17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Tata Nano.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarDekho.com CarDekho.com

The year 2010 has been a year of car launches with one new model hitting showrooms every month.

So, this Diwali the Indian car buyer has ample options to choose from.

There were a number of new launches and upgrades in the hatchback category.

So, here is low down on all the choices buyers have this Diwali in the hatchback segment in two price ranges.

Hatchbacks in the Rs 100,000 - 300,000 category:

Tata Nano -- The people's car is powered by a 35-horsepower engine and it is about 10 feet long, weighs approximately 1,300 pounds, has an all-sheet-metal body, a rear two-cylinder engine, small tubeless tires, a reinforced passenger compartment, crumple zones, seat belts and achieves a top speed of 106kmph.

Tata Nano buyers in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have reason to rejoice as Tata Motors has officially opened bookings of the Tata Nano in these states.

Customers who have not booked a Nano in these states can now purchase the Tata Nano directly from showrooms.

The company has finance tie-ups with Tata Motors Finance, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India.

Tata Motors has tied up with a total of 25 banks to offer loans for purchasing the Tata Nano at attractive rates of interest.

Tata Nano's price went up by 3-4 per cent this July due to an increase in the price of raw materials.

The hike was of Rs 3,700 to Rs 6,894 for different variants, based on ex-showroom, Delhi, prices.

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Maruti Alto.

Maruti Alto

The bestseller model from Maruti just got a new K series engine, coupled with a cosmetic overhaul.

The new Alto K10 would exist with the older version and it comes with a 1.0L, K10 engine capable of delivering 68PS of maximum power at 6200rpm with 90Nm of maximum torque at 3200rpm.

It would be available in two variants -- Alto K10 LXI and Alto K10 VXI with a price tag of Rs 303,000 316,000 (ex showroom Delhi).

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Hyundai Santro Xing.

Hyundai Santro Xing

The car, credited for revolutionising the Indian hatchback market post Maruti 800 still has many takers.

Santro Xing comes with 1086cc engine and has a very good fuel economy.

Santro has an 'active intelligence' technology that improves engine performance.

The car has the basic McPherson Strut Suspension with a stabilizer bar in the front and a torsion beam axle with 3-link offset coil springs and hydraulic dampers that make it a good for Indian roads.

The car costs anything between Rs 274,186 -- 391,038 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Indica V 2 Xeta.

Indica V 2 Xeta

The car has a highly advanced MPFI engine and 32 bit microprocessor, sports 12 sensor, along with a knock control sensor for controlling damage from adulterated fuel, extra efficient torque advantage petrol engine delivering 12.4 kgm torque, instant pick-up and fewer gear changes has made its driving smoother and faster.

The car is priced between Rs 271,316 - 320,504 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Indica Vista.

Hatchbacks in the Rs 300,000 to 500,000 segment:

Indica Vista

A fine example of new age Tata products the car comes in a 1.3L, Quadra Jet, Common Rail direct Injection diesel engine capable of producing 71PS of power at 4500rpm and 190Nm of torque at 1750rpm and a 1.2L, Safire MPFI VVT petrol engine that generates 65PS power at 5500rpm and 96Nm torque at 3000rpm.

The Tata Indica Vista also comes in a 1.4L, TDI Turbo diesel engine that produces 71PS of power at 4500rpm.

This family car has a new grille with new striking pedal shaped headlamps, body coloured ORVMs, body coloured rub rails and body coloured bumpers with strong bonnet.

The Tata Indica Vista is available in eight variants in both petrol and diesel engines. The car is priced in the range of Rs 339,000 - Rs 476,000 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Maruti A Star.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarDekho.com

Maruti A Star

The automatic version of the car was launched in the market recently and it points out a new trend developing in the automatic hatchback space.

Maruti A Star is powered by the same KB series 998cc, three-cylinder, 12 valve, DOHC power-train that belts out a maximum power of 67 Ps at 6200 rpm and a top torque of 90 Nm at 3500 rpm.

