Petrolheads ahoy! Here’s to a new set of wheels

Whoever said money doesn't buy happiness mustn’t have sat inside a luxury sedan. These cars are stunning, outlandish, and are the stuff of dreams. Not just hallmarks of comfort, these cars encapsulate that feeling of having arrived. That after all the hard work, success is no longer a distant ship on the horizon, but is something tangible.

All five luxury cars listed here are defined by cutting edge engineering, design, and performance.

For long, India was not considered a viable market for such cars. That isn’t the case any longer. And the growth of a new affluent class is the reason behind this phenomenon.

According to a recent report by Kotak Wealth, the total number of ultra high-net-worth households (with a minimum net worth of ₹25 crore) in India reached 160,600 in 2017. This is expected to double by 2022, giving a huge playground for luxury cars to thrive in the massive Indian market.

Porsche Taycan

Taycan, Porsche’s first electric vehicle, will come to India in mid-2021. This four-door, coupé-style electric sedan features a direct drive electric motor at the front, and the rear axle is connected to a 2-speed gearbox. Porsche will roll out the first three Taycan models, comprising the 4S, Turbo, and Turbo S. The fastest model in the range, the Turbo S, accelerates from 0-100 km/hr in just 2.8 seconds. Equipped with the performance battery plus, the Taycan 4S leads with a capacity of up to 463 km.

BMW X5 Competition

BMW India launched the all-new BMW X5 M Competition in late November at an ex-showroom price of ₹1.94 crore. This beauty comes with the latest-generation V8 engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, with a racetrack-proven cooling system. The engines can reach a peak power of 600 hp, and the car can go from 0-100 km/hr in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/hr. The car first premiered at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2019.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine

First showcased at the Auto Expo 2020, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine was touted to be launched soon after, but then the pandemic struck. This beast comes equipped with the latest MBUX system, panoramic sunroof, all LED lighting, cruise control, widescreen display, and dual-zone climate control. At a price expected to start at ₹40 lakh, the A-Class Limousine is the company’s most affordable sedan. The new model is all set to replace the Mercedes CLA in the brand’s line-up. In India, this model will be seen as the brand’s starting point for the customer.

Volvo S60

The S60 is designed to spoil you with its features. It boasts of a robust touchscreen infotainment system, Harman Kardon sound system, 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and much, much more.

Audi S5 Sportback

Soon to be launched in India, the Audi S5 Sportback is expected to cross the price level of ₹1 crore in the domestic market. This is the company’s third ‘performance-oriented’ car in a row, after the RS 7 and the RS Q8. The S5 Sportback will be powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine producing 349 bhp and 500 Nm of torque. Audi is all set to launch the Sportback’s new avatar in the Indian market. The model is making a comeback after 2017, and boasts of a 10.1-inch touchscreen for the all-new infotainment setup, along with a flat-bottom steering wheel.

(This story first appeared in Fortune India's January 2021 issue.)