The trend of introducing powerful and ultra sporty hatchbacks is fast picking up in the Indian passenger car market. With the likes of Grande Punto 90 Sports Edition, Volkswagen Polo Highline and the newly launched Tata Indica Vista D90, the domestic car enthusiasts having a penchant for powerful compact models are offered with quite a few options worth investing on.
The Fiat Grande Punto premium hatch comes assimilated with a 1.4 litre, 1,368cc, FIRE petrol powertrain, which is capable of churning out a maximum power output of 90 bhp at 6000 rpm along with a peak torque delivery of 115 Nm at 4500 rpm. The ultra modish design of the Grande Punto complements its sporty design and stylish road presence. The impressive engine output entails the Fiat model to become one of the most fawned upon powerful models in its segment. At present, the variants of Fiat Grande Punto 90 come with retail price tags starting from Rs. 5.8 lakhs, which goes on till Rs. 7.5 lakhs.
Coming to under-the-hood specifications of the all-new Tata Indica Vista Quadrajet D90, the powerful hatch comes assimilated with a 1.3 litre, 4-cylinder, Multijet engine, which churns out a maximum power output close to 89 bhp and a peak torque delivery around 200 Nm. At present, the Indica Vista D90 model is offered with an introductory pricing of Rs. 5.99 lakhs for its VX trim, while its ZX model comes at price tag of Rs. 6.83 lakhs (all prices in the New Delhi ex-showrooms). Volkswagen Polo Highline and Fiat Grande Punto 90 are two of Indica Vista D90's direct adversaries on Indian turf.
Currently, the most powerful premium hatchback offered to domestic audience is the petrol powered Volkswagen Polo Highline. The hatch comes fitted with a 1.6 litre, 1,598 cc petrol powertrain, that produces a best-in-class power output of 103.5 bhp at 5,250 rpm, along with a peak torque delivery of 153 Nm at 3,750 rpm. The German auto major offers its Polo Highline at a price tag close to Rs. 6.5 lakhs in the country, thereby making it the most expensive offering in the segment.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor, a subsidiary of Japanese multinational auto major Toyota Motor Corp., has revealed intentions to ring a 90 bhp model of its Etios Liva hatchback in the Indian passenger car market. The upcoming Etios Liva is expected to come fitted with a 1.5 litre engine, which will be able to produce a peak power output of 90 bhp. Upon its launch on the Indian turf, the 1.5 litre Etios Liva will compete in the 90 bhp league of premium hatchbacks in the domestic car market.
Evidently, the prevalent scenario of powerful premium hatchbacks looks promising in the Indian market. With top car makers like Volkswagen, Fiat, Tata and Toyota fighting for dominance, the competition is slated to fire up even further in the country.
