The Hero HX250R has to be the most exciting new product from Hero in the recent past. This lightweight and powerful quarter-litre motorcycle has been jointly developed by Hero Motocorp, America’s Eric Buell Racing (EBR), AVL (Austria) and Engines Engineering.

On the design front, the Hero HX250R is quite a stunner with twin-headlights, large windscreen and under seat exhaust. Adding to the look is a geodesic tubular chassis and a beautiful trellis shaped swingarm.

The new Hero HX250R will be the most powerful bike from the company’s stable, packed with a 249cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, which will churn out 31PS of peak power and will have a torque rating of 26Nm.

This will also be the first Hero motorcycle offering to sport a six-speed transmission. Tipping the scale at just 139kg, the Hero HX250R has an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 223PS/ton. This Hero offering produces 6PS more than the Honda CBR250R and weighs 28kg less than the Japanese bike.

The Piaggio Liberty showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo created quite a stir and now the Italian manufacturer is reportedly planning to launch it in India.

Powering the scooter will be the same 125cc engine that is seen on the standard Vespa but it will lose the 3-valve technology to cut cost and will be tuned to deliver better fuel efficiency.

The Liberty is a step-through, very popular in South East Asian markets, but not very successful in India, the few times any manufacturer has tried launching any, like the Hero Streak. What the Liberty will hope to achieve is some interest with its utilitarian image and fuel efficiency.

Highlights of the Piaggio Liberty will be the 14-inch wheels compared to 10-inch wheels found on most other scooters on sale in India, electronic immobiliser and disc brakes. 

The ageing Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTS-i is expected to be replaced by the much-awaited naked Pulsar 150 NS in June 2015. The next generation Bajaj Pulsar 150 has been spotted testing for more than a year and more recently, it has been showcased at trade fairs abroad.

The bestselling Pulsar 150 hasn’t seen an upgrade in over almost four years while competition has raised its head in the form of upgraded variants and even brand new models from manufacturers such as Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda. With the new Pulsar 150 NS Bajaj Auto will hope to once again set the sales charts on fire.

Looks and Styling

The 150 NS will take design cues from the 200 NS, but essentially it will be a Pulsar AS 150 without the quarter fairing. The new 150 NS will be based on the same perimeter frame as the Pulsar AS 150 and will also sport a nitrox monoshock at the rear, like the AS 150. The brute streetbike styling should enable it to standout among its rivals and also appeal to the youngsters.

Switch gear and the part-analogue-part-digital instrument console have been carried forward from its 200cc sibling. The Bajaj Pulsar 150NS has a slimmer tail section; missing tyre hugger and skinny rear tyre are the visual differences between the two Pulsar offerings.

Wheels will be the same 17-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels as on the AS 150, shod with 80/100 R17 rubber at the front and 100/90-17 at the rear.  Braking will be handled by a smaller petal disc at the front than the 200NS and a drum at the rear. An optional disc may be offered at the rear as well. It will get both electric start and kick start as starting options. 

Engine and Gearbox

The Pulsar 150 NS will be powered by the same unit as the AS 150’s – a twin spark, air-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke engine which is more powerful and efficient than the existing Pulsar 150’s.

The engine will make 17PS of power at 9500rpm and a peak torque of 13Nm at 7500rpm, that’s a jump of 2PS power and 0.5Nm of torque than its predecessor. The new engine also gets four valves and will be mated to a five-speed gearbox .  

Price and competition

The Pulsar 150 NS is likely to be priced around Rs 73,000 and will compete against the likes of the Suzuki Gixxer, Yamaha FZ-S FI V2.0 and the Honda CB Unicorn 160.

 Tata Kite Sedan

The Tata Kite sub-compact sedan is expected to arrive in India after the hatchback with the same name. The new Tata car will sport an all-new design, unlike the Zest sedan - which is a clearly redesigned version of the Manza.

In terms of engines, the upcoming Tata Kite sedan will get a 1.05-litre diesel engine and the 1.2-litre petrol unit aka the Revotron. Interestingly, the diesel engine is a re-engineered version of the 1.4-litre DiCOR motor; apparently it will develop about 70bhp. The Revotron, on the other hand, currently puts out 90bhp.

As far as transmission options go, the sedan's options will include a 5-speed manual and an optional automated manual transmission (AMT).

