50 new cars expected in 2013

The Maruti Suzuki A-Star will get a minor facelift and is expected to be launched in March 2013. Prices might be revised downwards to boost sales.

 

GM's hot seller in India will get cosmetic updates. The 2013 Beat will be launched in April and looks sharper than before.

 

The Toyota Etios Liva Sport will draw power from Etios sedan's 1.5-litre 89 BHP petrol engine. It is expected to hit showrooms in April 2013.

Volkswagen will launch quite a few variants of the Polo in 2013 including more powerful engines - 1.2 TSI petrol and 1.6 TDI diesel.

 

Fiat will launch the upgraded Punto Evo by June 2013. It has changes to both the exteriors and interiors but mechanicals are expected to remain the same.

 

The stunning A-Class is already a success in Europe. The vehicle will be launched in May 2013 and will become the entry-level Mercedes vehicle in India.

 

The new Volkswagen Beetle was showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo. It features various changes and will be brought in as a CBU model.

 

The next generation Hyundai i10 will be bigger than the current one. It will be launched by the end of 2013 and could feature a 1.1-litre diesel engine.

 

The Cross Polo is Volkswagen's temporary answer to compact SUVs till the Taigun arrives in India. This vehicle will be priced around Rs. 10 lakhs.

 

The 1-Series will become the entry-level BMW in India, when it is launched late next year. It will be locally assembled at BMW's Chennai facility.

 

Tata Motors will launch the diesel Nano by the end of 2013. The Nano diesel will be priced around Rs. 2.5 lakhs and will easily be the most frugal car in the country.

 

BMW will give its MINI, diesel power next year. This will make the MINI Cooper more desirable, with increased mileage and lower running costs.

 

Honda's first diesel car in India, the Amaze is a sub 4-metre sedan which will take on Maruti Suzuki's Swift DZire.

 

Tata Motors will fill the gap between the Indigo CS and Manza by launching a sub 4-metre Manza by September 2013. It will be powered by a 1.3-litre diesel engine.

 

GM will launch the sedan version of the Sail early next year. This Chevy will be powered by petrol and diesel engines and will be priced between Rs. 6.5 - 8 lakhs.

 

The Nissan Sunny will get a CVT automatic gearbox. It will be powered by the same 1.5-litre petrol engine which does duty in the current Sunny.

 

Skoda will give minor styling changes to the Superb. The vehicle will continue to use the same set of engines as it does currently.

 

Renault will give the Scala an automatic gearbox as well. This will be the same CVT unit which will first debut on the Sunny AT.

 

After the launch of the S4, Audi plans to launch the S6 in India, which is a performance version of the A6.

Mercedes-Benz will launch a minor facelift of the E-Class by mid-2013. Changes are mainly cosmetic.

 

The new Honda Accord will be launched in India by May 2013. It will still not get a diesel engine.

 

The facelifted BMW 7-Series will be launched in India next year. It will also become the most expensive car to be locally assembled in India.

 

Fiat will launch the Linea facelift in the last quarter of 2013. The vehicle will get minor changes to the exteriors.

 

Jaguar will launch the XJ Ultimate early next year. This vehicle will cost in excess of Rs. 1.2 crore and will be even more luxurious.

 

The Ford Fiesta received a facelift recently, which will go on sale in India by November 2013. The front is inspired from Aston Martin cars.

 

Honda's popular City will finally get a 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine by the end of next year. This engine will boost sales of the City drastically.

 

Mahindra's sub 4-metre Verito will benefit from lower excise duties. It will be launched early next year and will be powered by a 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine.

 

Jaguar will give the XF a new 4-cylinder 2.2-litre diesel engine, which will help it to compete with the German trio on pricing.

 

The first Skoda to be built on VW's new MQB platform, the Octavia III will be bigger than the current Laura, which it replaces.

 

Renault will give the Duster 4-wheel drive by the end of next year. This will be offered on the top of the line 110 BHP diesel variant.

 

BMW will launch the X1 facelift early next year. The vehicle gets a new 8-speed automatic gearbox.

 

The new Honda CR-V will be launched with a petrol engine only. It features improvements in many areas but no diesel for India yet.

 

The most awaited car in India, the Ford EcoSport will be launched with both petrol and diesel engines in 2013. It will be priced aggressively.

 

Audi will launch the facelifted Q5 next year. The vehicle gets minor cosmetic updates along with slight revisions to the interiors.

 

The sharp looking Santa Fe gets the Fluidic treatment. Hyundai will offer very powerful engines on this SUV.

 

The Volvo V40 Cross Country will rival the BMW X1. It will be priced around Rs. 28 lakhs and will be launched early next year.

 

Force Motors will launch the new Gurkha Trax. This vehicle measure less than 4-metres in length and will be powered by a Mercedes engine.

