Of German resurrections and more
Afew years back it was Mercedes-Benz that resurrected itself with a quick-fire series of new launches with fresh attractive products to help turn the fortunes of the Stuttgart-based premium car maker. It’s now the turn of another German company to do the same. BMW is poised not only to launch new generation models of its already existing cars but also push the envelope even further with an unprecedented range of never before seen models and like in its heyday, also open up many new segments and niches.
The process is already underway as we drive two new generation cars in the X3 and the M5 this month besides the all new 6GT. However, in our cover story this month we also provide an insight into the upcoming models from the Bavarian company, including exclusive images of the next generation 3-series and the 2-series sedan. We also have spy pictures of the new X7 SUV that will sit at the top of the BMW X-range. And in the coverage of the Geneva International Motor Show, we have the fore-runner of the 8-series.
The Swift was expected to give tough competition to the premium hatchbacks and that it certainly does, besting the competition on many parameters but what could be even more troubling is how the car will slot in amongst the Marutis. More so, whether the car buying public will take to its looks more than they did to the Baleno’s. But that’s a question for another day. In this issue’s road test, we pit the Swift against the face-lifted Hyundai i20 and the great family car in the Honda Jazz.
This issue has an overload of motorcycles and exciting ones at that too as we ride the Yamaha R15 and also feature two of the TVS Apache range with the first ride of the RTR160 and the long term introduction of the RR310.
With the year just having got underway we have a whole lot of exciting new cars and bikes coming up—on last count nearly a hundred of them! So stay tuned, more importantly ride and drive safe and stay connected with AUTO TODAY.
Yogendra Pratap Editor yogendra.pratap@intoday.com @YogenPratap