The car is incorporated with 4 speed automatic transmission which promises higher acceleration and performance whereas other variants of the car come with manual five speed gearbox.

The KB10 engine of the Maruti A Star is designed to get more power value and nimble acceleration. The car is priced between Rs 362,556 - Rs 441,800 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Nissan Micra.

Nissan Micra

Endorsed by nation's sweetheart Ranbir Kapoor Nissan's first India specific hatchback Micra is still finding space for itself in the market.

It has been competitively priced between Rs 398,000-529,000 lakh and it comes in three variants including XE (Rs 398,000), XL (Rs 469,000) and XV (Rs 529,000) (ex-showroom, Delhi).

It has a 1.2L petrol unit and the diesel unit is anticipated sometimes in the future.

Nissan Micra's 3 cylinder DOHC 1198cc petrol engine is capable of producing 75 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 104 NM of torque at 4,000 rpm.

One of the striking features of the car that sets it apart from the rest is the fact that it has driver airbags as standard.

It also has a drive computer and tilt adjustable steering as standard features.

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Maruti Ritz.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarDekho.com

Maruti Ritz

Known as Suzuki Splash in the western market this car is available in both petrol and diesel version in India.

The petrol version of the car is packed with 1.2 L, 1197 cc K -12 series engine.

The K-12 series engine is packed with a five speed manual transmission gearbox and is compatible with BS IV emission standrads.

The engine offers a maximum power of 85 PS at 6000 rpm and a torque of 113 Nm at 4500 rpm.

The diesel version has a 1.3L, 1248 cc DDiS engine with five speed manual transmission gearbox that offers greater mileage and acceleration to the car.

This DDiS engine is fuel efficient and offers 75 PS power at 4000 rpm and a torque of 190 Nm at 2000 rpm.

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Chevrolet Spark.

Chevrolet Spark

This is General Motors first hatchback for the Indian market and it has a 995cc, 8valve engine that gives a maximum power of 48.5KW and a maximum torque of 87.3Nm.

The Spark has peppy looks, decent space and quality interiors with a comparatively lower price tag.

It is built on the old Matiz format but unlike the Matiz the Spark has a well-defined bonnet V, pointy headlights, tiny slit for a bonnet intake, centrally-mounted instrument console and large front door pockets.

The car is claimed to give a mileage of 16.9kpl and has a top speed of 156Km/hr.

The car has an aggressive front grille with large headlamps and fog lamps, 17inch alloy wheels, body coloured bumpers, gate handles and tail gate handle bar.

It also has full wheel covers for steel wheels, tinted glasses, both sides OVRMs, rear spoiler, satin silver roof rails, body side moulding, front windshield with top band, mudguards, body side mouldings and much more.

The car comes with a price tag of Rs 317,808 - Rs 424,353 ex-showroom, Delhi.

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Maruti Wagon R.

Maruti Wagon R

Launched as the blue eyed boy the new Wagon R 2010 is powered by a K10B engine producing 68PS of power and 90Nm of torque.

Maruti has priced the Wagon R at a price of Rs 328,000 - Rs 381,000 in India.

The new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 2010 model has a more contemporary feel and has features like a new grille, striking headlights and bumpers.

The rear has also been redone and restyled tail lamps and rear window glass give the new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R a better look and feel.

The car also has a rear wash and wipe and an optional ABS and Airbags in the higher end VXi model.

The dashboard has a new central console which comes with integrated stereoAUX-In for ipod connectivity and larger circular control for the Aircon.

The steering is also new and has been lifted from Maruti Swift and the car also comes with a seatbelt alarm as standard.

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Hyundai i10.

Hyundai i10

The car took the baton from Hyundai's extremely successful hatchback model -- Santro.

It is the first car by Hyundai in the 'I' series and it is currently the company's bestseller.

