5.0 Exterior | 3.0 Comfort | 3.0 Performance |
3.0 Fuel Economy | 5.0 Value for Money |
Exterior
- Beats all cars in this category (<4 L) hands down - Looks are just awesome
- A Head turner, especially the dark colors - You can notice people talking about the "practicality" of owning this small wonder
- Classy European compact car looks with the grill & curves
- I got a Sun Roof done from the showroom - adds to style, and allows my kid to search for the moon while I am concentrating on the road
Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)
- Very spacious for a car of this category
- Rear passengers too have ample leg room
- Hatch allows you to pack in 4 backpacks or 1 to 2 cabin bags
- Finish is good, Tata is showing signs of "rub off" of it's global brands now
Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox
- Engine is low powered (Honestly, who cares!, given the stop & go traffic in Bangalore??, I have seend people in 2.5 Ltr cars struggle to park them, take them out of the parallel park lots, while I am already 1 km away after getting out of the squeezed place)
- I have driven it for about 600 Kms in the last 30 days - That is the love you fall into with AMT. Given it is still warly days, Fuel Efficiency is not something to comment on. Although, I get a feel that AMT will land you somewhere in the 18+ Range.
- This car is for the practical, take it easy type fellow - not for the 4000 RPMer, who talks and breathes Bhp or Torque. Please note, that this car is an easy goer - even when you floor it, it will take its own sweet time to "calculate the down shift". So - you need to get used to it - press the pedal, half way on the speed breaker, and by the time the rear wheel is off, the car is ready to respond. A Lag of about 1.5-2 seconds for that shooting speed needed. Those used to an always on "turbo" will be left high n dry.
- Brakes - All Drum. I feel rear discs should have been provided, given it's rear load. Brakes give you th eold "maruti 800" feeling and you are always keeping a safe distance. Something not to worry - given that this is primarily a city car. If you want to highway throttle it, It is at your own risk.
- Gearbox: Top gear is 5th, that engages past 65/70. For an uphill start, it is recommended to use hand brakes, since the car is on a underpowered engine.
- Auto Creep Feature: Best part for stop n go traffic of Any Metro city. Leave the brake, and the car begins to roll - no need to alternate between accelerator & brake.
- Enging cooling radiator comes to the front grill - Thus oveheating issues have been taken care of now.
Ride Quality & Handling
- Ride Quality : Smooth, well balanced, small - so - speed bumps feel a bit too short.
- Handling: Can take a U turn whilst other car drivers are still planning their U turns :) - and off you go!
- There is a "sport" mode, that basically does a gear shift @ about 10-15% higher RPMs, i dont use it.
Final Words
- Practical city car, has to be your ideal second car.
- Not for the Highways
- Highly recommended for those who live life "easy" - This car will give you that feel - just chill - Live and let live.
- We compared this to Alto AMT, E2O - This one beats them all hands down especially for the price to value conscious fellow.
- For the record, my other car is a Vista Qaudrajet. [ It is odd numbered too :) ]
Areas of improvement
- Disc Brakes
- Plastic moulds, especially door opening knobs, and dash glove box - need to be more soft, sturdy & easy to operate
- Driver seat height adjustement, Although this is limited due to battery sitting below it.
- Seats are a bit upright, Bucket chairs would have been good - Although for short city rides, seats are ok.
Turning Radius, High Vantage Point, Maneuverability, Ground ClearanceSeats are rigid, Plastic moulds need more meat