Expo time!

Also stealing the thunder was the benchmark B-segment launch from Hyundai, the Getz, that too with a CRDi engine.

Market leader Maruti-Suzuki enthralled show-goers with two brand new cars, the Ignis, which is a grown-up hatchback that can give the likes of the Hyundai Santro a run for its money, and the Liana, that would replace the ageing Esteem.

The two-wheeler giants were in no mood to be left behind too. Bajaj showed off a 250cc commuter and Suzuki unveiled their India-specific commuter bike "� a combination of the best scooter and motorcycle technology available with the firm.

Now, that is 'the' intro I had in mind when I came to Delhi to cover the Auto Expo 2004. Just to say I was disappointed will be the understatement of the new millennium.

Alas, Ratan Tata unveiled an Indica estate going by the name of Marina, Hyundai launched the CRDi variant of the Accent Viva, Maruti-Suzuki was showcasing concept hybrids and no production machines, Bajaj went to press with a brand new logo of all things, and Suzuki Motorcycles showed everything that they will not produce in India.

And that, dear reader, is on top of the disappointment of not seeing names such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Honda, Toyota, General Motors and Hero Honda on the list of participants.

Does that mean you should give the show a miss? Not really, but the organisers can do well by waiving off the visitor's fee of Rs 50 or at least make it Rs 25.

This time the Expo is like ordering a large pizza and getting delivery of a medium-sized one - it is still tasty but it leaves you hungry at the end of it.

But if you do brave the Delhi winter and decide to land up at Pragati Maidan, here is a list of machines that you should not miss (with so little on display, it is difficult to miss them, still).

A five crore car sounds a bit too much but DaimlerChrysler India thinks they can sell at least ten cars a year and have decided to launch the Maybach 62. Sadly, no one cared much for the more tangible Mercedes-Benzes on display "� like the gorgeous SL 500 and the staple E- and C-Class sedans.

Tata Motors have quietly unveiled what could be called the best looking Indica variant yet "� the new V2 has only a few subtle changes to its exterior and a nice new dials on the interior "� but overall the car looks stunningly fresh for a six-year old design.

The Indigo Marina which was unveiled for the Indian audience for the first time will take another year before it becomes a production reality.

Also do not miss the Indiva concept which rocked the Geneva Motor Show almost two years back. This minivan, based on the Indica platform, was built by I.de.A and has high-tech design touches such as a semi-targa roof and LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting fixtures. One only wishes that it gets produced.

Maruti Udyog had the Twin hybrid sensation which had show-goers wondering whether it would get built at Gurgaon. It sure is a cute-looking car but so is the Maini Reva electric car, which has not caught the fancy of the Indian buyer yet.

Maruti also decided to show a Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle (which incidentally is the fastest production bike in the world) alongside the compact formula sports racer powered by the same engine from the Hayabusa.

Hyundai is struggling to meet demand these days and though they have the right products, they are not in a position to launch them now. On display were cars like the Getz, Elantra (both destined for India), XG, Matrix and Tuscani Coupe. But the much awaited Accent Viva CRDi was unveiled at a huge press conference "� second only to the one addressed by Ratan Tata.

Bajaj Tempo had an interesting mix of new age MAN trucks badged Tempo and a few facelifted Trax variants "� some of them looking extremely handsome, capable and production-ready too. Audi was represented by one car and a rather hassled-looking gentleman.

The car in question was the brilliant TT coupe "� old hat as far as show circuits around the world go, but eye-candy in our country. The Audi rep couldn't handle the enthusiasm of people, and by the end of the first day, managed to tell us that they are still trying to find how and when to land the A6 and A8 sedans in India.

Skoda India put up a comprehensive show and actually had almost every car produced by its Czech parents "� they even had a WRC rally car, the B+ segment Fabia in two trims, the brilliant Tudor two-door coupe (hailed by many as the best looking Skoda ever) and of course the flagship Superb.

Nissan is entering the Indian market at last through the CBU route and the X-Trail SUV was shown at the Expo. The X-Trail has already gone through the homologation routine and can be yours if you have close to Rs 15 lakh to spare "� it is quite a capable alternative to the likes of the Honda CR-V indeed.

Truck major Ashok Leyland showcased their NewGen series of trucks, buses and an all-new breed of high performance Hino engines.

Hero Motors have tied up with Aprilia of Italy and that can only mean some serious excitement. The RSV 1000 R that was on display is hailed around the world as one of the best superbikes ever, and with luck, bike enthusiasts with Rs 5 lakh to spare will be able to own one soon.

LML launched an all new entrant in the exe-commuter market, the Graptor, which features an extruded steel frame "� an industry first. It would have been even nice if LML could engineer a mono-shock rear end instead of the traditional twin shocks though.

Hero Honda was absent but you could see how big they are in the hyper volume 100cc market today "� both Bajaj and TVS unveiled bikes or revealed plans to counter the good old Hero Honda Splendor.

Bajaj wants to change the market and offer buyers more performance-oriented bikes while TVS, with the Centra, has decided to follow the leader. The Centra has a laid-down engine like the Splendor's, and offers 'fill it only once a month' kind of efficiency.

That, in a nutshell, was what's happening at the Auto Expo 2004 as far as cars, bikes and commercial vehicles were concerned.

As for me, I am returning to the Expo "� only to get a close look at the amazing number of vintage and classic cars and two-wheelers on display at Hall 15 - those old Mustangs, Corvettes and Lambrettas promise more than the shiny new stuff, I hear. Sigh.