Team-BHP New car launch of the Year 2008

Steeroid · 29th December 2007, 20:20

I chose the i10 because it is the first to break the stereotype that small cars have to feel cheap, making it distinct in a sea of cheap hatches. It is also a very clever makeover of a volume-selling econobox that still looks very different!

It takes courage to do something different when everyone else is following a tried and tested route.

It was a close call with the SX4 (unlike BSM which manages to drag the Logan into everything!) which has also changed the groundrules in the C+ segment, but there is something called appeal and so I asked myself whether I would buy an SX4 if I were in that market - the answer was No, because I'd still buy a Fiesta 1.6 or a Verna CRDi. The i10, yes I would buy!

sgmuser · 29th December 2007, 20:39

It should be SX4 because,
- it has shaken the segment
- Great Deal and VFM.
- Gem of an engine
- Great handling in its segment (Based on a Fiat designed platform, what else you need!)
- Features unheard in the segment (Auto Aircon, 16inch alloy wheels, Steering Wheel integrated Audio Controls, ABS, EBD, Air Bags)
- Great Design
- Excellent Driving View

ravibhat · 29th December 2007, 20:50

Hyundai i10 for sure is car of the year 2008 according to me, although SX4 fully loaded come close, If Maruti had come with better quality I would have voted for it.

i10 is 2 steps forward in small cars because its first in its class in many aspects.

If we think only VFM and economy its SX4 no doubt, but overall its i10!

Regards,

Ravi.

Rammee · 29th December 2007, 20:51

My vote goes to SX4 for simply setting up a new benchmark in C segment.

rajtheindian · 29th December 2007, 21:11

i10 a new design

it looks like a KIA PICANTO released in 2005, check this
http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-article.aspx?NA=217586

dhaval · 29th December 2007, 21:28

My vote goes for SX4...Good engine, exciting interiors, good looks, overall a vfm package.

I am sure the soon to be launched diesel version of the SX4 will be as much exciting as the petrol one. The i10 comes a close second.

elfhelm · 29th December 2007, 22:16

in my book its gotta go to the Swift DDiS. It brought the small diesel car out of the Indicab stereotype and showed that a diesel can be fun, stylish, refined, economical and yes, affordable. I test drove the Indica Diesel and somehow didnt ever want to drive another one again.
The Swift DDiS just blew me away and I booked on the spot - sadly cancelled now because of really really long waiting period when other diesels will be released.

Just look at the raft of small diesel cars in the pipeline like the Skoda Fabia, 1.3MJD Palio and New 1.3MJD Indica. I'm sure a huge factor in these cars coming into the market is the success of the Swift DDiS. That said, the SX4 is a fantastic car! When does it come out in Diesel?

Vid6639 · 29th December 2007, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajtheindian

i10 a new design

it looks like a KIA PICANTO released in 2005, check this
http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-article.aspx?NA=217586

Not really, the i10 is a new design grounds up. The kia picanto is actually the santro redesigned. The only similarity with the i10 is the kink in the rear door which is similar to the i10's.

burnt. · 29th December 2007, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajtheindian

i10 a new design

it looks like a KIA PICANTO released in 2005, check this
http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-article.aspx?NA=217586

The Kia Picanto is basically the Santro itself. And for your information Kia Motors is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motors

Cyrus43 · 29th December 2007, 22:55

my vote goes for the swift diesel...no doubt about it..

Raxx · 29th December 2007, 23:29

My vote goes for Swift DDIS.... IMHO its the best diesel car in its segment

HotChillyPepper · 30th December 2007, 02:09

i feel the list is not complete without Optra magnum. If you grill the spec throughly, it is beat many strong heads here. Will you please add Optra magnum LT to the poll ?

svel · 30th December 2007, 02:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhaval

My vote goes for SX4...Good engine, exciting interiors, good looks, overall a vfm package.

I am sure the soon to be launched diesel version of the SX4 will be as much exciting as the petrol one. The i10 comes a close second.

Are you sure? Many people say this is in fact one of the problems in SX4.

iraghava · 30th December 2007, 02:32

I too felt it was a close fight between the SX4 & the i10 but ultimately the i10 won! And I did put my money where my mouth is & am picking up an i10 for my mum in the next couple of days! So that's the car of the year for me!! Also, I pretty much agree with what Steeroid said about it, it is certainly going to change the dynamics of a segment where build quality & well finished interiors were never a point of importance.

Let's see how it turns out on a long term review though!

hellspawn · 30th December 2007, 03:22

my "vote goes for the SX4" because its absolute vfm.It has good space,great G.C,packed to the gill with luxury and safety features.
i wouldn't even think of the i10 to be considered because there is nothing groundbreaking about it apart from the gearshifter..the SX4 is pretty decently priced for the features that it has compared to its competitors whereas the i10 is almost a Santro except the interiors.the engine and the gearbox are from the santro.as far as the features are concerned,these are already on offer in the Zen Estilo,wagon r etc so nothing new there as well.And the i10 is priced almost in the swift territory so not at all vfm.

