The biggest car launches of 2014

The year 2014 that began with the biennial automotive show witnessed the launch of a wide range of cars targeted at masses. While Maruti launched its first new sedan car in seven years, Honda introduced its first MPV in 2014. Here is our list of the biggest car launches of the year 2014.Maruti Suzuki CelerioThe car offers automatic gear shift at an affordable price. From various angles the Celerio brings to mind the Toyota Etios Liva, especially that smiling grille with the twin smiling slats flanking the Suzuki logo. The car is available in India at Rs 3.90 lakh onwards.Hyundai XcentChallenging the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and Honda Amaze, Hyundai launched its compact sedan - Xcent - at a starting price of Rs 4.66 lakh, ex-Delhi. The Hyundai Xcent, which is based on the Grand i10, is a replacement of the Accent sedan which was discontinued last year. Tata ZestThe prices for Tata's compact sedan start at Rs 4.64 lakh for petrol and Rs 5.64 lakh for diesel. In a departure from previous models, the Tata Zest boasts user-friendly features such as touch-screen control panels. Maruti Suzuki CiazMaruti Suzuki India this year launched its first new sedan car in seven years, in a bid to break into a segment where it has previously had little success. With the Ciaz, Maruti aims to take a second stab at a segment in which its SX4 sedan, launched in 2007, has faced tough competition from rivals, including Honda and Hyundai, and lagged. in sales. It costs Rs 6.99 lakh onwards.Nissan Datsun GoNissan Motor started to sell its resurrected Datsun brand in India from this year. Aimed at tapping the first-time car buyers, the Datsun Go hatchback was priced at Rs 3.12 lakh. The Go has a stylish exterior and easily has one of the most appealing designs in the entry-level hatchback segment. Honda MobilioHonda's first MPV Mobilio is built on the extended platform of the Brio, which it shares with the Amaze. It is a seven seater with captain seats in the middle row which can be slided for easy entry into the last bench. The Mobilio MPV is available in four variants with prices starting from Rs 6.49 lakh (for S trim) all the way to Rs 10.86 lakh (applicable for the RS diesel trim) ex-Delhi.Toyota Etios CrossBased on the Liva hatchback, the Etios Cross is Toyota's compact crossover. Its exterior has been given a more rugged look by the addition of plastic cladding to the sides and wheel arches, beefed up bumpers, skid plates, bull bar and roof rails. It was launched at Rs 5.76 lakh, ex-Delhi.Hyundai Elite i20Hyundai's premium compact car Elite i20 competes with the likes of Maruti Suzuki's Swift and Volkswagen Polo. The company launched the Elite i20 at Rs 4.89 lakh ex-Delhi, with the top spec diesel variant priced at Rs 7.67 lakh.Audi A3 sedanAudi is betting big on this model to stretch its leadership in the Indian market. The company launched its new A3 sedan priced between Rs 22.95 lakh and Rs 32.66 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Fiat AvventuraThe Avventura is basically a hopped up Punto, just like Volkswagen's Cross Polo and Toyota's Etios Cross. This compact sports utility vehicle in available in both petrol and diesel versions. The petrol variants are priced between Rs 6.06 lakh and Rs 7.15 lakh, while the diesel variants are priced between Rs 6.99 lakh and Rs 8.30 lakh.

Toyota Corolla AltisToyota launched an all new version of its premium sedan Corolla Altis priced between Rs 11.99 lakh and Rs 16.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It was unveiled in February at the Auto Expo 2014 and is the 11th generation of the Corolla model.