Ford Figo Aspire

Despite the competition posed by products from companies like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda and Tata,Ford is convinced the Figo Aspire has the 'young appeal' that no other product in the segment offers.

The Ford Figo Aspire will be offered with 2 engine options - a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel and a 1.2-litre TiVCT petrol. While the diesel unit is the same as the one that also powers the EcoSport and Fiesta, the 1.2-litre petrol unit is all-new. Ford's upcoming sub-compact sedan will also get a choice of 2 transmissions: - a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed dual clutch automatic. However, the automatic transmission will only be offered with the petrol model.

It is expected to go into by mid-2015 soon followed by its launch in India.

 Volkswagen Polo-based Sedan

The German carmaker's much-awaited sub-compact sedan - New Compact Sedan (NCS) - will be fully manufactured here at Volkswagen's Chakan plant. It will be based on the Polo and will essentially be the Polo sedan that sits under 4-meters in length.

Though the NCS will compete with the likes of Honda Amaze and Maruti Swift Dzire, expect it to be slightly larger. Also, VW will create a separation between the NCS and the Vento sedan, with the former being priced closer to the Polo.

Reports claim the upcoming Polo-based sedan will get 2 engine options: a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.6-litre diesel. Both motors will develop 105bhp, and 158Nm and 255Nm of maximum torque, respectively.

 Chevrolet Beat-Based Sedan

Given the pace at which the sub-compact sedan segment in India is growing, it comes as no surprise Chevrolet India is also readying its own entrant. Codenamed MCM, this Beat-based sedan will be underpinned by the new-generation Beat's M300 platform. It will receive significant changes, especially at the front fascia which will allow the new compact sedan to look more aggressive than the Beat.

Chevrolet is likely to offer it with a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel engine. While the petrol motor will deliver 82bhp with 108Nm, the diesel promises 74bhp and 190Nm. In will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox.

One must know, it is being said that GM might position this sub-four meter sedan below the new Sail.

Expected Price: Rs. 4.5 lakh - Rs. 6.5 lakh

Ford Figo Sedan

Unveiled as a concept in February 2014, the Ford Figo sedan's production version was recently launched in the Brazilian market as KA+ sedan in the second half of 2014. The Brazilian version of the sedan measures over 4 metres in length, though the India-bound model will be sub-4 metre in length. The sub-compact sedan is expected to be offered with two engine options - a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel.

The production model of the car looks almost similar to the concept showcased in India, save for some practical changes made to the head-lamps. With a lighter, high tensile strength steel platform, the sub-compact sedan sedan will deliver high fuel efficiency and a good performance.

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs. 5 lakh - Rs. 7.50 lakh

Engine options: 1.5-litre diesel (90bhp), 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol (123bhp)

Renault 800cc Hatchback

While in the first half of 2015, Renault will launch its MPV - the Lodgy - in India, the much-awaited 800cc hatchback (Codenamed XBA) will come in the second half of the year. The company is working on a new 800cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine that will power its upcoming small cars. The small hatchback will be built on the CMF-A platform that has been jointly developed by Renault and Nissan. Upon its launch, the Renault XBA will take on the likes of Maruti Alto 800 and Hyundai Eon.

Expected Launch: Third or Fourth Quarter of 2015

Expected Price: Rs. 3 lakh - Rs. 4 lakh

Engine: 800cc, 3-cylinder, petrol

Mahindra's Sub-Compact SUV

The home-grown automaker, Mahindra & Mahindra, is currently working on a range of new products for India which includes three compact SUVs and an MPV. The one we are talking about is the mini SUV - S101 (codename) - that will take on the Ford EcoSport and other upcoming sub-compact SUVs. The S101 will be built upon a new monocoque platform which will also be used for the more premium S102 compact SUV albeit. Since it will be an entry-level SUV, the S101 will be a sub-4 metre vehicle. Powering the vehicle could be the same 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine that does duty to the Quanto.

Expected Launch: First half of 2015

Expected Price: Rs. 4 lakh - Rs. 6 lakh

Engine option: 1.5-litre diesel (100bhp)

Hyundai ix25 Compact SUV

Hyundai recently unveiled the production-ready version of the ix25 at the 2014 2014 Guangzhou Auto Show, China. Expected to be launched in the Indian market in 2015, the company has already started testing the vehicle here. The vehicle will compete against the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Ford EcoSport here.

