4 'enthusiast' cars under Rs. 10 lakhs that will launch soon

The Indian car market has finally started to warm up to fun, driver-focused cars that are also easy to buy. While Maruti already sells the Baleno RS and VW India has been selling the Polo GT twins for a pretty long time now, we have at least 4 enthusiast cars that will be launched soon and cost less than Rs 10 lakh. Here are the full details.

Tata Tiago JTP

The Tata Tiago JTP is the cheapest upcoming affordable performance car on our list today. The Tiago JTP goes on to show that Tata Motors has finally decided to push its performance-tuned cars beyond the concept stage and put them into mass production. The Tiago JTP is essentially a driver-focused version of the regular budget hatchback that has been prepared by Jayem Tata Performance (JTP) – a joint venture between Jayem Automotives and Tata Motors to develop performance-oriented vehicles.

The Tata Tiago JTP will ditch the regular 1.2-litre petrol engine for the more powerful turbocharged unit that powers the Nexon. This engine delivers a maximum power of 109 bhp along with a peak torque of 150 Nm. The motor is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with gear ratios that help the car offer a strong performance. The engine also benefits from the performance-oriented intake and exhaust systems.

Other performance upgrades include a sportier suspension setup with lower springs and a lower ground clearance. Visual updates include updated bumpers, side skirts, JTP badges, a hood scoop, red-painted ORVM caps and a black roof. On the inside, the car will have an all-black interior with red stitching on the black upholstery.

Tata Tigor JTP

Even the Tigor has gone under the JTP’s scalpel. While the Tiago-based compact sedan is currently the cheapest sedan you can buy in the country, its JTP version, in all likelihood, will become the most delicious and the most affordable performance-focused compact sedan. So, basically, those of you who like the performance credentials of the Tiago JTP but need a bigger boot can pick up the Tigor JTP with your eyes closed. The Tigor is the second product from the Jayem Tata Performance JTP and will likely be launched alongside its hatchback sibling.

The Tigor JTP too will be powered by the Nexon-sourced 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that outputs 109 bhp-150 Nm. The engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The regular petrol-powered Tigor weighs only about 50 kgs more than the petrol Tiago. Hence, we can expect a similar difference in the weight of the JTP models.

Akin to the Tiago JTP, the Tigor JTP will get a performance-tuned suspension and a lower ground clearance. Here also the visual updates will include a set of updated bumpers, side skirts, JTP badges, a hood scoop, red-painted ORVM caps and a black roof. The interior will be all-black with contrasting red stitching on the seat upholstery.

Ford Figo S Facelift

The latest-gen Ford Figo has been in our good books for offering a good balance between ride and handling, and a powerful diesel engine. Ford India released the S variant of Figo hatchback to lure all those in search of a sporty-looking hatchback with enough power to keep things interesting. While the Figo S came with the powerful 1.5-litre diesel engine, the 1.2 TiVCT petrol motor was anything but exciting. Things look all set to change with the advent of the Figo Facelift.

This time around, the Figo S will most probably have the performance numbers to complement the sporty exterior. The weak 1.2 TiVCT will make way for the new 1.2-litre Dragon petrol engine that has made its debut on the Freestyle. This engine outputs 95 bhp and 115 Nm. The motor will be a lot peppier than the earlier 1.2-litre unit. The diesel engine will remain unchanged.

Other than a set of powerful engines, the updated Figo S will offer all the styling updated that will debut on the Figo facelift. These will include a new front bumper and a sleeker front grille. The Figo S will also have a different set of alloys, a black roof and an all-black interior to keep things sporty.

Ford Aspire S Facelift

Ford has already suspended the production of the Aspire and will soon replace it with a facelift. The Aspire facelift is based on the updated Figo that we’ve talked about in the above section. It will come with a new grille and a handful of minor updates to look fresher. Like the Figo, even the Aspire was launched in an ‘S’ trim for the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine variants. The highlights of the S trim included several visual updates and a sportier suspension. The car came with sporty 15-inch alloy wheels, a black interior and S decals. However, here too the 1.2-litre TiVCT petrol engine played spoilsport owing to its weak low-end power delivery and mediocre performance. Things look set to change with the advent of the Aspire S facelift. The updated Aspire will get the new 1.2-litre Dragon series motor that offers a higher performance.

The Aspire S will offer all the visual updates that will debut in the facelift. Additionally, you can expect it to get a set of more stylish alloy wheels, a black interior and S decals.