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New car models launched last year: MUVs and SUVs

2012 was a decent year of the Indian car bazaar, in spite of the slow and sluggish speed of the passenger vehicle segment. In the year gone by, many car makers made the SUV and MUV segment rich with new and fresh facelifts of their cars. This section of the Indian car bazaar showed immense growth and the variety of cars came in to lure the consumers. Let’s go through what was especially on the utility vehicle segment in 2012.

1.Toyota Fortuner

Toyota Fortuner facelift was launched on 5th January 2012. The SUV was refreshed in terms of exteriors and interiors. The modified projector headlamps with washer along with altered fog lamp housing and new bumper line are highlights. It also has 12 spoke 17 inches of alloy wheels. The interiors were also refurbished a bit.

2.Toyota Innova

The face-lifted version of Toyota Innova MPV was launched on 5th Jan 2012. The car was tweaked on the outside with much sporty headlamps and fog lamps. On the inside, the new light beige color scheme, dark-wood insert, new central console, 6 inches touch screen display for DVD and Bluetooth and audio controls are present with new reverse camera.

3.Mahindra Xylo

Mahindra Xylo facelift was rolled out in the Indian car bazaar on 8th February 2012. The new Xylo was launched with sporty and smart XUV500 style front profile. The front grille, bumper and headlights were reworked along with adding a touch of sportiness on the roof rails. The engine was 2.2 litre mHawk mill along with features like leather seats, cruise control, steering mounted controls and great lighting.

4.Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2012 was launched by the firm on 12 March last year. This was basically a facelift given to the age old Pajero SFX. The 2.5 litre diesel engine was the major highlight here that churns out 176BHP of power with 400Nm of torque. This seven-seater also came with some major makeover on the outside along with some elegance on the inside comprising of faux-wood and black and beige colored dashboard and doors.

5.Chevrolet Tavera

On 21st March 2012, general Motors India launched the new Chevrolet Tavera with refreshed interiors and exteriors. This MPV came with new clear headlamps along with signature grille and bigger golden bowtie. On the inside, the car comes with new fabric trim, modish instrument panel and the highly acclaimed 2.0 diesel engine following the BS IV norms.

6.Mitsubishi Outlander

26th March 2012 saw the launch of Mitsubishi Outlander facelift. The company brought this mean and sporty SUV with a host of changes both on the outside and inside. The outside changes are minimal, while the inside has been blessed with Rockford Fosgate 710W 6-CD changer music system with Aux-in and USB support. The leather upholstery with wooden trims made the interiors more lavish and deluxe.

7.Mitsubishi Montero

Mitsubishi Montero or internationally known as fourth generation Pajero went through a makeover and was launched in the Indian car bazaar on 16th April 2012. The exteriors were given quite an amazing look comprising of new chrome finished grille, big bi-xenon headlamps and huge front bumpers. However, the interiors were kept more or less the same as before. The new gloss along the power window panel, stylish new leather seats and new illumination courtesy lamp enhance the ambience altogether.

8.Chevrolet Captiva

On 26th June 2012, Chevrolet Captiva facelift was launched in the Indian car market. This time around the car came up with 6-speed automatic transmission coupled with the same engine options as before. The exteriors were seen with typical Chevrolet style grille along with some high class features such as cruise control, smart sunroof, and electrically powered parking brake, rain sensing wipers and heating at the third row.

9.Volkswagen Touareg

VW India launched the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg SUV with many changes. The SUV was rolled out with an impressive 3.0 litre diesel engine producing 245PS of peak power and 550Nm of maximum torque. The bold and big 18 inches of karakum alloy wheels adorns the well-pronounced wheel arches. The panoramic sunroof is present along with bi-xenon auto LED headlights. On the inside, climatronic four-zone air conditioning was seen with 14-way power adjustable driver’s seat.

10.Tata Safari Storme

On 17th October 2012, the much awaited facelift of the year, Tata Safari Storme was launched. The car finally was up for sale and received an amazing response from the consumers. This time around, Tata Motors did put in a lot of efforts and made Storme different and strong. The car was launched with 2.2 litre VariCor engine and 4x4 system. The masculine and sporty looks further enhance the overall persona of the car. on the other hand, the interiors were seen with better quality plastic, improved dash design , wood and leather inserts and more superior features completely the makeover of age-old Safari SUV.