Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to access exclusive content and expert insights.

subscribe now subscribe cover image
Aninda Sardar profile imageAninda SardarPublished on

From pure luxury to outright performance, there’s at least one set of wheels for every type of petrolhead

10 cars that need to be on your auto radar in 2022

From pure luxury to outright performance, there’s at least one set of wheels for every type of petrolhead

While most cars will take you from home to work to meetings to parties and back, moving in complete sync with your lifestyle, they may not quite move your soul. For that, you’ll need something special. Thankfully, 2022 seems to be richly laden with soul-moving wheels, ripe for the picking. So we trawled the worldwide auto web and handpicked ten cars that you absolutely want in that dream garage.

Audi Q7 Driving straight from Ingolstadt, Germany, at ₹79.9 lakh, ex-showroom, the Q7 is the weapon that Audi hopes will take down the mighty BMW X5, the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Land Rover Discovery and the Volvo XC 90. Its brand new look is a tad subtler than earlier, even though the Matrix LED headlamps with dynamic turn signals continue to be part of its visage. Under the bonnet is a three-litre V6 TFSI turbo-petrol pelting out 335bhp and 500Nm of torque–enough to get to 100kmph in 5.9 seconds and then to a limited top speed of 250. Thedashboard includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment and an 8.6-inch touchscreen for climate-control functions. It’s loaded to the gills and will add a tidy sum to your bragging rights too.

Audi Q7

Driving straight from Ingolstadt, Germany, at ₹79.9 lakh, ex-showroom, the Q7 is the weapon that Audi hopes will take down the mighty BMW X5, the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Land Rover Discovery and the Volvo XC 90. Its brand new look is a tad subtler than earlier, even though the Matrix LED headlamps with dynamic turn signals continue to be part of its visage. Under the bonnet is a three-litre V6 TFSI turbo-petrol pelting out 335bhp and 500Nm of torque–enough to get to 100kmph in 5.9 seconds and then to a limited top speed of 250. Thedashboard includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment and an 8.6-inch touchscreen for climate-control functions. It’s loaded to the gills and will add a tidy sum to your bragging rights too.

BMW M4 CompetitionThree litres spread over six cylinders packed in a straight line with some turbocharging and mated to an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission, producing 650Nm and 502 slipping and sliding horses–all yours for ₹1.44 crore. This is a mind-boggling array of numbers from BMW, aiming straight for the heart of the Audi RS5 Sportback. Nought to 100 takes just 3.5 seconds, and for the first time in an M car, there is AWD (All-Wheel Drive). Instrumentation is a 12.3-inch digital piece with BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional and 3D navigation, while the infotainment system is via a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Other features include a head-up display, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon music system, adaptive headlamps with laser tech and three chassis modes. Part with some extra cash and you could get gesture control and the BMW Drive Recorder, among other things.

BMW M4 Competition

Three litres spread over six cylinders packed in a straight line with some turbocharging and mated to an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission, producing 650Nm and 502 slipping and sliding horses–all yours for ₹1.44 crore. This is a mind-boggling array of numbers from BMW, aiming straight for the heart of the Audi RS5 Sportback. Nought to 100 takes just 3.5 seconds, and for the first time in an M car, there is AWD (All-Wheel Drive).


Instrumentation is a 12.3-inch digital piece with BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional and 3D navigation, while the infotainment system is via a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Other features include a head-up display, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon music system, adaptive headlamps with laser tech and three chassis modes. Part with some extra cash and you could get gesture control and the BMW Drive Recorder, among other things.

Lamborghini Huracan EVOThis is the one where you go brrapp! There’s a 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 that pumps out a howling 602bhp and 560Nm. Get it on song, and you’ll punch a hole in the air on your way to a top speed of 324kmph, via the 100kmph marker, of course, which comes up in just 3.4 seconds for the hardtop and 3.5 seconds in the topless Spyder version. This raging bull gets an aluminium-carbon fibre hybrid chassis matched with double wishbone suspension and MagneRide electronic dampers. A specially calibrated traction control system makes sure that you’re well within the safety net, no matter the setting. Yours for ₹3.22 crore, ex-showroom if you want the hardtop and ₹3.54 crore if you want the soft top.

