Car India, in association with Subros, felicitates the outstanding products and companies in the Indian automobile industry who raised the standard one way or the other during the year gone by
1. Micro Car Of The Year 2012- Hyundai Eon
In 2011, the second largest car maker in the country came up with a new product that is small, efficient, inexpensive and easy to drive. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Car India’s Micro Car of the Year: the Hyundai Eon. This new car has got the right looks, small dimensions, driveability and, most importantly, the price and fuel efficiency, making it an ideal choice for our Micro Car of the Year.
Hyundai are known for making some of the finest small cars and the Eon is no exception. The South Korean company invested a lot of money and time in developing a car that would be ideal for a small Indian family. Its small dimensions and the decently powered 814-cc petrol engine of the Eon make it very easy to manoeuvre through heavy traffic and park in tight spots. Furthermore, its attractive and contemporary exterior design makes it quite popular among the youngsters.
The Eon also has quite decent interior space. The cabin can easily seat five people and the quality of plastic and fabric used is pretty good. The beautifully laid-out dashboard perfectly complements the contemporary exterior. An excellent price tag of Rs 3.1 lakh (OTR, Pune) is quite a bargain for a car like the Eon.
Good handling, excellent fuel efficiency (17.75 km per litre) and all the aforesaid facts were more than enough to convince the jury who were also impressed by the Eon the moment they got behind the wheel and that’s how the little Hyundai Eon won the 2012 Car India Micro Car of the Year trophy.
2. Hatchback Of The Year 2012 (Petrol) – Honda Brio
Nominations: Honda Brio, Toyota Liva, Maruti Suzuki Swift
The buzz in the small car market was at its peak this year, with two global car-makers making their début in the segment with special offerings. Japanese giant Honda brought in the Brio, a complete package in terms of looks, cabin space, economy, handling and driveability. Toyota picked up the gauntlet and brought in competition their first small car, the Etios Liva, which became an instant hit in the market. Good cabin space, elegant looks and good driveability and handling made the car give a tough competition to the already positioned products in the market. Similarly, undisputed leaders in the small car market, Maruti Suzuki, launched their popular hatchback, the Swift, in an all-new avatar. Sharp styling and a little tweak to the engine lend the car a true ‘hot hatch’ appeal.
However, only one of these hatchbacks would win the title and the decision wasn’t easy. With a true value-for-money package that it is, the Honda Brio was awarded the best petrol hatchback of the year. This latest Honda small car has the family DNA when it comes to drive quality, engine refinement and efficiency. The company has priced it strategically too to fight the competition even better. With a 1.2-litre engine borrowed from the Jazz, the Brio does justice to the i-VTEC and offers a drive unmatched by any other car in the segment. It may look small from the outside, but has ample cabin space for passenger comfort and storage.
3. Hatchback Of The Year 2012 (Diesel) – Maruti Suzuki Swift
Nominations: Toyota Liva, Maruti Suzuki Swift
Given the way petrol prices are sky-rocketing, diesel has gained in popularity as never before. Every car-maker is busy coming out with engine options for their running models to cash in on this increasing demand. A diesel car and a hatchback on top of that, the combination is best suited for the Indian market currently.
The new entrants in this segment were the Toyota Liva and the new Maruti Suzuki Swift. Whereas the Liva staked its claim to the title with its good handling and driveability, the Swift answered with segment-leading fuel economy in addition to a good drive. In this tussle of the new and fresh versus the old and tested, experience won and the new Maruti Suzuki Swift was awarded the diesel Hatchback of the Year. Having been in the market for over five years, it was launched with a make-over just when the Swift seemed to be losing its charm and the car was back in the game. Not only does it offer the reliability and trust that the Maruti brand has built in the minds of Indian consumers, but it actually adds to it with a class-leading performance. Looks, space, comfort, performance, economy, you name it and the Swift excels in that attribute. The company knows the needs and demands of a small car buyer very well and with the Swift, they have given him exactly what he wants.
