Luxury car segment in India continues to grow with every passing year. Marquee brands are making their presence felt with a slew of new car launches this year. In 2020, Audi India was making waves with a series of new model introductions for the fast-growing luxury car segment. Not just Audi, Mercedes-Benz India has started production of the AMG models in the country illustrating the wide appeal of luxury cars in the domestic market. As the year comes to an end, we bring to you 'Top 5 Luxury Car Launches in the year 2020'.
Audi RS Q8
Audi RS Q8 was launched in August at a starting price of Rs 2.07 crore (ex-showroom), India. The RS Q8 is the most powerful and technologically advanced SUV in Audi’s lineup worldwide. It competes against the likes of Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne Turbo in the domestic market. It emerged from the shadows for the first time at the LA motor show in 2019. The SUV is powered by a massive 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 TFSI petrol engine with Cylinder on Demand (COD) Technology. The powertrain belts out 600 bhp of power output and 800Nm of the peak torque between 2200rpm - 4500rpm. Transmission duties are taken care of by an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox with all-wheel-drive Quattro system. The performance SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.8 seconds as it has a top speed of 250 kmph. The maximum speed can be extended to 305 kmph if one opts for RS Dynamic Package Plus.
Land Rover Defender
The iconic SUV made its way to the Indian market for the first time in October, earlier this year. Land Rover Defender price starts from Rs 73.98 lakhs (ex- showroom, India). It retails in two body styles - 90 (3 door) and 110 (5 door). Land Rover Defender 110 variant deliveries have already begun while the Defender 90 bookings are on with deliveries slated to start from the first quarter of next year. The SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. The power plant delivers 296bhp of power output and 400Nm of peak torque. It comes with a 4x4 drive system as standard. Also, Jaguar Land Rover India has started booking for its first plug-in hybrid vehicle in the Indian market namely the Defender P400e. It will be coming with only the 110-body type and will be available in four variants namely SE, HSE, X-Dynamic HSE and X. Defender P400e will be powered by a combination of 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine and 19.2 kWh lithium-ion battery. The battery is paired to a 105-kW electric motor. Talking about performance, the combined power output and torque performance come to 398bhp and 640Nm, respectively.
Mercedes-Benz GLS
Earlier this year in the month of June, Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV was launched at a price tag of Rs 99.90 lakhs (ex-showroom), India. The SUV was presented in two variants: 400d diesel and 450 petrol. The GLS houses BS6 compliant twin 3.0-litre in-line 6-cylinder engines under the hood. The petrol powertrain delivers 367bhp of power output and 500Nm of peak torque, while an additional 22bhp and 250Nm is derived from the 48V mild-hybrid EQ system. While the diesel engine belts out a maximum power output of 330bhp with 700Nm of peak torque. Transmission duties in both the engines are taken care by a 9-speed torque converter automatic gearbox as standard. The power is transmitted to all the four wheels through the 4Matic four-wheel-drive system.
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
BMW India refreshed its product line-up in the country with the launch of the 2 Series Gran Coupe at a starting price of Rs 39.30 lakhs for the 220d SPORT LINE variant and Rs 41.40 lakhs for the 220d M SPORT. Both prices are ex-showroom, India. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé retails in 4 colour options namely Alpine White (non-metallic), Black Sapphire, Melbourne Red and Storm Bay. The Sport Line comes with an exclusive Seaside Blue paint scheme while the M Sport variant is available in two additional colour options - Misano Blue and Snapper Rocks. It houses a powerful 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder diesel engine under the hood. The coupe delivers 290bhp of maximum power output and 400Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired to an 8-speed Steptronic automatic unit. The new 2 Series Gran Coupe can accelerate from 0 to 100kmph in just 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 234kmph. The coupe offers 4 different driving conditions namely ECO PRO, Comfort and Sport.
2020 Range Rover Evoque
In January, New-Gen Range Rover Evoque arrived in the Indian market. Launched in two variants, Next-Generation Range Rover Evoque S carries a price tag of Rs 54.94 lakhs (ex-showroom) while Range Rover Evoque R-Dynamic SE retails at Rs 59.85 lakhs (ex-showroom) India. The premium SUV comes with BS6 compliant 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel engine. The petrol engine offers a 48V mild-hybrid system with a power output of 249 bhp while the diesel unit generates 180 bhp of power output. Transmission duties on both variants are taken care of by a 9-speed automatic gearbox.
Read Also: Top Value for Money Cars Launched in India - 2020