View Poll Results: COTY 2008
Chevrolet Spark	8	3.03%
Hyundai i10	51	19.32%
Mahindra Renault Logan	11	4.17%
Suzuki Grand Vitara	6	2.27%
Suzuki SX4	158	59.85%
Nissan Teana	4	1.52%
VW Passat	12	4.55%
Volvo s80	1	0.38%
Volov xc90	1	0.38%
BMW 3 series	7	2.65%
BMW 5 series	5	1.89%
Voters: 264. You may not vote on this poll

29th December 2007, 20:20	#31
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	I chose the i10 because it is the first to break the stereotype that small cars have to feel cheap, making it distinct in a sea of cheap hatches. It is also a very clever makeover of a volume-selling econobox that still looks very different! It takes courage to do something different when everyone else is following a tried and tested route. It was a close call with the SX4 (unlike BSM which manages to drag the Logan into everything!) which has also changed the groundrules in the C+ segment, but there is something called appeal and so I asked myself whether I would buy an SX4 if I were in that market - the answer was No, because I'd still buy a Fiesta 1.6 or a Verna CRDi. The i10, yes I would buy! Last edited by Steeroid : 29th December 2007 at 20:23.
	() Thanks

29th December 2007, 20:39	#32
sgmuser BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 755 Thanked: 1,124 Times View My Garage	It should be SX4 because, - it has shaken the segment - Great Deal and VFM. - Gem of an engine - Great handling in its segment (Based on a Fiat designed platform, what else you need!) - Features unheard in the segment (Auto Aircon, 16inch alloy wheels, Steering Wheel integrated Audio Controls, ABS, EBD, Air Bags) - Great Design - Excellent Driving View
	() Thanks

29th December 2007, 20:50	#33
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Hyundai i10 for sure is car of the year 2008 according to me, although SX4 fully loaded come close, If Maruti had come with better quality I would have voted for it. i10 is 2 steps forward in small cars because its first in its class in many aspects. If we think only VFM and economy its SX4 no doubt, but overall its i10! Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks

29th December 2007, 20:51	#34
Rammee BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 49 Thanked: 19 Times	My vote goes to SX4 for simply setting up a new benchmark in C segment.
	() Thanks

29th December 2007, 21:11	#35
rajtheindian BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Syracuse, US Posts: 247 Thanked: 7 Times	i10 a new design it looks like a KIA PICANTO released in 2005, check this http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-article.aspx?NA=217586
	() Thanks

29th December 2007, 21:28	#36
dhaval BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 404 Thanked: Once View My Garage	My vote goes for SX4...Good engine, exciting interiors, good looks, overall a vfm package. I am sure the soon to be launched diesel version of the SX4 will be as much exciting as the petrol one. The i10 comes a close second.
	() Thanks

29th December 2007, 22:16	#37
elfhelm BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Thane Posts: 113 Thanked: 0 Times	in my book its gotta go to the Swift DDiS. It brought the small diesel car out of the Indicab stereotype and showed that a diesel can be fun, stylish, refined, economical and yes, affordable. I test drove the Indica Diesel and somehow didnt ever want to drive another one again. The Swift DDiS just blew me away and I booked on the spot - sadly cancelled now because of really really long waiting period when other diesels will be released. Just look at the raft of small diesel cars in the pipeline like the Skoda Fabia, 1.3MJD Palio and New 1.3MJD Indica. I'm sure a huge factor in these cars coming into the market is the success of the Swift DDiS. That said, the SX4 is a fantastic car! When does it come out in Diesel?
	() Thanks

29th December 2007, 22:55	#40
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 221 Times View My Garage	my vote goes for the swift diesel...no doubt about it..
	() Thanks

29th December 2007, 23:29	#41
Raxx BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: chennai Posts: 56 Thanked: 3 Times	My vote goes for Swift DDIS.... IMHO its the best diesel car in its segment
	() Thanks

30th December 2007, 02:09	#42
HotChillyPepper BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bang_a_lore Posts: 628 Thanked: 289 Times View My Garage	i feel the list is not complete without Optra magnum. If you grill the spec throughly, it is beat many strong heads here. Will you please add Optra magnum LT to the poll ?
	() Thanks

30th December 2007, 02:32	#44
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	I too felt it was a close fight between the SX4 & the i10 but ultimately the i10 won! And I did put my money where my mouth is & am picking up an i10 for my mum in the next couple of days! So that's the car of the year for me!! Also, I pretty much agree with what Steeroid said about it, it is certainly going to change the dynamics of a segment where build quality & well finished interiors were never a point of importance. Let's see how it turns out on a long term review though!
	() Thanks

30th December 2007, 03:22	#45
hellspawn Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: noida Posts: 1,686 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (10)	my "vote goes for the SX4" because its absolute vfm.It has good space,great G.C,packed to the gill with luxury and safety features. i wouldn't even think of the i10 to be considered because there is nothing groundbreaking about it apart from the gearshifter..the SX4 is pretty decently priced for the features that it has compared to its competitors whereas the i10 is almost a Santro except the interiors.the engine and the gearbox are from the santro.as far as the features are concerned,these are already on offer in the Zen Estilo,wagon r etc so nothing new there as well.And the i10 is priced almost in the swift territory so not at all vfm.
	() Thanks