4. Mid-size Car Of The Year 2012 (Petrol) – Toyota Etios
Nominations: Hyundai Verna, Ford Fiesta, Nissan Sunny, Toyota Etios, Skoda Rapid
After the small car, the second most popular segment in the Indian automotive market is the mid-size sedan segment. All car manufacturers have confirmed their presence in this segment with their products. The contenders for the title here were the new ‘fluidic’ Hyundai Verna, new Ford Fiesta, Nissan Sunny, Toyota Etios and the latest launch in the segment, the Skoda Rapid. Every contender has its own USP to defend the title. Whereas the Verna comes with a cabin loaded with a lot of interesting features at that price, the new Fiesta retains its good handling and driveability traits. The Sunny claims to be a car with the maximum cabin space, but just one single feature isn’t enough to win them the title.
So with all the attributes needed to win the best mid-size sedan of the year award, the Toyota Etios walked away with the crown. Simple looks, good cabin space, segment leading performance and good drive quality and handling are enough to explain why the Etios won our judges’ hearts. Apart from these, its price tag plays an equally important role in the car’s success. A global product and a competitive price ought to arouse consumers’ interest in this new offering from the Japanese car giant. Confident of the car’s performance, the company is even planning to run it in a one-make race series (with younger sibling Liva) very soon.
5. Mid-size Car Of The Year 2012 (Diesel) – Škoda Rapid
Nominations: Toyota Etios, Škoda Rapid, Hyundai Verna, Ford Fiesta
Škoda filled the void in their Indian line-up by launching the sedan, Rapid, towards the end of the year gone by. The Rapid, simply put, has the VW Vento body with a Škoda Fabia nose. Nevertheless, it is a very proportionate car with a solid build quality. It has a spacious cabin with comfortable seats, a neat instrument panel and efficient noise cancellation, which, together, offer a very pleasurable experience. The safety features of this car include ABS and airbag in the top variant with an engine immobiliser system as standard.
The Rapid’s diesel variant has two trims: Active and Ambition. Its 1,598-cc turbo-diesel engine has a power output of 105 PS at 4,400 RPM and 250 Nm of torque between 1,500-2,500 RPM, making it the second most powerful car in the mid-size sedan segment. Transmission is five-speed manual. It is also the lightest car in its class, which gives it the best power-to-weight ratio and helps it accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 11.9 seconds. Again one of the best figures in its class. The Rapid’s 1.6-litre TDI engine also returns the best in class average fuel efficiency of 17.25 km per litre.
The course that we had selected for our award drive tested the Rapid’s abilities within the city, on the highway and through the twisting zigzag. The jury were impressed by the Rapid’s power delivery and handling through the corners. It also has a very stable ride quality at high speeds and is easy to manoeuvre in
traffic.
The other nominees in this category were the Toyota Etios (diesel), Hyundai Verna (diesel) and the new Ford Fiesta. All the cars are worthy of applause and have their own appeal. In our test parameters, the Škoda Rapid has an edge over others. What’s more, the Rapid also comes with a very good price-tag. At Rs 9.3 lakh (OTR, Pune) the Rapid has the most attractive package and wins our award for the best diesel mid-size sedan. Congratulations, Škoda India!
6. Executive Car Of The Year 2012 (Petrol) – Volkswagen Jetta
Nominations: Renault Fluence, Maruti Kizashi, Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen launched the new-generation Jetta in India last year. Now in its sixth generation, the Jetta looks like a slightly smaller Passat, in sync with Volkswagen’s global design language. It has greater power and space than the older model and a host of other features such as a shark-fin antenna, touch-screen multimedia system with eight speakers, cruise control, light and rain sensors, park assist, hill hold control, front seat belt height adjustment and tensioner, a ‘climatic’ air conditioner, an auto-dimming RVM and exterior mirrors that are electrically adjustable, foldable and heated! It is a global model for the company and has an upmarket executive look.
