It seems that B+ hatchback segment in India is undergoing an overhaul with most of the popular cars already tweaked and some about to be rolled out in new avatar, competition is heating up in this segment. The latest roll outs in this segment include Hyundai Elite i20 and Fiat Punto Evo that have just replaced their older versions. Lately Volkswagen came up with the new version of Polo hatchback in India, and as festive season nears MSI will also launch facelift variant of its flagship hatchback, Swift in India.
With a changed name, Hyundai’s new Elite i20 made its global debut on August 11th. Launched at a prelusive price of Rs 4.89 lakh (ex-showroom price), new Elite i20 hatchback boasts of increased dimensions. The new version of i20 is 3,985mm long, 1,734mm wide, has a height of 1,505mm and gets a wheelbase of 2,570mm. Engine configuration of new Elite i20 includes a 1.2 litre Kappa Dual VTVT petrol engine that engenders a top power of 83 PS at 6000 RPM and a peak torque of 11.7 kgm at 4000 RPM. Diesel range gets the 1.4 litre U2 CRDi engine that is good for maximum power of 90 PS at 4000 RPM and peak torque of 22.4 kgm between 1500 RPM to 2750 RPM. The petrol engine is claimed to deliver 18.6 kmpl of fuel economy while the diesel engine is vouched to return 22.54 kmpl.
Fiat Punto Evo is yet another hatchback that has been overhauled recently. Priced at Rs 4.55 lakh (ex-showroom price), Punto Evo boasts of an overall length of 3,987mm, the hatchback is 1,687mm wide, 1,495mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,510mm.Petrol variants are offered in two engine options- a 1.2 litre engine outputting top power of 67 Bhp and a 1.4 litre engine churning out pinnacle power of 90 Bhp. Diesel trims are housed with 1.3 litre Multi-jet diesel powertrain offering varied power output of 75 Bhp and 89 Bhp. Mileage returned by petrol variants is 15.8 kmpl on the other hand diesel powered Punto Evo can run up to 21.2 kmpl.
Volkswagen inducted tweaked Polo in India recently priced at Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom price). The hatchback is 3,971mm long, 1,682 mm wide,1,469mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,469mm. The petrol engine is a 1.2 litre MPI engine pumping out top power of 75PS at 5400 RPM along with peak torque of 110 Nm at 3750 RPM. Diesel range gets a new 1.5 litre TDI powertrain that is capable of generating maximum power and torque output of 90 PS at 4200 RPM and 230 Nm at 1500-2500 RPM respectively. Fuel economy delivered by petrol engine is 16.47 kmpl while diesel engine is claimed to return 20.14 kmpl.
Up for an upgrade the current version of Maruti Swift is available for sale at Rs 4.42 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Engine set of Swift includes a 1197cc petrol engine with four cylinders that is good for 87 PS at 6200 RPM and 114 Nm at 4000 RPM. Diesel variants are housed with 1248cc , for cylinder diesel powertrain outputting maximum power and torque output of 75PS at 4000 RPM and 190 Nm at 2000 RPM. Petrol powered Swift is capable of delivering 18.6 kmpl while diesel variant of Swift can returns an excellent fuel economy of 22.9 kmpl.
