Tata Altroz Diesel gets a good price cut: Only diesel car in India’s premium hatchback market

The Tata Altroz is the only car in India’s premium hatchback segment to be offered with both petrol and diesel engine options. With most budget car buyers shifting towards petrol powered cars, the handful of diesel powered cars sold in the hatchback segments are facing a sales slowdown.

The Tata Altroz Diesel also seems to be a victim of this slowdown. To perk up sales, Tata Motors is now offering Rs. 40,000 off on select variants of the Altroz Diesel. The XM, XT, XZ and XZ(O) trims of the Altroz Diesel are now cheaper by Rs. 40,000. Detailed prices of the four variants are as follows,

The Altroz Diesel borrows its motor from the Nexon but runs a lower state of tune. While the 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel makes 108 Bhp-260 Nm on the Nexon, it produces 89 Bhp-200 Nm on the Altroz. The lower state of engine tune and the lower weight of the Altroz Diesel make it a lot more fuel efficient. Wjhile the Nexon Diesel manages 21.5 Kmpl, the Altroz Diesel delivers 25.11 Kmpl (ARAI certified). The Altroz Diesel has a single gearbox option: a 5 speed manual, even as Tata Motors offers 6 speed manual and automated manual transmissions (AMT) on the Nexon Diesel. The Altroz Diesel is aimed at those who drive large monthly distances, and for whom the lower running costs of diesel is a big need.

The Altroz’s competitors – Maruti Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20, Honda Jazz, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Glanza – are now petrol-only offerings. The Altroz is also available with a petrol engine option: a 1.2 liter-3 cylinder naturally aspirated unit with 84 Bhp-115 Nm on tap. A 5 speed manual gearbox is standard with this engine. Tata Motors is said to be working on a turbocharged petrol engine for the Altroz.

This engine – a 1.2 liter-3 cylinder unit that’s already on offer with the Nexon – is expected to get 6 speed manual and twin clutch automatic gearbox options. The Altroz Turbo Petrol with the 6 speed manual gearbox is expected to launch during this year’s festive season, and test mules have been regularly spotted. The dual clutch automatic version is expected to arrive next year, along with an all-electric version of the Altroz, which is also in the works.

Also read: 5 SUVs that make climbing stairs look so easy: Toyota Fortuner to Mahindra Thar (Video)