The Jetta comes in three variants: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. All the variants have the same 1,986-cc turbo-diesel engine as the older model, but with a drastic increase in performance and efficiency – a result of Volkswagen’s continuous efforts to downsize the TDI engines. The Jetta’s power and torque figures stand at 140 PS at 4,200 RPM and 320 Nm between 1,750-2,500
RPM respectively. A six-speed manual transmission delivers this performance in the Trendline and Comfortline variants, while the top-of-the line Highline comes with the option of the six manual or DSG gearboxes.
We had tested the Highline automatic variant of the Jetta, which sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.54 seconds, an improvement of over one second over the previous model, and at 14.25 kpl, it also returns better fuel efficiency.
The other nominees for this award were the Maruti Suzuki Kizashi and Renault Fluence, which, though very good cars, have not been as well received as the Jetta, which comes across as a better overall package. It has better performance, handling and an attractive price range of Rs 16.25-20.46 lakh. We congratulate Volkswagen for winning the award.
7. Luxury Car Of The Year2012 – Audi A6
Nominations: Volkswagen Passat, Audi A6, Jaguar XF
All the manufacturers in this category are more or less at par with one another when it comes to technology and vehicle dynamics. However, Audi have yet again managed to raise the standard of what a modern luxury car should be. The new Audi A6 is the best car in its class and a much superior product than its earlier generation.
To start with, the A6’s styling itself was very appealing to our jury. The all-LED headlights give the car an aggressive look, but, at the same time, the overall design is subtle and executive. Inside the cabin, it has leather upholstery, wooden inserts, a lot of chrome and high-tech controls and multimedia system to spoil the occupant.
Audi offer four engine options in the A6 as opposed to one each in the other two nominees. The 2.0- and 3.0-litre TDIs are diesel while the 2.8-FSI and 3.0-litre TFSI are petrol. The 2.0-litre TDI engine has an overall fuel efficiency of 13.8 km per litre, but during our Chennai to Mumbai drive a few months ago, the A6 gave a staggering mileage of almost 19 kpl! The A6 3.0-litre TDI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in eight seconds flat. It has an electronically restricted top speed of 250 km/h with exceptional handling and stability throughout.
The Jaguar XF and the Volkswagen Passat were close competitors of the A6. Both the cars are exceptionally luxurious, but none could match the supremacy of the Audi A6.
8. Premium Luxury Car Of The Year 2012 – Audi A8
Nominations: Audi A7, Audi A8, Mercedes-Benz CLS
This year three fierce contenders – the Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A8 – were in the fray to slog it out for the coveted premium luxury COTY title and, after a very close fight, it was the Audi A8 that emerged as the ultimate champion. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Car India’s Premium Luxury Car of the Year, the Audi A8.
In 2011, Audi launched the third generation of their luxury limo, the A8. The new A8 is based on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform, but it retains the aluminium space frame from the previous generation. This makes the new A8 the lightest all-wheel drive luxury car in the world and also the most fuel-efficient in its class. Besides, the new A8 is loaded with excellent features to make sure one gets pampered to the core.
Audi designers have beautifully mixed luxury and elegance with sportiness and aggression, thus making the A8 a car that appeals to mature as well as young audiences. The third-generation A8 comes with two state-of-the-art engines: a 4.2-litre FSI V8 petrol motor, a 3.0-litre TDI V6 motor and a top-of-the-line W12 petrol motor. Both the engines have excellent performance and fuel efficiency along with utmost refinement.
Inside, the A8 offers enormous space both for the front and rear passengers along with massaging seats covered with the finest leather, a 10-inch LCD display in the centre console and new interior, all of which make the new A8 a desirable premium luxury car.
9. SUV Of The Year 2012 – Mahindra XUV500
Nominations: Mahindra XUV500, Force One, Mahindra Thar
In 2011, Mahindra and Mahindra decided to take the game to the next level and truly become a global automotive company and to do so they came up with a product that truly has the potential to take the company to new international heights. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Car India’s SUV of the Year: Mahindra XUV500.
