India’s 225 Kph Luxury Sedan Club in the Sub-40 Lakh Rupee Segment

Snapshot – As we’ve detailed before, the 200 Kph mark is pretty much around where cars under the 30 rupee price mark top out at. 225 Kph is a much bigger ask and calls for luxury cars that are aimed at stronger top-end performance. In other words, we’re talking Audis, BMWs and Mercedes Benzs here. Today, we bring you half a dozen luxury cars that can hit 225 Kph but that are all priced under the 40 lakh rupees mark. A perfect blend of performance and luxury, these sedans are ideal upgrades for those seeking the automotive equivalent of the good life.

Mercedes Benz C-Class C220 CDI

The Mercedes Benz C-Class has grown larger and longer in its latest W205 iteration. While the car has put on an aluminium-steel diet to emerge lighter, its price tag has balooned. The C-Class range sold in India now begins at 39.9 lakh rupees, which is why the diesel version finds itself in this list. The C220 CDI variant of the C-Class is equipped with a 2.2 liter-4 cylinder turbo diesel engine with 167 Bhp-400 Nm on tap. Transmission is handled by a 7 speed torque converter unit, driving the rear wheels of the car. Acceleration is very brisk, what with a 7.4 second 0-100 Kph sprint, while top speed is a considerable 230 Kph.

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI

The Audi A4’s entry level petrol variant, which comes with the 35 TFSI badge, has now gained power and torque. The 1.8 liter-4 cylinder motor, turbocharged and direct injected, makes 170 Bhp and 320 Nm. A CVT gearbox handles torque transmission. In the process, smoothness is gained while acceleration is lost. The Audi A4 35 TFSI manages to touch 100 Kph from standstill in a somewhat sedate 8.9 seconds, and top speed is rated at 233 Kph. At a price of 31.65 lakh rupees, the A4 is one of the most affordable Audi sedans as far as the price to performance equation goes.

Audi A3 1.8 TFSI

The Audi A3 40 TFSI  is smaller but is more luxuriously apppointed than the base variant of its larger A4 sibling. Though the A3 makes use of the 1.8 liter TFSI turbocharged petrol engine in a lower, 178 Bhp-250 Nm state of tune, the lighter weight of the car and the quick response from of the 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearbox makes the sedan racier than its larger sibling. Talking numbers, the A3 achieves a top speed of 235 Kph, with the 0-100 Kph sprint dispatched in just 7.3 seconds. Pegged at 30.27 lakh rupees for the Premium Plus version,the A3 40 TFSI is one of the most affordable high performance luxury petrol sedans in the country.

Mercedes Benz CLA 200

 

 

Like the Audi A3 is to the A4, the Mercedes Benz CLA is a much smaller car than the W205 C-Class, but one that has the edge when it comes to sheer performance. The CLA sedan is powered by a 2 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 181 Bhp-300 Nm, and a solid turbo kick where it counts. A 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearbox turns the front wheels. The result is a 0-100 Kph timing of just 7.8 seconds, with top speed rated at a substantial 235 Kph. The car is not for fuel efficiency junkies though. Prices of the CLA 200 start at 35 lakh rupees.

Volvo S60 Drive-E

 

The Drive-E range of turbo diesel engines have really benefited Volvo’s car fleet. The S60 sedan is one such beneficiary. The car’s 2 liter-4 cylinder Drive-E turbo diesel motor has outputs of 181 Bhp and 400 Nm, which is enough to work well with the new 8 speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Top speed is rated at 230 Kph, with the 0-100 Kph run dispatched in just 7.4 seconds. The new engine gives the Volvo S60 sedan serious legs, and at a starting price of 34.4 lakh rupees, the CBU imported S60 in Drive-E guise is serious value.

 

BMW 3-Series 320d

One of the most involving cars to drive this side of the 40 lakh rupee mark, the BMW 3-Series 320d luxury sedan continues to be the bulwark of driving pleasure and outright performance. The car uses a 2 liter-4 cylinder turbo diesel engine that is mated to an 8 speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The engine makes 184 Bhp and 380 Nm, which is lower than competition. Gear ratios make all the difference here as the low slung Bimmer cuts air to reach 100 Kph from a standing start in 7.5 seconds. Top speed is an impressive 235 Kph, and the combination is enough for it to fly the diesel flag high when it comes to outright performance. This car is priced at 35.9 lakh rupees.