 

Land Rover will launch the mildly updated Freelander 2 by May 2013. It will feature many changes to the interiors.

 

It is Nissan's time to re-badge Renault cars. The company will launch the Duster based SUV, which will share most of its parts with Renault's Duster. Mahindra will launch a thoroughly improved Thar, which will get better interiors along with a new diesel engine. The new Ford Endeavour will get more powerful diesel engines along with all round improvements to the SUV. Chrysler's entry into India will be through the Jeep brand. The first Jeep to be launched will be the Grand Cherokee, which comes via the CBU route. Maruti Suzuki will launch the production version of the XA Alpha by the end of next year. It will share underpinnings with the Swift. GM will launch the Enjoy MPV early next year. This SAIC product will be aggressively priced to take on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Ashok Leyland will launch the re-badged Evalia, calling it the Stile. It will be more appealing than the Nissan version of the NV200. Force Motors will launch their own version of the Viano MPV. This vehicle will be priced around Rs. 15 lakhs and will feature Mercedes powertrain. Hyundai will enter the MPV space with the launch of the production version of the Hexa Space, which was showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo. Audi will launch the 2013 R8 which was recently unveiled. This supercar gets minor updates to boost all round appeal even further. Jaguar's Paris showstopper, the F-Type will go on sale in the Indian market by June 2013. It will offer splendid performance and style.Lamborghini's hottest car ever, the Aventador Roadster will hit showrooms by December 2013. It will be priced above Rs. 4 crore.

Most anticipated movies of 2013

(Photos: Paramount Pictures/Walt Disney Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures/Columbia Pictures/Marvel Studios)

Last year at this time, there were a lot of big movies to look forward to. And while some met or exceeded expectations in a big way – “The Avengers” and “Skyfall,” for example – others didn’t quite live up to our hopes (“Prometheus,” for one).
But now we’ve got a new year and a huge field of gigantic movies ahead of us.  So we’ve sorted through all the sequels, bestselling book adaptations, post-apocalyptic adventures, and (of course) comic-book movies to pick out and rank the 25 most anticipated titles of 2013.

New Year's resolution trips

We all know the life cycle of a New Year’s resolution: a dream in December, a fresh start in January…and a broken promise by February.

But travel isn’t exercise. Or dieting. It’s transformative and fun. Whether it’s the trip of a lifetime or just a long weekend away, travel gets you out of the daily routine and offers a new perspective. Even better, you can combine your trip with another resolution.
Want to get in better shape? A health spa can help jumpstart a new exercise regimen. Learn a new skill? There’s no shortage of learning vacations. Volunteer more of your time? You can find do-good opportunities all over the globe. Or, if you just want to unplug, off-the-grid places do still exist (for now, anyway). So make 2013 the year that you resolve to go globetrotting…and stick to it.