Lamborghini Huracan EVO

This is the one where you go brrapp! There’s a 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 that pumps out a howling 602bhp and 560Nm. Get it on song, and you’ll punch a hole in the air on your way to a top speed of 324kmph, via the 100kmph marker, of course, which comes up in just 3.4 seconds for the hardtop and 3.5 seconds in the topless Spyder version. This raging bull gets an aluminium-carbon fibre hybrid chassis matched with double wishbone suspension and MagneRide electronic dampers. A specially calibrated traction control system makes sure that you’re well within the safety net, no matter the setting. Yours for ₹3.22 crore, ex-showroom if you want the hardtop and ₹3.54 crore if you want the soft top.

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63S Mercedes-AMG now has a new GLE 63S with 603bhp and a tarmac-shredding 850Nm to offer from its four-litre twin-turbo V8. All that power and torque is sent to the wheels via a nine-speed auto gearbox. There is also a 48V EQ boost system adding 20bhp and 250Nm to the kitty for the first time ever. Nought to 100 is dispatched in 3.8 seconds, and this SUV-coupé has a top speed of 280kmph. The AMG GLE 63S isn’t short on luxury either, with Nappa leather seats, a widescreen cockpit, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging and then some more kit to keep you happy for the ₹2.07 crore, ex-showroom, that Merc-AMG will relieve you of.

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63S


Mercedes-AMG now has a new GLE 63S with 603bhp and a tarmac-shredding 850Nm to offer from its four-litre twin-turbo V8. All that power and torque is sent to the wheels via a nine-speed auto gearbox. There is also a 48V EQ boost system adding 20bhp and 250Nm to the kitty for the first time ever. Nought to 100 is dispatched in 3.8 seconds, and this SUV-coupé has a top speed of 280kmph. The AMG GLE 63S isn’t short on luxury either, with Nappa leather seats, a widescreen cockpit, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging and then some more kit to keep you happy for the ₹2.07 crore, ex-showroom, that Merc-AMG will relieve you of.

Mercedes-Benz EQS This electrifying entrant is expected to be in India from Stuttgart in the final quarter of 2022, and when it does arrive, expect the world to be shocked. The company claims a range of an unheard-of 770km on a single charge for this zero-emission, all-electric vehicle. The grapevine suggests that there will be two versions on offer—an EQS 450 equipped with a rear axle-mounted electric motor that puts out 334hp and 458Nm and an EQS 580 with a motor on each axle for a combined output of 532hp and 856Nm. Mercedes says that the EQS’ drag coefficient of 0.20 is better than that of the Tesla Model S, and while that may be the subject of some debate, the fact remains that the EQS has superb aerodynamic efficiency. Expect two more things from this car when it comes here–silent refinement for a brand that already offers some very sophisticated equipment, and litres and litres of space.

Mercedes-Benz EQS


This electrifying entrant is expected to be in India from Stuttgart in the final quarter of 2022, and when it does arrive, expect the world to be shocked. The company claims a range of an unheard-of 770km on a single charge for this zero-emission, all-electric vehicle. The grapevine suggests that there will be two versions on offer—an EQS 450 equipped with a rear axle-mounted electric motor that puts out 334hp and 458Nm and an EQS 580 with a motor on each axle for a combined output of 532hp and 856Nm. Mercedes says that the EQS’ drag coefficient of 0.20 is better than that of the Tesla Model S, and while that may be the subject of some debate, the fact remains that the EQS has superb aerodynamic efficiency. Expect two more things from this car when it comes here–silent refinement for a brand that already offers some very sophisticated equipment, and litres and litres of space.