For four long years Mahindra worked hard to develop the XUV500 and in 2011 the company finally launched a product that features a lot of firsts for M&M. Mahindra drifted away from traditional ways of designing and building an SUV by making a contemporary SUV that featured modern monocoque chassis and safety features such as ESP and hill hold control, a first for the Indian giant. And an attractive price tag for a fully loaded modern SUV made the XUV500 an instant hit.
Mahindra’s efforts to develop a global product are quite evident in the XUV500. The monocoque chassis and a suspension set-up that has been tuned in association with Lotus Engineering of the UK and modern safety features make the XUV500 truly desirable. Similarly, the re-worked 2.2-litre diesel engine that develops 140 PS of power and a whopping 330 Nm of torque is more refined, simply making it an exciting SUV to drive.
Good handling, ease of driving, stability and power delivery clubbed with a contemporary design, excellent features and an attractive price tag make the XUV500 a highly desirable product. And the overflowing bookings prove that even the people love the XUV500. Hence, it was destined to become the 2012 SUV of the year. Congratulations, Mahindra and Mahindra.
10. Premium SUV Of The Year 2012 – BMW X3
Nominations: BMW X3, BMW X1, Renault Koleos, Range Rover Evoque
Nowadays, premium SUVs are becoming quite a trend and in 2011 we witnessed the launch of four new premium SUVs that included the BMW X1, Renault Koleos, Range Rover Evoque and the new BMW X3. Among these four competitors, it was the BMW X3 that impressed our jury, who voted the X3 as Car India’s Premium SUV of the Year.
There were a number of factors that ultimately made the X3 the winner. To start with, BMW have reworked the styling, making the car look more modern. However, it still retains that typical BMW charm. All the angular edges were replaced by nice curves, making the new X3 more appealing than its predecessor.
The interior of this SUV has a very warm and welcoming feel. The nicely laid-out dashboard, high-quality leather seats and loads of space make the X3 a nice car to be in. Feature-wise, the X3 comes with keyless entry, auto start stop and a sunroof. However, the part that impresses the most is the performance of the X3.
The new X3 is available in two engine options: a 2.0-litre and a 3.0-litre diesel. Both the engines are mated to an eight-speed auto transmission. The 2.0-litre diesel motor develops 185 PS of power and 380 Nm of torque that propel the X3 from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.56 seconds. The 3.0-litre X3 develops 260 PS of power and a whopping 560 Nm of torque. Plus, price tags of Rs 49.00 lakh for the 2.0-litre X3 and Rs 57 lakh for the 3.0-litre X3 sound enticing for a feature-packed BMW vehicle.
11. Automotive Design Of The Year 2012 -Ferrari 458 Spyder
Nominations: Ferrari 458 Spyder, Maserati MC Stradale, Ducati Diavel (motorcycle), Range Rover Evoque, Hyundai Verna
The year 2011 saw the launch of various Indian as well as imported automobiles that excel in design and styling as nothing before. Short-listing the final contenders itself became a difficult task. The Ferrari 458 Italia and Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale were the Italian cars to make it to the final list while the Ducati Diavel came from the two-wheeled world. The Range Rover Evoque was the best designed SUV while ‘fluidic’ Hyundai Verna was the Indian car that made it to the finalists’ list.
Of these, the Ferrari 458 Italia bagged the Automotive Design of the Year award with its sinister styling and aggressive stance. The LED-bejewelled headlights and the creases around it give it a feel of furious eyes and flared eyebrows. Even at standstill, this Ferrari looks faster than most others. The 458 Italia is easily one of the best-looking Ferraris in the past few years and will probably remain so for years to come. And in Scarlet Red, there is absolutely nothing that can challenge this beauty.
12. Variant Of The Year 2012 – Chevrolet Beat (Diesel)
Nominations: Chevrolet Beat (Diesel), Maruti Suzuki SX4 (diesel), Toyota Corolla Altis (automatic)
Launching a good car model is tough, but making it better by introducing a new variant is even tougher. General Motors (GM) did just that rather efficiently by offering a diesel variant in their popular Chevrolet Beat hatchback. Last year the American small car had won the hearts of the Car India awards jury with its styling and was voted as the ‘Automotive Design of the Year’. And holding the GM baton high this year is the Beat again, but in its diesel avatar.
