CHAR THE TAR

THE HAUTEST SET OF WHEELS TO HIT THE INDIAN ROADS THIS YEAR

- YOGENDRA PRATAP , ANAGH BHASKAR

There has been a remarkable step-up in the number of launches in the premium and luxury categories after the Covid-19 pandemic and the frequency of luxury car launches is only going to intensify in 2024. Of the eight vehicles that we have picked out to watch out for in the coming year, that six of them are electric vehicles is a testament to our times and the obvious shift of the focus of the high-end market towards sustainability. Five of the eight are SUVs and another one is a UV that again is in keeping with the trends of the past few years.

Of the ICE cars, the most awaited one right at the top is the SUVish vehicle from Ferrari, the Purosangue that will be priced in the super luxury car territory while the one that is gaining a lot of traction is the luxury MPV from Lexus-the LM. But the one company that has really upped the game in the luxury segment is Mercedes-Benz. Not only has it lined up a number of exquisite cars for the Indian market, but it also got the concept that signifies the epitome of luxury, the Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 to display at the NMACC in Mumbai. In addition to the CLE Coupe that will be the highlight of the ICE models coming to India this year, the Maybach version of the EQS SUV from Mercedes will top the electric list of vehicles from Mercedes. The small and only SUV from the Mini brand will make up the bottom end of the spectrum of luxury cars to watch out for in 2024 with its stylish looks and funky character.

And last but not the least are the two sedans that will go head to head against each other in the segment that sees the most volumes in India the executive luxury sedan. BMW is readying its long wheelbase offering for the Indian market and apart from the electric version will also have ICE versions of the car on offer in the country while Mercedes will stick to the ICE versions of the sixth generation of the E-class, albeit also with the LWB model.

BMW i5