The Resolution: Become a Better Person
Where to Go: Lobitos, Peru
What to Do/Where to Stay: Combine surfing and philanthropy with Waves for Development, a surf travel company with a focus on volunteerism and community service. Participants help instruct and educate local kids in areas such as language, life skills, swimming, and surfing, along with environmental initiatives such as beach cleanups and recycling programs.
The Resolution: Broaden Your Horizons
Where to Go: The High Seas
What to Do/Where to Stay: Book a cruise to a far-flung destination like Papua New Guinea, Borneo, the far east of Russia, or Antarctica with boutique expedition cruise line Orion. This award-winning, purpose-built luxury cruise ship is renowned for both its five-star perks and unique access to remote, rarely visited locations.
The Resolution: Unplug
Where to Go: Thule, Alaska
What to Do/Where to Stay: Go off the grid in style at Ultima Thule Lodge, a remote haven accessible only by small plane and located 100 miles from the nearest road. (In other words, leave your BlackBerry at home.) The family-run lodge heaps on the creature comforts—cozy log cabins decked out with Craftsman furniture and meals featuring home-baked bread, vegetables from the garden, and wild game—alongside wilderness experiences like flying over the glacier fields or salmon fishing in the Chitina River.
The Resolution: Be More Cultured
Where to Go/What to Do: Feel smarter when you book that trip-of-a-lifetime with Smithsonian Journeys, whose highbrow trips combine sightseeing with education and culture. Choose from options like exploring Mayan ruins in Guatemala or unearthing antiquities in Jordan. The company's uber-knowledegable guides include art historians, archaeologists, and naturalists.
The Resolution: Spruce Up Your Wardrobe
Where to Go: Vienna, Austria
What to Do/Where to Stay: Lost your sartorial mojo? Head to the Austrian capital, whose burgeoning avant-garde fashion scene produces the kind of one-off investment pieces friends will be asking you about for years to come. Fashion collective 7tm, a loose-knit group of independent retailers, can arrange shopping tours of the hip 7th district, with its plethora of cool concept stores and cutting-edge designer temples.
The Resolution: Slow Down
Where to Go/Where to Stay: Visit one of the places designated a Slow City by Italy-based group Cittaslow, an offshoot of the Slow Food movement that aims to encourage people to lead slower, more contemplative lives. To qualify, cities must demonstrate commitments to environmental sustainability, quality of urban life, local products, hospitality, and "slow city awareness" among residents. Head to places like Uberlingen, Germany; Positano, Italy; or California's own Sonoma Valley.
he Resolution: Shake Up the Gym Routine
What to Do/Where to Stay: If you're in an exercise rut—and who isn't?—pledge to take up a class or fitness routine that's out of the ordinary. Get in touch with the gladiator within at the Rome Cavalieri, whose Gladiator Training program schools guests in the intricacies of hand-to-hand combat, Coliseum-style. If getting down is more your thing, try your hand at Zumba, the high-octane exercise craze that fuses Latin beats, hip-hop, and MTV-style dance moves: Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas offers a popular class.
The Resolution: Learn a New Language
What to Do/Where to Stay: Most of us don't need an excuse to visit Paris, but the chance to hone your French might just provide that extra justification. The famous Sorbonne offers short-term immersion courses, as does Alliance Française, the organization dedicated to spreading Francophone culture around the world. While in the City of Light, stay at the sexy, contemporary art-filled Hotel Particulier in Montmartre, where you'll feel like you're one of the locals.
Resolution: Rest Up
Where to Go: Calvià, Mallorca
What to Do/Where to Stay: During the sleep improvement program at Design Hotels’ Hospes Maricel, in Mallorca, doctors use electrodes to examine your REM cycles and spa technicians perform soporific oceanside massages.
The Resolution: Rekindle the Spark
Where to Go: Santa Catarina, Brazil
What to Do/Where to Stay: Whisk your beloved away to the Emerald Coast of Brazil south of Sao Paulo, where the sun always shines and the living is easy. Ponta dos Ganchos Resort is an idyllic spot for a romantic getaway par excellence: the huge villas with sweeping ocean views, in-room saunas, wine cellars, and private infinity pools ensure you'll never want to check out.

Celebrities who cook in their kitchens

(Kitchen photo: Zillow; Swift photo: imdb)

They sing, they act and some of them even cook. While many celebrities are usually spotted dining out or confess to having private chefs, a small number of them say they love to play chef.
But who would blame them when their cooking space features high-end appliances, a deep farmhouse sink and extended counter space? We’re taking a tour through some gorgeous kitchens owned by celebs who actually use them.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has confessed that she loves to bake with her friends Selena Gomez and Emma Stone. She has plenty of kitchens spread across her homes in Nashville, and most recently Cape Cod, but we can imagine her spending time playing chef in her Beverly Hills home.
Her new California kitchen is a charming light-filled space with butcher block countertops and plenty of cabinet space.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel
Who’s the cook in Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel’s relationship? The newlyweds actually share the kitchen duties, Timberlake told Jay Leno recently.
“She likes to cook. I like to bake … so dinner and dessert,” Timberlake said.
Perhaps the two share duties in his modern Manhattan penthouse. The sleek and minimal space has deep counter space and stainless steel appliances.

Matthew McConaughey
Texas-born actor Matthew McConaughey has long professed his love for Texas-style barbecue, stopping by Guy Fieri’s food show as well as sharing recipes with Rachael Ray.
Even now as he prepares for a role requiring a strict diet, McConaughey told US Weekly he’s been preparing a lot of rib-eye steak for his wife, Camila Alves.
The couple share a home in Austin with their two children. Not only does McConaughey’s home include a large kitchen, but it also has a back patio with great barbecuing space.

Emma Stone
For Emma Stone, cooking is both therapy and passion. She confessed recently that baking was one way she could manage her anxiety growing up. Stone’s boyfriend, actor Andrew Garfield, told Vanity Fair that the actress is also serious about someday opening a bakery of her own.
Might as well get some practice in! Her galley-style kitchen in her new Beverly Hills home has white tiled countertops, stainless steel appliances and a large sink with built-in drainboard.

Gwyneth Paltrow
In between acting and raising a family with Coldplay rocker Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow runs the website goop.com, which is devoted to healthy living. The actress also recently published a cookbook entitled “My Father’s Daughter.”
The amateur chef likely needs a large space for preparing her meals, which is why her new home in Los Angeles is perfect. The spacious and modern kitchen has high-end appliances and a large island perfect for meal prep.

