Performance hatchbacks have not been sold in huge numbers in India but we have a rich history including the Fiat Palio 1.6 to the Hyundai i20 N Line sold today along with the Volkswagen Polo GT. However, Tata Motors also tried experiment with its JTP versions but later were shelved. Now, Tata Motors is trying yet again with the Altroz Racer, a sportier version of the Altroz and in this review we tell you if it has been worth the wait or not.
Exteriors
The Altroz Racer looks assertive and sporty while having enough differentiation over the standard version. Available in three colours, Avenue White and Pure Grey and Atomic orange, the Racer looks quite appealing while not being overdone too. The white and grey look better with the contrast elements though. There is a dual-tone look with many black details while there are roof stripes which complement it. The alloys are black but not larger while the ground clearance remains the same as the standard Altroz. The Altroz has always been a good-looking car but the Racer has the hot hatch look which adds to its appeal.
Interiors
The doors open wide open which means getting in and out is very easy. The cabin design has also been updated with contrast stitching along with a liberal dose of black with orange. Quality is good and it feels solid while crucially, there is a new instrument cluster along with a larger touchscreen taken from the top-spec Nexon ICE. Features like wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree camera and even ventilated seats are there. There is also a sunroof while a fantastic sounding audio system remains a Tata Motors hallmark. The camera display is also excellent and the touchscreen is also not laggy too. Space remains the same while the sunroof does eat into the headroom and it feels a bit low. We also like the fact that there is a flat floor while boot space of 345 litres is more than its competition.
Driving experience
The main highlight of the Altroz Racer is the more powerful engine that has been added from the Nexon. There is a new 1.2 litre turbo petrol which now develops 120 bhp and 170Nm. Standard is a new 6-speed manual gearbox but there is no automatic as standard. There is a default Sport mode and it also gets a louder exhaust. Compared to the Nexon, the engine feels sharper and has been tuned to behave more aggressively here. It feels quick and has an aggressive power delivery. We also like the exhaust note which is surely louder and forms a large part of the appeal.
The gearbox though is a disappoint in being the same one from Nexon along with a heavier shift plus a clutch which has an aggressive biting point. You need to modulate it in traffic and it is not as quick as you expect in terms of a gearbox for a hot hatchback. The ride and handling are superb though with a suspension which successfully challenges our bad roads quite well and the ground clearance is good too. The steering feels sharp and the car is eager to turn while only having a small amount of body roll. We expect fuel efficiency to be around 10-12 kmpl, depending on the way you drive.
Verdict
The Altroz Racer is available in three variants- R1, R2 and R3. Prices start from Rs 9.49 lakh and standard equipment includes features like 16-inch alloys, leatherette seats, projector headlamps, cruise control, electrically operated ORVMs, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and more. The R2 adds in features like a 360-degree camera, Xpress cooling, wireless charger, and a sunroof. The top-end R3 meanwhile has connected car tech, ventilated sears and more. We feel the Racer is a big step up for the Altroz in terms of the engine, features and the driving experience. However, we feel the gearbox limits the appeal a bit and an automatic would have been a better choice while more power would have been welcome too. Nonetheless, the Racer is a feature packed hatchback which offers a good amount of performance while we think it is a better deal than the previous iTurbo.
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