Meet the game-changers of 2016 that ruled the roads

The world of automobiles is never short of action. Almost one new car was launched every week this year making 2016 one of the busiest years for Indian auto segment. It began with the Auto Expo where almost all auto makers present in India showcased their latest products and technologies. This was followed by a slew of launches throughout the year. Some of these were iconic cars; many were segment creators while a few failed to impress the buyer. Out of that long list here’s our pick of the top 5 cars that hit our roads this year. India’s largest carmaker got into the compact SUV segment with the Vitara Brezza in 2016. The Brezza struck an instant chord with the Indian car buyer who wanted an affordable car which looked muscular and came from a reliable auto maker. It ticked all the boxes. The proportions were well balanced; the highlight was the signature ‘Bull Horn’ LEDs with turn indicators that looked distinct. Automatic headlamps, big tyres and square wheel arches added to the muscular look. Some other noteworthy features on the car included rain sensing wipers, auto headlight, air-cooled upper box, and card holder in glove box. The engine was the acclaimed 1.3 litre 90 PS diesel mill that has been a proven workhorse on cars like the Swift and the Dzire. Maruti promised an impressive mileage of 24.3 km per litre, the highest in SUV category. This was a car that had proved its mettle around the world. It’s sold in more than 160 countries that practically means the entire globe. Before it came to India, it had already sold 4.5 million units worldwide. India missed out on the second generation but the third generation was launched during the festive season and became an instant hit. Hyundai slotted the Tucson comfortably between its other popular SUVs, the Creta and the Sante Fe starting at Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) while the top Diesel GLS variant was priced at Rs 25 lakhs. It had both Petrol and Diesel options and both come in manual as well as automatic. Both were 2.0 liter mills but the Diesel was a lot more powerful at unmistakably Mustang. Key design elements were retained which included the long sculpted bonnet and short rear deck. A lower, wider stance with a reduced roof height works well for the car. And finally, the throaty 5.0-litre V8 engine, featuring an upgraded valve train and cylinder heads, delivering a ex-showroom, New Delhi and Bollywood star John Abraham became the first GT-R owner in the country. German car maker BMW launched the new generation of its flagship sedan the 7 series at the Auto Expo and the car just took luxury to a whole new level. The car forced rivals like the Audi A8 and Mercedes S class sit up and take notice as the Bavarian giant went beyond the sporty BMW DNA to set new benchmarks when it came to luxury. The Nappa leather seats were

as luxurious as it can get and wood on the dash gave that premium feel. BMW came up with gesture control that enabled the occupants to control various functions merely by using hand signals. These included answering or rejecting phone calls and changing stations merely by swiping or waving your hand. In addition to an eight-program massage function with three intensity levels the footrest came out behind the front seat along with a tray table from the rear armrest and the rear seat reclined by around 45 degrees after which you almost forget you’re sitting inside a car and instead are spending some quality time in a business class seat of a luxury airline. Shams Naqvi is an anchor/producer for the News X motor show Living Cars