Powering the front wheels of the Beat is a completely new 936-cc, three-cylinder diesel motor that has been developed by GM’s technical centre in India and GM Powertrain Europe especially for the Indian market. What makes it unique is that it is the smallest diesel engine on offer with highest power and torque figures and a claimed fuel efficiency of 24 km per litre. It might be the smallest oil-burner but on tap is an impressive power output of 58.5 PS at 4,000, and 150 Nm of torque available from 1,750 RPM, which is close to what other bigger diesel mills produce. Since the torque kicks in at low RPM, the car can be driven at a higher gear which helps it achieve the good fuel efficiency figures. The other plus for this car is its gearbox which has been tuned well to match the power and torque curves, making driving the car within the city and on highways a delightful experience.
Best of all, GM has not altered the ride and handling of this car which remains one of the best in this segment. But the icing on the cake remains the amazing price that begins just below Rs 5 lakh on the road, for the base model. Now that’s a tempting offer that difficult to refuse
13. READERS’ CHOICE AWARD 2012 – Hyundai Eon
The run to move a step higher is never ending. If a small car user wishes to upgrade to a sedan, then so does a two-wheeler rider to his own first set of four wheels. Tata Nano made this dream of average Indian customer come true and Hyundai took it a step further by providing him a wholesome package at a nominal price tag with their latest offering, the Eon. The car might come with a humble 800-cc engine, but offers all that grunt that one needs for a smooth drive around the city. Good looks, a spacious cabin and good fuel economy, the Eon fares well on all these counts. Also, its price makes it an affordable purchase for those looking for a ‘micro’ car. Though the Eon had no competitors in its own segment, it had to vie with other best products in their segment to win the Readers’ Choice Award and its victory makes it a true ‘people’s car’.
14. Automotive Technology Of The Year 2012 – VOLVO
Nominations: Volvo S60’s Pedestrian Detection and Full Auto Brake, Volkswagen Passat’s Park Assist self parking system, Mercedes-Benz SLK 350’s Magic Sky Control
Most of the cars in the luxury segment are at par with each other in terms of technology, but there are still a few that stand out. Such as our nominees for this year’s Automotive Technology of the Year Award.
The first is the optional MAGIC SKY CONTROL (MSC) feature for the glass-roof of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK convertible. MSC is a unique innovation which adds a tint to the glass roof of the car at the push of a button or can make it completely clear for an open-air experience. The second is the Park assist system on the new Volkswagen Passat, which parks the car automatically, even in congested places. It offers great convenience in a country like ours and impressed our jury with its preciseness.
However, Volvo’s Pedestrian Detection and full auto brake system earned the highest points as also the award for its contribution to improving road safety. The system uses radar technology to detect obstructions in the path and actuates the car’s brakes automatically if the driver fails to do so.
15. Navigation System Of The Year 2012 – MapMyIndia
Nominations: Garmin, MapMyIndia, SatNav
The Indian road network is regarded as the second largest in the world with over 4.42 million kilometres of roadways. Mapping almost all of these roads and providing navigation to any corner of the country is not an easy task. However, MapMyIndia have done it very well and come up with various navigation devices that can help you find your way anywhere in India as you drive or ride. The company has managed to map even the far interior roads along with most of the ‘points of interest’.
The MapMyIndia CarPad wins the Navigation System of the Year award owing to its multi-utility form, apart from just being a fantastic navigation device. It doubles up as an Android-based tablet while not forgetting its basic navigation function. Not just that, the company has recently come up with 3D maps of certain cities in India that show the exact buildings, landscapes and mountains, etc, as they are in the surroundings. The other navigation devices nominated for this award were Garmin and SatNav.
