Car Zone

With the Auto Expo 2008 starting next week, Rachna Tyagi gets you a sneak peek of what to expect at the mega car show this year.

MUMBAI: From the Rs 1 lakh Tata car to the Hummer H3, everything's going to be on display at the Auto Expo 2008 at Pragati Maidan Delhi, next week. From new upcoming models to concept cars, Auto Expo 2008 promises to be a haven for all car lovers. So, if you don't want to miss out big time, may we recommend the morning flight to Delhi and perhaps a red eye flight to bring you back, just so that Mumbaikars can also get to devour a slice of the seven day action?

Skoda Fabia:
Skoda's much awaited Fabia is finally going to be making its debut at the show. No, folks, this time its for real. Expected to cost around Rs 6.5 Lakh, this hatchback is expected to deliver what it promises in terms of quality and engineering. Touted as one of the finest cars in terms of interiors along with a hatch that offers plenty of leg room for rear seat passengers as well as oodles of luggage space, the Skoda Fabia sure seems like it has another winner on its hands.

Hummer H3:
GM's stall sure is bound to attract a large number of visitors on account of the H3 that is going to be on display there. Introduced in 2006, the H3 is the smallest of the three Hummer models and although GM may be toying with the idea of getting the H3 here, there are already a couple of them in the city that look devastatingly macho. With a 3.7 litre, straight 5 engine, this 5 speed manual or 4speed automatic transmission with Stabilitrak and a 216mm ground clearance is all set to decimate competition from all quarters.

Hyundai Veloster:
Hyundai's cute concept car Veloster which was first displayed at the Seoul Motor show will now be on display at Pragati Maidan. With an intention to make something stylish that was radically different especially for the Y generation, especially the first-time twenties buyer, Hyundai came up with the Veloster coupe. If this funky car with its bold new design will be on display in any of Hyundai's legendary rich colours, expect security to be majorly beefed up at the Hyundai stall.   

Volkswagen Up!
After launching the Passat and plans on to bring in the Jetta as well, Volkswagen's concept car Up! is what's going to be on display at the Auto Expo 2008. Up! which is basically a city car for four persons and four seasons is not something, VW claims, that is going to become outdated soon, on the contrary, Up! promises to have an extremely futuristic design and is considered by many to be a hallmark in terms of form and function.

Tata:
The much talked about Tata Car which the world has set its eyes on has been given special security protection enough to put security at Guantanamo Bay to shame. Rumour has it that nobody can be caught dead within miles of where the car has been readied and kept before its debut at the Auto Expo 2008. If this small car promises to be everything that Tata engineers have claimed it to be so far, Tata Motors may well be on their way to change the face of motoring forever and go down the annals of history for having given people a car within $2000, which is nothing short of groundbreaking.

Audi A4:
Audi A4 will debut in its all new avatar at the 9th Auto Expo 2008. This beauty which will now have sportier proportions, besides offering exceptional ride and dynamic handling will also come with a host of new features continuing the tradition of the legendary German carmaker. Really big on space, the Audi A4 also promises to be quite a headturner.