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The sub-four-metre category is a huge hit in India. The market now is slowly graduating to premium hatchbacks from the entry-level compact cars. Also, with the taxation benefits for cars measuring under four metres in length, the buyers get more bang for their buck and that is what we Indians love. So, here we have a list of the top six compact cars to look out for at the Auto Expo 2016 before you make a decision.
1. Renault Kwid
The Kwid concept was showcased at the Auto Expo 2014 with the idea of disrupting the traditional compact car idea and it seems to have worked. The Renault Kwid has recently overtaken the Hyundai Eon to be the next bestselling compact car after the Maruti Suzuki Alto. It will now get a three cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine developing more than 60bhp of power. With the popularity of the AMTs rising by the day, the Kwid AMT will also be showcased.
The Chevrolet Beat has been around for quite some time now. General Motors, with their new Beat-based crossover is planning to ride the SUV wave in India. With LED DRLs, projectors and black mirrors, it should look mean. The aggressive styling along with the body cladding looks to hide the compact dimensions. The powertrains are expected to be carried over from the Beat hatchback which means there is a puny 1.2-litre petrol and a similar 936cc super-efficient diesel mill to look forward to.
The Volkswagen Ameo is a Polo hatchback with a stubby boot – the tried and tested formula to build compact sedans in India. The Ameo will look almost the same as the Polo, sleek and stylish but with a few distinguishing elements. Being a Polo, the ride and handling will be good as will be the build quality. Powered by the same 1.2-litre petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel engine, the Ameo will get a five-speed gearbox mated with them. The automatic version wil get the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
4. Tata Sway
Tata has begun their product offensive and are adding genuinely new products to their portfolio steadily. The newest one being readied is the Tata Sway. Based on the yet to be launched Tata Zica, the Sway will sit below the Tata Zest in the sedan range. We were pretty impressed by the Zica when we drove it last year which has raised our hopes from the Sway. It will be powered by the 1.0-litre turbo-diesel and the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines mated to a five speed gearbox.
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno dethroned the Hyundai Elite i20 to be the top selling premium hatchback within three months of its launch. The Baleno RS is now being readied to have a go at the performance hatchbacks market. Powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that may develop as much as 110bhp of power, it will take on the Polo GT and the Fiat Punto (90hp).
Here comes the big daddy of all hot hatches in India. At 190bhp, it will be the most powerful hatchback in India unless we get the BMW 1M or the Mercedes A45 AMGs. Moreover, it is the first three-door hatch in India since the Zen Steel/Carbon series in 2003. While Volkswagen first said they would be getting a manual, they have confirmed that they will only be getting an automatic DSG to India. Whatever that is, it will be a wild machine to open up on most roads in the subcontinent.