16. Manufacturer Of The Year 2012 – TOYOTA
Nominations: Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motors India, Mahindra & Mahindra
When automotive heavyweights like Toyota, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Mahindra are engaged in a tussle, it becomes difficult to guess who will emerge the winner of the Manufacturer of the Year.
Maruti Suzuki had an eventful year as well. The Kizashi might not have created ripples in the automotive sector, but the new Swift with bigger proportions has been emerging as the most beloved in its segment.
The one manufacturer who launched the right product at the right time in 2011 was Toyota Kirloskar Motor. Be it the introduction of a diesel and automatic gearbox equipped variants of the popular Corolla Altis sedan or venturing into the small car market with the Etios Liva petrol and diesel hatchback, the company has been offering the right product at the right price and perfectly timing the launch, making it an instant hit.
The most important achievement of the Japanese giant was the reinvention of the mid-size, entry-level sedan segment with the introduction of the fantastically priced and packaged Etios. These have highlighted Toyota’s understanding of and commitment to India. We are sure this is just the beginning.
17. AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2012 – MRF
Nominations: MRF ZLO tyres, Arai helmet, Bosch Power Wash
The year 2011 saw some interesting automotive products being launched in the country. Among the three that made it to the Car India awards, the MRF ZLO has emerged as a clear winner. This is one product that not only improves the ability of the vehicle, but also enhances its safety.
After thoroughly testing the MRF ZLO tyres on one of our long-term vehicles we found out that this new set gave the car much better road grip, which, in turn, boosted the driver’s confidence and made driving the car more engaging. The other aspect that pleased us was how the MRF helped in reducing the stopping distance during braking. This left a lasting impression and if you are familiar with Indian road conditions, you will be able to relate to the importance of bringing the car to a halt quicker. This practical investment is something we would like to encourage.
18. Component Manufacturer Of The Year 2012 -Bosch India
Nominations: Bosch India, Endurance Systems India, Delphi India
Once again, the Car India Component Manufacturer of the Year award goes to Bosch India Ltd for their pioneering work in the field of automotive safety and innovation. Worldwide leaders in safety technology and systems, Bosch have given the world a lot of components that signify technological advance and, therefore, they were the obvious choice in this category.
Established in 1886 by the great German industrialist and inventor, Robert Bosch, the company has grown now to have more than 350 subsidiaries across over 60 countries and invests around four billion Euros every year in research and development. Systems like ABS, ESP, engine management systems, hybrid technologies and a lot more are what make Bosch the best automotive component manufacturer in the world. With their untiring research into cutting-edge breakthroughs that will drive the car of the future, Bosh have shown us the way forward and, therefore, are the deserving winners of the Manufacturer of the Year Award.
19. Car Of The Year 2012 – TOYOTA ETIOS THE WINNER
Ladies and gentlemen, the esteemed Car India Car of the Year Award goes to none other than the Toyota Etios, a car that has raised the bar in its segment and made competition realise the potential of the entry-level mid-size sedan segment. With its unassuming looks and innocuous styling, this sedan from the land of the rising sun was the underdog all the year long. It missed the nomination deadline (November 30) last year by less than half a day as it was launched on December 1, 2010. The Etios gives a new meaning to the saying, ‘better late than never’, by winning the Car of the Year 2011.
Like most Toyota designs, the brand-new Etios has not been designed to take your breath away, but remains very practical, functional and, most importantly, sturdy. It eventually subdued the competitors owing to its solid build quality, competitive price and overall packaging. Though the interior styling was not that impressive, its smooth engine and assuring ride quality caught the attention of our jury. Its incredible price makes this sedan cheaper even than some of the hatchbacks, which further added weight to the decision, which was already tilting towards the Etios due to its strong engineering DNA. What gave it a final nudge over the other worthy competitors is Toyota’s reliability and top-notch, after-sales service. Kudos, Toyota!