The i10 comes with two different capacity petrol engines options -- 1.1L, 1086cc, IRDE petrol engine is capable of producing 66.7PS power at 5500rpm and 10.1kgm torque at 2500rpm and the 1.2L, 1197cc, Kappa engine generates80PS power at 5200rpm and 11.4kgm torque at 4000rpm.

The tiny car's performance, cost of owning and hassle free maintenance is what makes it a darling of the crowd.

The i10 has features like front power windows, air conditioner with heater, rear wiper, rear power windows and defogger in i10 magna family. The car is priced between Rs 341,274 - Rs 534,981 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Ford Figo .

Ford Figo

Ford hit the bull's eye with this model in India and started a cola-like price war by launching the Figo at a very competitive price. Right now the car is available at a price of Rs 360,485. (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The car comes in both the petrol and diesel version.

The 1.2L petrol engine is capable of producing 71PS of maximum power and 102 Nm of peak torque while the 1.4L, Duratorq diesel engine that currently powers Ford Ikon and Ford Fiesta produces 69PS of maximum power and 160 Nm of top torque.

The car is available in four variants in both petrol and diesel engine Lxi, Exi, Zxi and Titanium.

Thus the total variants for diesel and petrol are 8.

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Chevrolet Beat.

Chevrolet Beat

This is a peppy looking model by the American company General Motors.

The car is a decent performer but has a very good fuel economy rate.

It comes with a 1.2L 4 cylinder petrol engine powers the Chevrolet Beat.

This 1199cc 16v DOHC engine offers 79 BHP at 6,200 rpm and 108 NM torque at 4,400 rpm.

The engine refinement is of a very high level and that makes the car very quite. It is a good city car and can be handled easily in traffic congestions.

The car's light clutch with a short pedal range and power steering keep the driving effortless.

The car falls in the price bracket of Rs 357,168 - Rs 419,877(ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Maruti Swift.

Maruti Swift

Details regarding the next generation Swift 2011 are out and they look really promising.

As for the current model, it still has a waiting period of about three months. Currently, the Swift comes in both petrol and diesel version.

The 1.2 L, 1197 cc K series petrol engine and 1.3L, 1248 cc DDiS diesel engine.

The K series engine has a 5 speed manual transmission gearbox and it is BS IV compatible.

The diesel version has a multi point common rail fuel injection system which offers better combustion and fuel efficiency.

The car has been on the list of top sellers every since its launch and despite competition it refuses to budge from its spot.

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Fiat Punto.

Fiat Punto

The Fiat Punto 1.3 liter Multijet diesel engine comes only with an ordinary turbocharger and produces 76 hp.

But with the alterations on the new Fiat Punto the 1.3 liter Multi-jet engine, which will have a variable geometry turbocharger) from the Fiat Linea, will generate 90bhp as against 76 bhp of the other version.

However this version is not under Rs 500,000-category. Some models of the car are priced between Rs 430,430 - Rs 491,924 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Volkswagen Polo.

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo is available in both petrol and diesel options. It has a three-cylinder 1.2L (1198 cc) petrol offers 74 BHP (5,400 rpms) and 110 NM of torque (3,750 rpms).

The 1.2L 3-cylinder diesel offers 74 BHP (4,200 rpms) and 180 NM of torque (2,000 rpms). Polo has features like remote keyless central locking that includes remote window up/down on the Highline.

The Volkswagen Polo is available between Rs 434,000 - Rs 700,000 and Skoda Fabia comes for Rs 502,037 - Rs 784,202 (prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

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17 hatchbacks to choose from this Diwali

Image: Hyundai i20

Hyundai i20

Hyundai i20 comes in both petrol and diesel options with a 5 and 6 Speed Manual Transmission Gearbox.

It has a 1.4 L CRDI engine producing 90 PS, the 1.2 L Kappa engine produces 80 PS and the 1.4 L Gamma engine with 4 Speed automatic transmission gearbox offers a power of 100 PS.

The car is a premium product and is priced between Rs 4,60,863 Rs 8,00,978 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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