Five New Upcoming Performance Centric Hatchbacks for India

Snapshot – In the car world, the hatchback is the lowest common denominator on Indian roads, in terms of getting a family from point A to point B with the least fuel consumption. So, it’s of no surprise that hatchbacks dominate the budget segments. Naturally, high performance variants of hatchbacks have a very niche market with small numbers. Yet, the tribe of such cars is growing as the Indian car buying populace matures and expects more than just a commute from their daily drives. CarToq profiles five upcoming performance-centric hatchbacks that India will receive in the months to come.

Fiat Punto EVO T-Jet

Much has been said and written about how well the Fiat Punto EVO rides and handles. Less than luminous words have been used for the kind of outright performance the car delivers. Fiat plans to make the Punto EVO more exciting than ever before by shoehorning the 1.4 liter-4 cylinder T-Jet turbo petrol engine into the hatchback’s engine bay. The petrol engine with a water cooled turbocharger pumps out 114 Bhp-207 Nm, and will make the Punto EVO the petrol hatchback with the most torque in its class.

Fiat Avventura T-Jet

For those who want an additional dose of ground clearance on the Punto EVO need to look at the Avventura, a Cross version of the hatchback. Like the Punto EVO, the Avventura will also gain the 1.4 liter T-Jet turbo petrol mill. The additional power will make it the most powerful petrol powered vehicle in its class, beating the likes of the upcoming Hyundai i20 Active, the Volkswagen Polo Cross and the Toyota Etios Cross. Like the Punto, the Avventura’s ride and handling package is fabulous, but the performance department could do with some additional poke, which is what the new turbocharged petrol engine will deliver.

Tata Bolt Sport

Tata Motors wants to change its image, from a mass market car maker whose vehicles are best known as taxis, to that of an automaker that can deliver a measure of sporty appeal. The Bolt Sport is the car with which Tata Motors will kickstart its performance sub-brand. Currently on display at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Bolt Sport uses a higher power version of the 1.2 liter REVOTRON turbocharged petrol mill. 120 Bhp-170 Nm is what the Bolt Sport will offer hot hatchback buyers in India.

Mini Cooper S

The Mini Cooper S is the most powerful hatchback in the latest, 4th generation Cooper range. A 2 liter turbo petrol engine with 189 Bhp-300 Nm, and a 6 speed manual gearbox that drives the front wheels, will make the Cooper S go faster than any other Mini hatchback. A CBU import into India, the Cooper S will sprint from standstill to 100 Kph in just 6.7 seconds, while top speed is rated at a heady 233 Kph. The car will sit at the top of Mini’s Indian range, and will be priced above every other Cooper offering.

Fiat Abarth 500 Competizione

The Fiat Abarth 500 Competizione was supposed to be launched in January 2015, and two months have already elapsed. Changes in Fiat India’s top management is said to be reason for the brand builder’s delayed launch. The Abarth 500 uses the same 1.4 liter T-Jet turbo petrol engine that the Punto EVO and Avventura will soon receive, but in a higher state of tune – 158 Bhp-230 Nm. The car gets a 5 speed automated manual transmission for gear shifting. To be positioned as a highlight of the kind of performance-centric cars Fiat is capable of building, the Abarth 500 Competizione is expected to carry a price tag close to the 30 lakh rupee mark.