THE JURY
A S WE ALL KNOW the Indian automobile industry is undergoing a gradual yet definite transformation. From low-budget cars meeting basic requirements, focused more on the price tag than on features (safety features included), the trend is changing towards neater, better looking, more advanced and more affordable world cars. The same holds true of the higher segments with many major international players setting their sights on the Indian market as one of the fastest emerging ones and putting their best foot forward. However, the fact remains that the criterion for judging nominees in different segments would certainly not be the same with technological advancements topping the charts in the case of luxury sedans and affordable price making all the difference in the hatch world.
In order to highlight this difference in the market and to make the judging procedure easier for our jurors, we followed a sub-category system. The cars to make the biggest impact in their own category were shortlisted for the final marking. The biggest task for the jury was to figure out how the new launches selected as nominees compared with the competitors in their own segment and if they were deserving of the grand prize. The awards for various sub-categories feature an appropriate voting system and the winners are decided after a test drive session wherein the jury members get a hands-on feel of every contender. The list of the winners of various sub-categories also forms the short-list of contenders for the main Car of the Year award.
This year our panel of judges included: Pawan Sabharwal, Director (Marketing), Subros Ltd; H S Billimoria, CEO, Next Gen Publishing Ltd, Nawaz Sandhu, ace lady rallyist and one of the fi nest drivers in the country; Rayomand Banajee, one of the most successful among the new breed of racing drivers; Manu Rajvanshi, Output Editor at Zee Business; Karan Chopra, Head (Retail Business), HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd; Aspi Bhathena, Editor, CAR India; Sarmad Kadiri, Assistant Editor, CAR India; and Adhish Alawani, Senior Correspondent, CAR India.
Our auditors, Mazars, made sure that the judging procedure was carried out strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations. In fact, the final score sheets for the Car of the Year award remained with them until the last minute, thus ensuring the authenticity of our awards.
AWARD PARTNERS
The Car India and Bike India awards would not be such a resounding success had it not been for the unstinting support of our partners. We would like to record our debt of gratitude to them: our sponsors Subros Ltd, S P Group and HDFC ERGO; our audit partners, Mazars; hospitality partners, The Dina Hotel, Mahabaleshwar; and, finally, Zee Business, our media partners. A big ‘Thank you!’ to them all!
SUBROS LTD
IN A COUNTRY LIKE INDIA, THE next most important thing for a car after fuel-efficiency happens to be air-conditioning, in the absence of which the heat, especially during the summer months, can be quite unbearable. Subros Ltd has aptly understood this and has been providing comfort to car occupants for quite some time.
Founded in 1985, Subros Ltd is a joint venture public limited company with 40 per cent ownership by the Suri family of India and 13 per cent ownership by Denso Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation each. Subros is the leading manufacturer of thermal products for automotive applications in India in technical collaboration with Denso.
The company has grown from a capacity of 50,000 a-c units in 1985, consisting largely of assembly operations, into the largest and only integrated manufacturing unit in India for auto air-conditioning systems. Subros has three manufacturing plants at Noida, Manesar and Pune with an annual capacity of one million a-c kits. As part of its expansion plan, Subros has opened two new plants, one in Sanand and the other in Chennai to cater to its southern customers.
Subros has a fully equipped training centre at Noida. Training is also provided through their regional staff throughout the country at Maruti/Tata Motors regional training centres. On-the-job-training is provided to dealer personnel at their workshops by the company’s regional staff. Advanced training for supervisors/engineers of all dealers is provided at the Maruti Service Training Centre at Gurgaon.
We thank them for their support by being the title sponsor for the 2012 awards and look forward to similar support in the future too.
THE S P GROUP
THE SHAPOORJI PALLONJI GROUP (S P GROUP) Limited is involved in a variety of fields but its core business remains construction and it is one of the most quality-conscious and the oldest Indian construction companies with a legacy going back 140 years.
MAZARS
A LEADING INDEPENDENT AND INTEGRATED international organisation, which specialises in providing audit, tax and advisory services. Mazars made sure that the judging procedure was unbiased and in strict conformity with the rules.
