Cheap thrills! One dozen 100 bhp petrol cars for under Rs. 10 lakhs: Maruti Baleno RS to Tata Nexon

Fuel efficiency has always been a crucial factor in purchase decisions, for indian car buyers. Of late, an increasing number of customers have been drawn to the power of vehicles. Many manufacturers have responded to that with affordable options in the market. Here are 12 cars with more than a ton of horsepower, available in the Indian market, at sub-Rs. 10 lakh price tags.

Volkswagen Polo GT TSI

Price: Rs. 9.19 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Polo GT TSI was one of the first cars to introduce the dual-clutch gearbox in the affordable car segment in India. It was one of the first modern-day hot hatchbacks and is still loved by the enthusiast fraternity. The GT TSI is powered by a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces a maximum of 103 Bhp and 175 Nm. The dual-clutch gearbox also plays a role in making the vehicle quick.

Fiat Abarth Punto

Price: Rs. 9.7 lakhs

The Abarth Punto is a sub- Rs 10 lakh hatchback in India and is the fastest one too. The Abarth Punto is the cheapest Abarth branded vehicle that you can buy in India and it is an extremely underrated vehicle. The Abarth Punto is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that generates a maximum of 145 Bhp – 212 Nm. The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox. The Abarth Punto is quite quick and can do 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, which is great for a car priced below Rs. 10 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS

Price: Rs. 8.45 lakhs

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS is the first hot hatchback from the brand in India. The car is powered by a 1.0-litre, turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine that generates a maximum of 101 Bhp and 150 Nm. A low weight of 950 kg makes the Baleno RS a pleasure to drive around. Maruti has even tuned the suspension of the vehicle, which has made it a much better handling vehicle than the regular model.

Ford EcoSport

Price: Rs. 7.66 lakhs

The Ford EcoSport petrol is the most powerful SUV in its segment. Ford launched the facelifted model last year which also marked the debut of the 1.5-litre, three-cylinder Dragon series engine. The engine generates a maximum power of 121 Bhp and 150 Nm. It gets both the manual transmission and paddle-shift enabled automatic transmission. Interestingly, Ford will soon launch an even more powerful version of the EcoSport that will bring back the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the vehicle.

Ford Figo automatic

Price: Rs. 8.03 lakhs

The Ford Figo is also available with a dual-clutch automatic transmission option in India and it is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine. While the manual variants get the 1.2-litre petrol engine, the 1.5-litre engine produces a maximum of 110 Bhp and 136 Nm. The dual-clutch transmission with the powerful engine makes it an enthusiast’s choice. The Figo is expected to get an update soon.

Ford Aspire automatic

Price: Rs. 8.54 lakhs

The Aspire is the sedan version of the Figo hatchback and offers the same engine and transmission configuration. The Aspire remained the sole vehicle to offer dual-clutch transmission in the segment for a long time but had a hard time finding buyers. It generates 110 Bhp – 136 Nm similar to the Figo.

Honda City

Price: Rs. 8.71 lakhs

Honda has always been known for their strength in petrol engines. The Honda City has been one of the top-selling cars in the segment for a long time now. The mid-size sedan utilises a high-revving 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that develops a maximum of 117 Bhp – 145 Nm. Interestingly, the petrol version of the City is also available with CVT automatic transmission with paddle shifters but it is the manual that can reach a higher speed.

Skoda Rapid

Price: Rs. 8.35 lakhs

The Skoda Rapid may not be very popular in the mass market but it sure got the attention of enthusiasts. The mid-size sedan is powered by a petrol engine and gets aggressive steering and suspension set-up. The petrol Rapid is powered by a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that develops a maximum of 103 Bhp – 153 Nm. It also gets a 6-speed automatic transmission version.

Hyundai Verna

Price: Rs. 9.76 lakhs

Hyundai launched the new Verna with only 1.6-litre petrol engine but later, the affordable 1.4-litre petrol engine was also added. The Verna has always been known for tremendous power outputs and a long list of features. This one is no different. The 1.6-litre petrol engine of the vehicle produces a maximum power of 121 Bhp and 151 Nm. It also gets an automatic version. Even the 1.4-litre petrol engine is quite powerful and gets rated power output of 99 Bhp.

Tata Nexon

Price: 6.15 lakhs

The Tata Nexon has proved to be a huge success for the brand. Tata offers a set of powerful engines, good looks and a long feature list that is attractive to buyers. The Nexon’s petrol engine is currently the only turbocharged unit in the segment. It develops a maximum of 108 Bhp and 170 Nm of peak torque. Tata offers either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed AMT automatic transmission with the Nexon.

Hyundai Creta

Price: Rs. 9.29 lakhs

The Hyundai Creta is the top-selling SUV in its segment and has a massive fan following. The compact SUV gets good looks, a powerful engine and, of course, Hyundai’s long feature list. Unlike the Verna, the Creta is available only with a single petrol engine option. The 1.6-litre engine in the Creta generates a maximum of 121 Bhp and 151 Nm. It also gets a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Volkswagen Vento

Price: 8.19 lakhs

The Volkswagen Vento is also liked by many car enthusiasts who love to drive and want a tried and tested safe German-quality vehicle. The Vento is powered by the same 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that powers the Polo GT TSI and produces a maximum of 103 Bhp – 175 Nm, similar to the GT TSI. It gets a 5-speed manual and 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

Here is the list in video form