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Rediff.com  » Business » 6 most sought after hatchbacks

6 most sought after hatchbacks

Last updated on: March 18, 2010 17:09 IST

Image: Volkswagen Polo.
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The auto industry saw quite a few developments in last month -- new launches, price disclosures, budget, fuel price hike et al.

All these in collaboration with other market driving factors had an impact on the popularity of one car brand against the other.

Here is a low down on the most searched hatchbacks online across the nation in February.

Volkswagen Polo

Ever since the Volkswagen Polo was displayed at the Auto Expo the market had been waiting for this premium hatchback to roll out.

Finally, the Volkswagen group launched the 1.2L petrol variant for Rs 4.34 lakh (ex showroom New Delhi) and the 1.2L diesel variant for Rs 5.32 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).

Volkswagen Polo is available in Highline, Comfortline and Trendline trims and comes with features such as a storage compartment in front doors for 1.5 litre bottles, sunglass storage inside glove box, folding rear seat backrests and the two-tone dashboard. Polo also offers remote keyless central locking that includes remote window up/down on the Highline, which is unique in the segment.

Talking about the standard features the tilt and telescopic steering, green-tinted heat-blocking glass, body coloured bumpers, halogen headlights and galvanized body with 6 years anti corrosion warranty etc are available.

. . .

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6 most sought after hatchbacks

Image: Ford Figo.

Ford Figo

The American car maker Ford ignited a fresh phase of competition by launching the all new Ford Figo for Rs 3.5 lakh.

The car is available in the 1196cc petrol engine that produces 71PS power at 6,250 rpm and torque of 102Nm at 4,00rpm.

The 1399cc diesel engine produces 69PS power at 4,000rpm and 160Nm torque at 2,000rpm.

Ford Figo has four models: LXI, EXI, ZXI and Titanium. The car has quite flamboyant interiors, unique to the hatchback category and sufficient leg, head and shoulder room.

Ford had been preparing for Figo's arrival by strengthening its dealership network across the country and has localised Figo upto 85 per cent to be able to provide cheaper after sales services.

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6 most sought after hatchbacks

Image: Maruti Swift.

Maruti Swift

This 'bestseller' of sorts by from Maruti stable came up with an all new K-series engine, which is compliant with Bharat IV norms and has brought the car in the top five list.

The engine is also present in Maruti Ritz and lifts the overall performance of Swift.

The new 1.2 litre engine produces 84bhp power, which is 3bhp less than the outgoing 1.3 litre G13B unit. The engine has made the Swift a lot swifter.

The car sprints effortlessly and has become easy to handle. Even at a low rpm of 1500 the responsive engine makes the car lunge forward anxiously.

Even the fuel economy seems to have improved thereby bringing the car neck to neck with its newly launched counterparts.

Maruti Swift is priced in Rs 3.99 lakhs to Rs 5.36 lakhs range (as ex-showroom prices in New Delhi).

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6 most sought after hatchbacks

Image: Chevrolet Beat

Chevrolet Beat

Chevrolet Beat has been evoking curiosity because of its peppy style and other features.

The car comes with a 1.2 liter four cylinder engine producing 79 bhp power at 6200 rpm and 108 Nm torque at 4400 rpm.

Beat has a S-TEC II engine PDA (Port De-Activation) system that makes it easy to handle at both high and low speed.

Beat's engine also has an automatic temperature controller and has a 5-speed manual transmission option. Beat's designed to be pretty roomy and follows the body-in/wheels-out concept.

Features like the headlamps that stretch all the way to the back of the hood, the window line, integrated rear spoiler, round tail lamps, chrome-coated radiator grille, fog lamps and a refined-looking roof rack make up for the peppy looking Chevrolet Beat.

General Motors India has launched Chevrolet Beat with very competitive price tag and its all three variants are available in Rs 3.34 lakhs to Rs 3.94 lakhs range (as ex-showroom prices in New Delhi).

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6 most sought after hatchbacks

Image: Hyundai i10.

Hyundai i10

This car is one of the most popular Hyundai products in the country.

Hyundai i10 comes in two different capacity petrol engines -- 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 generates 80PS power at 5200rpm and 11.4kgm torque at 4000rpm.

Hyundai is offering 10 different variants for the i10 with features like front power windows, air conditioner with heater, rear wiper, rear power windows and defogger in i10 Magna family.

Magna, Sportz and Asta also has an automatic transmission option. Like other Hyundai vehicles the i10's mileage is about 12kmpl in the city and 16kmpl on highways. Hyundai i10 is priced between Rs 3,41,274 5,34,981.

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6 most sought after hatchbacks

Image: Maruti Alto.

Maruti Alto

This entry level hatchback is equipped with a 796cc, 3-cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder MPFI, FC engine with 32 Bit ECM.

The engine is capable of generating 47 PS power at 6200rpm and 62 NM torque at 3000rpm.

Like its sibling Maruti 800, Alto gives a mileage of 21 kmpl on highways 17-18 kmpl in the city.

The interiors are basic and once the AC is turned on you have lesser power to drive the car and efficiency goes down.

Maruti Alto is quite popular with first time buyers looking for a tried and tested brand.

Alto's base model, Maruti Alto LX comes loaded with AC, fabric seats, remote fuel lid opener and the top end model includes a power steering, cup holders etc along with the standard features.

Maruti Alto is priced in Rs 2,28,814 -- 2,77,696 range (as ex-showroom prices in New Delhi).

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