HDFC ERGO
FOR MOST OF US OWNING A CAR HAS BEEN A dream that we have nurtured since childhood and once we own it, it becomes our most prized possession. To protect this prized possession from unforeseen circumstances a motor insurance is a must. With HDFC ERGO motor insurance one can be rest assured of hassle-free service and streetwise support, backed by a network spanning 1,600+ authorised workshops and an end-to-end automated process which ensures fast claim track settlement. HDFC ERGO motor insurance not only protects one’s vehicle but also ensures that one gets a package post-accident assistance, when one needs it.
With focus on motor insurance, HDFC ERGO General Insurance offers the convenience, professionalism and understanding that the customer wants. The scope of this insurance (also known as auto insurance, car insurance or motor insurance) extends to cars, lorries and other vehicles. Its primary use is to provide protection against losses incurred as a result of traffic accidents and against liability that could be incurred in an accident. We hope to have a long and cordial relationship with them.
MAK LUBRICANTS
BPCL’S MAK BRAND OF LUBRICANTS IS THE FASTEST growing brand in its category and has a wide range of products for automotive and industrial customers. MAK grades of lubricants are made available through an elaborate network comprising the ‘Bazaar’, BPCL’s retail outlets, primary lube distribution (PLD) and direct sale. The company also reaches out to core sectors like the railways, defence, coal, marine and steel.
BPCL’s Mumbai refi nery produces the best-in-class Group II + category base oil. Blended with world-class additives in three blending plants across the country, MAK has over 350 SKUs of superior quality oils and greases, varying in size from 250 millilitres to 210 litres.
Constant innovations like new oil formulations have been the success score for the brand in one of the most competitive sectors of the petroleum industry. Recent innovations like MAK HITEMP XTRA SM GREASE for sugar mills, MAK all-season HMO (horticulture mineral oil) and LLPO (light liquid paraffi n oil) for the cosmetic sector have turned out to be runaway successes.
MAK has entered into tie-ups with major OEMs like TATA, Hero MotoCorp and Escorts to introduce specialised oils. MAK has also made forays into international markets like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Middle East.
THE DINA HOTEL
LOCATED IN SCENIC MAHABALESHWAR, THE DINA Hotel is a heritage property but with all essential modern comforts and conveniences. Being the hospitality partner, the hotel made the stay of the judges during the jury meet most comfortable and relaxing.
ZEE BUSINESS
THE BEST MEDIUM TO SHOW ALL THE ACTIONBEHIND awarding the best in the automotive world was via television and this is where Zee Business came in to the picture. The fastest growing Hindi business channel in India, Zee Business speaks the language of the masses and so, once again we joined hands with them to bring the 2012 awards to you within the comfort of your homes.
THE BEST ALL TOGETHER-THE JURY MEET
FROM PUNY EON TO THE BRAWNY RS5, THE list of contenders for various categories and the big title of being the Car of the year, was varied but a fine collection of the best offering in each segment. The jury drive was flagged off from the CAR India office, and squeezing their way through the morning rush, the convoy headed towards Mahabaleshwar from where the jurors further tested the cars and bikes on the Mahabaleshwar – Satara highway. Driving through city traffic, the jurors got a first hand experience of where each defendant stood on the scale of being a good city car. Following that, the open highway gave a chance to test the performance of every car and the winding roads of the ghat section put them on a true handling test too. The roads en route weren’t always the best ones either and the cars were judged on their comfort and handling on broken roads and potholes. On the stop-overs after every 10 kms the jury members swaped the cars and got a chance to drive every single car in the convoy. Also, factors like cabin and storage space and NVH was closely examined by the jurors before filling their score sheets. A taxing day that it was, came to a pleasant end as they reached the beautiful Dina Hotel in Mahabaleshwar and parked the cars. The place surely took the fatigue off our jurors’ shoulders and they could fulfill their responsibilities and fill their score cards with a calm head. The winners thus chosen, stand witness of that.
Report: Team Car India
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
