On offer would be everything from haute hatchbacks and green tech hybrids to adrenalin-dripping super premium luxe models. Not to mention the world’s cheapest automobile, the Rs 1 lakh people’s car from Tata Motors. As usual, the biggest action will be in the small car market where global best-sellers will rub shoulders with locally-developed tarmac scorchers. Maruti Suzuki will kick off the action with its Splash and A-Star concept, though the latter would be a predominantly export model. In the premium hatchback category, the Swift, Getz, U-VA troika will face competition from the likes of the Skoda Fabia and the Fiat Grande Punto, though all eyes would definitely be on the Rs 1-lakh car.

The mid-size market would sizzle too with debutantes like the i20 from Hyundai, Logan-spawned Sandero from Renault, the Jetta from Volkswagen and the Linea from Fiat. Add to that the Swift sedan and the new launches cover every price point in that segment. The Fiat Bravo and the Mistubishi Lancer Gallant will keep the debut buzz alive and kicking in the mid-size premium segment. But some of the sexiest newcomers next year will be 4×4 muscle-flexers. While Mitsubishi is all set to bring along its Outlander sports utility vehicle (SUV), GM will roll out its Captiva, Hyundai the Santa Fe and BMW the X6. So if you like your vehicle BIG and MACHO, you’ll have plenty to choose from next year. In the luxe car space too there will be plenty of action with the all new C Class from Daimler and the BMW M5 & M6 expected to be the star eye candies. Of course, Indian car majors have lined up a range of locally developed beauties — including both new platform products as well as makeover versions.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), for instance, will launch its new multi-utility vehicle Ingenio while Tata Motors will roll out the next generation Sumo and the new pick-up truck Xenon (besides the Rs 1-lakh car). Current best-sellers like the Santro, Indica and Toyota Innova will also see an alternative avatar thanks to the growing demand for CNG/LPG options. At the higher price bracket, several hybrid options will debut, including the Honda Civic, Tata Indica and M&M Scorpio SUV. Okay so there will a rush of new models; but will they be affordable? More or less.

Car makers are eyeing the big excitement generated by these new launches to grab incremental sales in a market that hasn’t been too perky this year. Which means every debutante will pack in better quality and features at an attractive price to grab the most eyeballs and footfalls. And that would include both international models as well as the locally developed lineup. Some of these cars will premier in India first, like the recently-launched Hyundai i10 and Maruti SX4.

As increasing competition force car makers to bring latest launches to this market, the first premiered in India tag will become a common one. The 1.4 million unit strong Indian passenger car market will display more than 100 potential models at the Auto Expo in January though many of them are slated for an entry beyond 2008.

The all-new W221 was introduced in the autumn of 2005 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, with export to other markets beginning in 2006. The W221 S-Class made its North American premiere at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. The latest S-Class is slightly larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, and it features a more luxurious, Maybach like appearance, as well as three newly developed engines with up to 26% power increase. The interior is completely new, all materials have been upgraded and make for a more luxurious ride, and the center-mounted transmission has been replaced with a column-shifter.

Models sold in North America are the S450 (2008-,SWB and Canada only), S550, S600, S63 AMG and S65 AMG; other models to be sold outside North America include the S350, S300, S420 CDI and S320 CDI. The first W221 model released in North America and Japan was the S550 (called S500 outside North America and Japan), with the S600 arriving in the following spring. Notable features on the W221 include: the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission (standard, except on V12 engines, where the 5-speed Sequentronic is used as the 7-speed cannot handle the power of the AMG V12). 4MATIC four wheel drive arrived in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The brakes continue to become more advanced with the new Brake Assist Plus system monitoring for an impending collision and increasing braking if needed, while the Distronic Plus cruise control can now bring the car to a complete stop.
This system works in outdoor conditions; a test demonstration by Mercedes-Benz in a crash-test hall resulted in embarrassment for the company when a new S-Class crashed into the back of a stationary W220 S-Class, an incident later attributed to radar-confusing steel in this hall.

In 2007, Automobile Magazine named the W221 S-Class as one of its 2007 “All-Stars” over rivals from Lexus and BMW,and Car and Driver selected the S550 as the winner in a five-way comparison test of flagship luxury sedans.The W221 S-Class was also the recipient of several other motoring awards.
Engines
The W221 S-Class features a similar number and variety of engine choices as the previous generation W220 S-Class. The current lineup of gasoline engines includes a 3.5L V6 with 268 hp in the S350, and two V8 selections: the 4.6 L, 335 hp V8 in the S450, and the 5.5, 383 hp V8 in the S500/S550. Turbo diesel V6 options include 3.0L 235 hp and 4.0L 310hp variants in the respective S320 and S420 CDI models.

The twin-turbo V12 S600 returns with the W221 generation, and features a 5.5L twin-turbo V12 with an output of 510 hp. Two high-performance S-Class AMG models are currently offered: the S63 AMG with a 6.2L, 525 hp V8, and the chart-topping S65 AMG with a 6.0L, twin-turbo V12 producing 612 hp.