Mercedes-Maybach S Class Limousine Short of a Rolls-Royce, this model is the pinnacle of luxury. If you thought the Mercedes-Benz S Class is long and stately, this is even longer (by a full 180mm) and statelier. That also means a larger rear door making getting in and out of that swanky-as-hell cabin easier than ever. The lithe silhouette is unmistakably S Class, but one look at that grille and the badge on the C-pillar–just behind the rear windscreen–and you know this is far above the paygrade of a regular Merc. And that’s saying something because we all know just how special a regular wearer of the three-pointed star can be. Expect a couple of options—an S 580 with a 503hp and 700Nm 4-litre V8 and an S 680 with a 612hp and 900Nm six-litre V12. Both will, of course, benefit from the legendary S Class air-ride suspension that keeps the bottom separated from the undulations of the blacktop underneath the wheels. Pricing? Between ₹2.5 crore and ₹3.2 crore. Not a whole lot, is it?.

Mercedes-Maybach S Class Limousine

Short of a Rolls-Royce, this model is the pinnacle of luxury. If you thought the Mercedes-Benz S Class is long and stately, this is even longer (by a full 180mm) and statelier. That also means a larger rear door making getting in and out of that swanky-as-hell cabin easier than ever. The lithe silhouette is unmistakably S Class, but one look at that grille and the badge on the C-pillar–just behind the rear windscreen–and you know this is far above the paygrade of a regular Merc. And that’s saying something because we all know just how special a regular wearer of the three-pointed star can be. Expect a couple of options—an S 580 with a 503hp and 700Nm 4-litre V8 and an S 680 with a 612hp and 900Nm six-litre V12. Both will, of course, benefit from the legendary S Class air-ride suspension that keeps the bottom separated from the undulations of the blacktop underneath the wheels. Pricing? Between ₹2.5 crore and ₹3.2 crore. Not a whole lot, is it?.

MINI Cooper SE Want that iconic go-kart-like driving experience but with the lowest possible carbon footprint? The first-ever all-electric MINI Cooper SE, launched in February, offers just that. The compact lifestyle choice will now feature a 148hp electric motor and a range of around 250km, give or take 20. While you will get traditional MINI features like the round headlamps and the Union Jack-themed LED tail-lamps, you will also get some of the new features, such as a blacked-out grille, an E badge and a redesigned rear bumper. To make sure the battery pack doesn’t get a proper scraping, the car now sits 15mm higher than before. All of this, for ₹47.2 lakh. Given how cool the MINI has always been, this one promises to be positively electric!

MINI Cooper SE


Want that iconic go-kart-like driving experience but with the lowest possible carbon footprint? The first-ever all-electric MINI Cooper SE, launched in February, offers just that. The compact lifestyle choice will now feature a 148hp electric motor and a range of around 250km, give or take 20. While you will get traditional MINI features like the round headlamps and the Union Jack-themed LED tail-lamps, you will also get some of the new features, such as a blacked-out grille, an E badge and a redesigned rear bumper. To make sure the battery pack doesn’t get a proper scraping, the car now sits 15mm higher than before. All of this, for ₹47.2 lakh. Given how cool the MINI has always been, this one promises to be positively electric!

Porsche 911 Two and a half crores, ex-showroom. That’s what you will need to part with if you’re keen on getting one of the most iconic nameplates in the automotive world into your garage. It is the asking price for the new-generation Porsche 911 launched in India recently. And no, it doesn’t look the same. In fact, in the new-gen 911, there’s a new bumper with larger air intakes and a four-way adjustable splitter. There are vents in the hood as aero-aids, and there’s a new diffuser at the back. It’s also wider than it has ever been. All of this adds up to 385 kilos of downforce to keep you glued to the corner when you’re hell-bent on clipping the apex at full gallop. Speaking of which, the 503bhp four–litre flat-six, mated either to a seven-speed PDK transmission or a six-speed manual, can push this one past 100kmph in 3.4 seconds (3.9 seconds in the Touring edition) and on to 318kmph.

