Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, Tata Motors, Honda Siel and Mitsubishi Motors are all in queue to show their gleaming beauties.

The first to make the move is Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI). The company is planning to launch three new models back-to-back, including the eighth generation Accord, Civic and a new version of City.

The new 2.4 litre Accord will be peppier and a tad more expensive than the discontinued version. Even the half-electric-half-gasoline Civic hybrid, which will be imported as a CBU, will not come cheap. Be prepared to shell out around Rs 20 lakh for it.

Ferrari's range of cars for the Indian market will be the V8-powered F430 as well as a few of the company's 12-cylinder cars as well. These include the awe-inspiring new 620 bhp 599 GTB, which is at present the fastest 12-cylinder car in the world.

Fiat India is roping in its luxury brand Alfa Romeo to polish its image in the country and to spruce up things here.

To add a dash of prestige to this high-octane cocktail-Lexus, Aston Martin and Maserati are also expected to shake things up soon.

Maruti Suzuki is going to launch the A-Star in October this year. It is expected to come in between the Swift and the Alto.