Safety
Mercedes Benz has traditionally introduced its safety innovations in the S-Class. For instance, the S-Class was the first car in Europe to incorporate airbags. S-Class safety features include the following innovations in active safety (accident avoidance), passive safety (collision protection), and holistic safety (integration of both active and passive safety features):

Active safety: ABS braking in 1978 (acts to reduce braking distances and improve stopping control; co-developed with Bosche); traction control and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in 1995 (improves driver control during difficult road conditions); and Brake Assist (provides full braking power during emergency stops). In 2005, a new infrared night vision feature was introduced (improves visibility during nighttime conditions). Despite the popular misconception, the S-Class was not the first car fitted with ABS braking technology, although some credit can be given for popularizing this now largely standard feature (ABS was initially an option on most models of the W126 S-Class).

Passive safety: crumple zones in 1957 (vehicle body structure absorbs the force of impact); three-point seatbelts in 1965 (provides additional torso/body protection); collapsible steering column (prevents the steering column from protruding into the cabin during accidents), strengthened occupant cell enhanced occupant protection during severe impacts, rollovers); pre-accident seatbelt tensioning (tightens seatbelts prior to impact), and sandwich platforms (allows the engine the slide under the occupants in a head-on collision).

PRE-SAFE, Mercedes-Benz’s holistic safety feature, was introduced on the S-Class in 2002. PRE-SAFE integrates multiple active and passive safety features for a “safety net” approach to vehicle safety by attempting to prevent accidents; if accidents do occur, PRE-SAFE aims to reduce occupant injury. In the latest version of this pre-collision system, PRE-SAFE will prime the brake assist system, lock the doors to prevent accidental opening during the accident, adjust the seats, close the windows and sunroof, and tighten seatbelts during certain types of collisions. In the event an accident results in a roll over, the “PRE-SAFE” feature unlock the doors and lower the windows approximately one half an inch to allow you to exit or safety workers to gain access easily.

The A5 is Audi’s brand-new full-size coupe, while the S5 version is all dressed up and ready to go — and it’s fierce. My test car was a metallic charcoal color with beautiful red leather seats. Even a mundane trip to the pediatrician’s office elicited a conversation about the Audi, when the doctor walked in and asked, “Is that your S5?” I tried not to sound like someone who’d watched too many “Project Runway” marathons in answering, “Why, yes, it is. Isn’t it beautiful?” We were both smitten with the car, and he even went outside to take a gander. He loved the way the red seats looked rich and deep (his words, dear readers — because I know you were thinking that red leather usually looks cheap and shallow). We both liked the daytime running lights — which are actually LEDs — that line up in a sultry sneer. (My words, which I kept to myself. I didn’t think I should say “sultry” to our pediatrician.) On and on we chatted, cutting into another patient’s time, I’m sure.

So, yes, this car is beautiful. “But Sara,” you say, “is it functional? Do the Latch connectors work?” Yes, friends, they do. And you know what I like most about them? They’re out there for everyone to see, as if the S5 were proclaiming, “I have Latch connectors, and I’m to die for!” It may only be a two-door, but it’s extremely easy for my kids (both of them booster-seat age) to get in and out of the S5. There’s a button that slides the front seat up automatically and a lever that tilts the seatback forward, both of which are incredibly easy for little hands to use. The seats afford some view out the back windows, though it’s not a spanning vista — more like an airplane window. There’s even room in the middle for them to fold down a center console that features hidden cupholders and a little area they can stash some goodies in. The real surprise, though, is the trunk space. It’s quite ample; a full load of groceries fit along with two backpacks from school. There’s one good cupholder in the front and another that’s too small to house anything larger than a Red Bull.

The practicality isn’t limited to the interior. I took my son to a birthday party in a full-blown blizzard in the S5, and she didn’t bat an eyelash; Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system was spectacular. Everyone else was all over the place on the slippery, slushy roads, but I cruised right through like someone who’d had the red carpet cleared for them to saunter down. Even with this car’s stunning 19-inch wheels and skinny tires, we were golden. I was stunned, and very pleasantly surprised.

One last sexy thing I need to mention about the S5 is its engine. I know we’re not all gearheads here, but it’s worth noting that the S5 comes with a V-8 engine that rumbles so fabulously it makes me giggle when I rev it. This is a super-fast car with nimble handling, and I had a blast taking it on extended drives in search of curvy roads.

As long as your family isn’t too big, the S5 could be your family car. You could make it work in everyday use, and you’d be rewarded for your efforts by the fact that it’s simply a pleasure to be in. Ideally, though, this car is more of a quintessential second car. It’s a beautiful, flexible performer, and because of that you may want to pamper it just a bit, like those Louboutin heels. If you owned a pair, you wouldn’t want to trash them. You’d respect the shoe, just like I respect the S5 and would attempt to keep her as pristine as possible. If I had the good fortune to own one, that is.