Taking its design cues from the Santa Fe, the ix25 is based on the company's evolved 'Fluidic Sculpture 2.0' design philosophy. Measuring 4270mm in length, 1780mm in width, 1630mm in height, the car is slightly smaller than the Duster. That said, the 2590mm of wheelbase ensures a spacious cabin for five passengers.

The engine options to be offered with the ix25 are likely to be a 1.4-litre VTVT and a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel, which also power the Hyundai Verna.

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs. 7.50 lakh - Rs. 9.50 lakh

Engine options: 1.4-litre VTVT petrol (89bhp); 1.6-litre CRDi (126bhp)

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Diesel

Maruti Suzuki that launched the Celerio in February 2014 is now working on the diesel-engined model of the small hatch. Since the company has already started testing the vehicle in India, we expect it to be introduced in the first half of 2015.Powering the vehicle will be an all new 800cc diesel engine on which the company has been working on for quite sometime now. The similar engine will also power other small hatchbacks and an upcoming LCV. Though exact details on the small engine are not out yet, it is likely to offfer as high as 35Km/l of fuel efficiency. With such a high mileage figure, the Celerio diesel will become the country's most fuel-efficient vehicle. That said, the power output will be as low as 50-55bhp.

Expected Launch: First half of 2015

Expected Price: Rs. 4 lakh

Engine option: 800cc diesel

New Honda Jazz

There is no denying that the premium hatchback segment is one of the most competitive ones in the Indian market, thanks to some really capable products like Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo etc. In the year 2015, we'll also have the new-gen Honda Jazz in the growing segment. The car failed to attract many buyers in its first innings for two primary reasons - high price tag and unavailability of diesel engine. In its new avatar, the car will have a highly fuel-efficient diesel engine and an all new design. The price too is expected to come down.

Powering the petrol model of the car will be the 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine that is good for 87bhp and 108Nm.Whereas, the diesel model will feature the City's 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel powertrain that churns out 99bhp and 200Nm. The company might also bring in the hot-hatch petrol version of the car, which will feature the 117bhp 1.5-litre i-VTEC mill of the City.

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs. 4.80 lakh - Rs. 8.50 lakh

Engine Options: 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol (87bhp), 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel (99bhp)

Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross

Maruti Suzuki doesn't have any crossover or SUV in its current line-up, but that will not be the case in the year 2015. The company is planning to bring a sub-compact SUV - the XA Alpha - and a crossover - the SX4 S-Cross - in the Indian market. Of the two aforementioned products, the SX4 S-Cross will come first. The Indo-Japanese carmaker has, in fact, started testing the vehicle in India and might launch it anytime in the early 2015.

The crossover resembles to the European SX4 hatchback based 'S-Cross'. However, it will get some exterior and mechanical updates. The SX4 S-Cross is expected to feature a 1.3-litre, 92bhp multijet diesel engine and a 1.4-litre, 94bhp petrol engine.

Expected Launch: Early 2015

Expected Price: Rs. 6.5 lakh - Rs. 9 lakh

Engine options: 1.3-litre diesel (92bhp) and 1.4-litre petrol (94bhp)

Maruti Suzuki iK-2 aka YRA Premium Hatchback

Maruti Suzuki India is planning to bring in a new premium hatchback in 2015 to take on the Hyundai i20 and the yet-to-be-launched new-generation Honda Jazz. The vehicle was recently unveiled as a concept, named the Suzuki iK-2, at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle will be launched in several international markets including India. Though the global model might get a new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the Indian model could get the Swift's 1.2-litre K-Series unit. The diesel engine, too, could be the same 1.3-litre multijet unit that also power the Maruti Ciaz.

Expected Launch: September/October 2015

Expected Price: Rs. 4.80 lakh - Rs. 8.0 lakh

Engine options: 1.2-litre petrol, 1.3-litre diesel

Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha

Ever since its debut as a concept at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, Maruti Suzuki's sub-compact SUV - the XA Alpha - has been one of the most-anticipated cars. The car will finally hit the production lines in the year 2015. Expected to be powered by a 1.3-litre multijet diesel and a 1.4-litre petrol, this sub-4 metre SUV will take on the likes of Ford EcoSport and other upcoming sub-compact SUVs in India.

               Expected Price: R

s. 5.5 lakh - Rs. 8.0 lakh (ex-showroom)

Expected Launch: Second half of 2015

Engine options: 1.3-litre diesel, 1.4-litre petrol