Three Upcoming Budget Cars That Want To Kill the Maruti Suzuki Alto

Snapshot – The budget hatchback segment in India will see three interesting cars getting launched over the next 12 months. All three new hatchback launches will gun for India’s largest selling car model, the Maruti Suzuki Alto. The budget car buyer in India will now have a range of options to pick and choose from, along with exciting new features and design elements. CarToq gives you a lowdown on what you can expect in the budget hatchback space.

Renault XBA/A-Entry

On the 20th of May 2015, Renault-Nissan Chief Carlos Ghosn will unveil the XBA/A-Entry code-named budget hatchback. This car will be Renault’s lowest priced offering globally, and will be positioned as the entry-level model in India, from where it is likely to be exported to many developed countries. According to MotorOctane, the car could be called the Kayou.

The XBA/A-Entry will sit on the CMF-A platform and will be the first car under the Renault-Nissan banner to debut this architecture in India. The XBA will use an 800cc, triple cylinder petrol engine developed from scratch in India. A tall-boy form factor will be the other major highlight of this car.

 

Rumours suggest that a crossover-like demeanour is likely for the XBA/A-Entry. High ground clearance will be particularly useful in India, and if the XBA can deliver this with a short wheelbase to boot, many buyers may line up for it. An automated manual transmission is also expected to make it to the equation.

Tata Nano Active Twist + AMT Variants

The Tata Nano will get its umpteenth refresh in the next few weeks, what with production of the facelifted variant already on at Sanand, Gujarat. The refreshed car will gain new front and rear bumpers, making for a more aggressive stance. On the inside, a spruce up in is order to make the car feel more upmarket.

In engine terms, petrol and CNG power will be served up, with the 624cc, twin cylinder engine making 37 Bhp-51 Nm on petrol power. The four speed manual transmission will drive the rear wheels of the car in the regular variants, while an automated manual transmission (AMT) will be offered on specific, top-end variants.

At the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, the Nano was also showcased with features such as a larger, 24 liter fuel tank and an open-able hatch lid, apart from the AMT feature of course. These features could make it to the refreshed variants of the car. The electric power steering, which made its debut on the Nano Twist, will be retained too.

Datsun RediGo

Datsun showcased the RediGo budget car at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. However, the market launch of this car will happen only in 2016. The car will be built alongside the Renault XBA, at the Renault-Nissan factory in Oragadam, off Chennai. A price tag near the 2.5 lakh rupee mark is likely.

Like the A-Entry, the RediGo will also be a tall-boy hatchback, seeking to deliver ease of access. Apart from the CMF-A platform that the RediGo will share with the XBA, the 800cc petrol motor is another item that will be common to both these cars. Extensive parts sharing is also in the works, and so is heavy localization in order to keep pricing competitive.

The RediGo is a very crucial car for the Datsun brand in India, whose first two offerings haven’t exactly set the hustings on fire. With the RediGo, Nissan would be hoping that the Datsun brand becomes a household name in India, a market where budget hatchbacks rule the roost.