Easy Ways to Break 10 Common Bad Habits

Everybody has habits that they don't like. But breaking them is tricky because you often do them without even realizing it. That's why the first step to banishing those behaviors is recognizing that you do something irritating in the first place. Then, replace that practice with something that serves a similar purpose. Eventually, that'll become a habit. Here are other expert strategies for stopping some popular practices. Photo by Thinkstock.
1. Biting Your Nails
If you hide your hands because you've gnawed your nails to nubs, it's time to change that. Identify what you do before you bite your nails, suggests James Claiborn, PhD, co-author of The Habit Change Workbook: How to Break Bad Habits and Form Good Ones. Do you search for uneven or jagged edges, and then bring your hand to your mouth? Instead of moving a finger toward your face, clench your fists. Continue clenching them for a couple of minutes until the urge to bite your nails disappears. When you feel you've made progress changing this behavior, treat yourself to a well-deserved manicure.
2. Knuckle Cracking
Even though you may love the sensation, you probably want to stop as a courtesy to people who don't enjoy that grating sound. Dr. Claiborn recommends relying on a "competing behavior," a.k.a. doing something instead of cracking your knuckles. Punching your other hand or fanning out your fingers will prevent you from going to town on your knuckles. To crack down on cracking for good, keep a record of your successes-when you substituted another behavior for your bad habit-and your relapses. Figure out why you slipped, and you'll be closer to a knuckle-cracking-free life.

3. Gum Snapping Again, you may enjoy that gratifying sound, but it's irritating to everyone who can hear it. So ask yourself how important it is to keep chewing gum, says Dr. Claiborn, and consider giving it up altogether. With a stick in your mouth, it's tough to resist snapping it. If you'll miss the pleasurable process, try deep breathing or a relaxation exercise-it may calm you just as effectively. On the other hand, if you chew gum to freshen your breath or stave off hunger, pop in a mint instead.

4. Sleeping in Your Makeup
You're just so tired by the time you go to bed, you can't even think about scrubbing your face. Keep cosmetic-remover wipes on your nightstand, so you can at least wipe off your makeup before you hit the hay, says Yael Varnado, MD, who answers health questions at AskDoctorV.com. Or create a bedtime ritual of using a face-washing product and moisturizer you love while soothing music plays. Need more motivation to remove makeup at night? Sleeping with it on can cause acne and wrinkles, because it dries out skin around your eyes.

Related: Discover 75 timeless beauty tips.

5. Interrupting You're eager to share your thoughts, but if someone else is speaking, you've got to bite your tongue (unless you want people to think you're rude!). Focus on listening, says Dr. Varnado. The more intently you hear someone out, the less you'll feel the urge to interject. "If the speaker pauses to take a breath or collect his thoughts, don't use that as a window to speak," she adds. Instead, breathe deeply, count to ten in your head and reflect on what the speaker said. You might also ask a pal to tactfully remind you of your goal when you lapse and celebrate your successes with you.

6. Noisy Eating You're aware you make sounds while you munch, but aren't sure why. Tape-record yourself to isolate whether you hum, click or make sucking noises with your tongue. Finding the specific sounds helps you focus on the solution, which could include changing where you keep and how you move your tongue during meals, chewing more slowly, chewing smaller pieces or keeping your mouth closed while eating (which is always a good idea in front of company).

7. Being Late Conquering this habit requires a compelling reason to be on time for appointments, says Ken Lindner, author of Your Killer Emotions. Ask yourself a few questions: Do you respect other people's time? Do you want to appear to be rude? Or would you like to be perceived as thoughtful and professional? When you decide to change, start by visualizing your arrival at an event five to ten minutes early-feels good not to annoy others, right? Or try writing down appointments 15 minutes before the scheduled time to ensure your promptness.

8. Reading Over Someone's Shoulder
That invades their privacy! Putting yourself in that person's shoes could help you quash your curiosity, says Lindner. Imagine how you'd react to someone looking over your shoulder. Now picture that person calling you out in a room full of people. That kind of embarrassment will most likely push you to want to stop this behavior. If it's not enough, sign up for a free habit-changing site, like HabitForge.com, which emails you daily to see how you're doing.

Related: Check out these 9 bad habits that are good for you.

9. Talking Loudly on Your Cell Phone
Consider what might happen if your conversation leaked to the wrong person or got posted on Facebook or Twitter. Would you lose a big client or a close relationship? When you're in public, you have no idea who might be listening or where bits and pieces of your conversation might end up. To remind yourself to take or make calls privately, write a trigger word or phrase on your smartphone in a place you'd see all the time, says Lindner. His word is "Mario Lopez," one of his biggest clients.

10. Fidgeting
Moving around because you're anxious can be seen as a sign of weakness, says Lindner. To prevent that perception, consciously think about what you'll do with your hands in every situation before it happens. If you're standing, put your hands at your sides and imagine they're glued there so you can't move them. If you're seated at a table, place your hands on your knees under the table or fold them on top of the surface. Concentrate on not moving them until you need to use one.