Porsche 911


Two and a half crores, ex-showroom. That’s what you will need to part with if you’re keen on getting one of the most iconic nameplates in the automotive world into your garage. It is the asking price for the new-generation Porsche 911 launched in India recently. And no, it doesn’t look the same. In fact, in the new-gen 911, there’s a new bumper with larger air intakes and a four-way adjustable splitter. There are vents in the hood as aero-aids, and there’s a new diffuser at the back. It’s also wider than it has ever been. All of this adds up to 385 kilos of downforce to keep you glued to the corner when you’re hell-bent on clipping the apex at full gallop. Speaking of which, the 503bhp four–litre flat-six, mated either to a seven-speed PDK transmission or a six-speed manual, can push this one past 100kmph in 3.4 seconds (3.9 seconds in the Touring edition) and on to 318kmph.

Porsche Cayenne Platinum If you’re not happy with your regular Porsche Cayenne that might not feel so exclusive anymore, you can head to the showroom and get this instead. The Porsche Cayenne Platinum Edition was launched for ₹1.49 crore, ex-showroom. There are four variants to choose from, but the fact that this is a very special Porsche is evident from any one of them. In this one, some exterior elements get a satin platinum paint job, black window surrounds and 21-inch RS Spyder Design alloys along with brushed aluminium door sills. You can choose between a regular internal combustion engine or a hybrid powertrain. You get the same three-litre V6 turbo diesel that puts out 335bhp and 450Nm of peak torque, but in the hybrid version, there’s also a 100kW electric motor that pitches in to raise those figures to 455bhp and 700Nm.

Porsche Cayenne Platinum

If you’re not happy with your regular Porsche Cayenne that might not feel so exclusive anymore, you can head to the showroom and get this instead. The Porsche Cayenne Platinum Edition was launched for ₹1.49 crore, ex-showroom. There are four variants to choose from, but the fact that this is a very special Porsche is evident from any one of them. In this one, some exterior elements get a satin platinum paint job, black window surrounds and 21-inch RS Spyder Design alloys along with brushed aluminium door sills. You can choose between a regular internal combustion engine or a hybrid powertrain. You get the same three-litre V6 turbo diesel that puts out 335bhp and 450Nm of peak torque, but in the hybrid version, there’s also a 100kW electric motor that pitches in to raise those figures to 455bhp and 700Nm.

Range Rover This is what some say will be the anathema to Rolls-Royce’s Cullinan. Honestly, we don’t really know. And we don’t really care because in the world of extra-large SUVs, the Range Rover is right at the top. It is loaded with presence, and nothing can match it for its combination of comfort, luxury and driving pleasure, not to mention outright capability. The 2022 Range Rover sports a brand new design that harks back to its legacy but can still offer a distinct freshness. The materials used have changed too, for greater longevity, without losing the aesthetic appeal and the feel of luxury. There’s air suspension attached to independent double wishbones up front and a five-link axle at the rear on the tech front. As for powertrain options, we’ll have to wait until the launch to hear about what you can buy in India.

Range Rover

This is what some say will be the anathema to Rolls-Royce’s Cullinan. Honestly, we don’t really know. And we don’t really care because in the world of extra-large SUVs, the Range Rover is right at the top. It is loaded with presence, and nothing can match it for its combination of comfort, luxury and driving pleasure, not to mention outright capability. The 2022 Range Rover sports a brand new design that harks back to its legacy but can still offer a distinct freshness. The materials used have changed too, for greater longevity, without losing the aesthetic appeal and the feel of luxury. There’s air suspension attached to independent double wishbones up front and a five-link axle at the rear on the tech front. As for powertrain options, we’ll have to wait until the launch to hear about what you can buy in India.

Also Read: Are you ready to switch to e-cars?

Also Read: The most iconic watches on every watch lover's list

Also Read: You can now buy a super-computer on wheels

Read Next

Subscribe for More

Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to access exclusive content and expert insights.

subscribe now
subscribe cover image