The stage was set for the 11th edition of the Delhi Auto Expo and Team ICB was all prepped and ready to hit the floor as soon as we landed in New Delhi. We had two days to cover the event with press conferences and launches lined-up back to back so running from one place to other dodging oncoming humans was inevitable. Still, things went out of hand when people started pouring in even on the exclusive media days. General public was allowed in during the launch events which further exposed the shoddy management.
Audi Q3 compact SUV front angleSo, among the chaos the hall which was the most crowded with hoards lining-up to enter was the one where Audi and BMW had their machines on display. At BMW, the new Mini was the biggest attraction while some petrolheads couldn’t resist the BMW M5 parked alongside either. Having said that, the alleyway leading up to the Audi stall was crammed with people on day 2 of the Auto Expo. Still, only after a bit of red tape were we allowed in, which was not expected as we had our media passes. Anyway, we finally got entry into the Audi stall.
Audi had brought everything from the Audi A3 e-tron concept to the V12 powered Q7 to the expo. The big launch of the day though was of the Audi Q3. The much awaited entry-level SUV was finally unveiled by Audi and the guests of honour were none other than bollywood actor Katrina Kaif and Lisa Ray. The new Audi Q3 will take on the BMW X1 which has been enjoying a free-run until now. Audi is among the fastest growing premium brands in the country and with the unveiling of the Q3, the car maker has taken a step further to strengthen its portfolio.
Audi A3 e-tron Concept front angle
The compact SUV with its coupe-like profile will be available with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox when it is formally launched later this year. A frugal diesel engine will go under the bonnet of the SUV and is expected to be priced at around Rs 27 lakh for the base model. The other showcar that Audi brought to the expo was the A3 e-tron concept. The A3 e-tron concept is based on the A3 sedan which will be coming to India. The e-tron uses a 1.4 liter engine coupled with a 20 kW electric motor.
Audi S6 Sports saloon front view
Next-up was the Audi S6 sport sedan which is basically a pumped-up A6 with a mighty V8 under the hood. The 4.0 liter TFSI petrol V8 pumps out 420 horsepower and over 400 torques. The super-fast saloon features cylinder deactivation technology which allows the engine to run on just four-cylinder when need be. This saves precious drops of fuel leading to a better fuel economy and lower emissions.
Audi A8 L W12 limousine rear view
Alongside the S6 was Audi’s new high-performance luxury limousine. The Audi A8 L W12 was also among the attractions. The A8 L with its humongous 12-cylinder engine that churns out 500 horsepower enough to keep the uber-luxurious, leather clad home-office on wheels with a mini bar shoved in the boot moving. The Audi A8 L, the new one was launched in India last year and is a the breed of premium limousines that Audi makes.
Audi R8 V10 Spyder rear view
Audi’s flagship sports car the R8 V10 Spyder though could hide itself from the prying eyes of the public at any point in time. The R8 V10 Spyder dressed in red probably had a tough time with people relentlessly oggling over its curves. As prospective customers were allowed in to have a look at the interior of the sports car, others had to take in the beauty from a distance. The R8 V10 is the latest in Audi’s line-up of R8 supercars. The V10 engine bolted to the car’s aluminium frame puts out 525 bhp of maximum power and with the roof down, the noise emanating from the 5.2 litre engine is nothing short of music.
Audi Q7 V12 TDI SUV rear
Finally, towards the exit of the Audi stand was a brown Q7 with a rather huge engine. The unconventional engine under the bonnet of the Q7 was the V12 TDI diesel motor churns out 500 bhp which is actually essential to move the 2.5 tonne behemoth. Even with its huge bulk, the Q7 V12 TDI can go from 0-100 kph in just 5.5 seconds. It’s not just the speed and the power that’s impressive, the V12 TDI can do 21 mpg or close to 9 kpl!
Audi A7 Sportback rear view
Oh and before I conclude, let me feed you in with one more car that grabbed the attention of showgoers. The new Audi A7 Qauttro with its extremely elegant shape was a hit with the ladies. The Audi A7 too made its debut in India last year and has been accepted by the customers as a premium sedan with a hint of style and attitude. The A7 is available with four different engine options with the range-topping 3.9 litre FSI being priced at Rs 85 lakh ex-showroom. That said, prices of the A7 start at just Rs 64 lakh for the base diesel variant and for the style and practicality it offers, the A7 is the one you must try out.
0 comments:
Post a Comment