A hot or sporty hatchback has become a rare breed in India with the influx of SUVs. There are far few automobile manufacturers that put money where their mouth is by introducing some much-needed zing into the hatchback class. After unveiling the Altroz Racer at the Auto Expo 2023, Tata Motors has finally launched it after a year and a half.
Before we get swept away by its razzmatazz exterior design and paint, the Altroz Racer has been closely developed with Narain Karthikeyan, the man who put India on the Formula 1 map. So sceptics beware, there’s more to the Altroz Racer than meets the eye.
Tata Altroz Racer: Engine and Performance
Tata Motors has thrown the kitchen sink when it comes to the Altroz Racer. They have decided to plonk the 118 bhp 1.2-litre turbo petrol powertrain from the Nexon. To make the driving experience more engaging, the Altroz Racer is currently only mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. While there are talks of a dual-clutch automatic gearbox for the coming future, only the manual version is presently available.
This engine marks the third turbo petrol variant in the Altroz lineup. The standard Altroz model runs on a 1.2-litre 89bhp Revotron engine, and then there was the erstwhile 1.2-litre i-Turbo version that delivered 109 bhp and 140 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Racer boasts an increase of nearly 20 bhp and an additional 30 Nm of torque.
Step on the accelerator and the 1.2-litre starts to gallop without trying making you feel all nervous. It picks up pace in a linear fashion but keeps pegging away the kilometres quickly. Put the pedal to the metal and the Altroz Racer subtly nudges you back into the seat. It’s quite evident that Tata Motors has tuned the engine so that the person behind the wheel always feels in total control and can use this power in everyday driving. Once the car crosses 2,000 rpm, a subtle growl from the engine starts to seep into the cabin and begins to get more audible as the RPM digital meter shoots up higher.
This is not due to the lack of damping sheets rather Tata Motors has purposefully designed this with a special twin exhaust system. The acoustics are part of the plan. The engine’s standout feature is the delivery of its 170 Nm torque. The power surges in the midrange, and just when it seems to peak, it escalates, sustaining the performance without any dip in power.
How has Tata Motors made the driving experience more engaging? The Indian automobile manufacturer has smartly replaced the mechanical clutch with a hydraulic one. With hydraulic fluid automatically adjusting the clutch, the usage is smoother and effortless as compared to the mechanical one. With a consistent engagement of the clutch, the gear stick would easily slot in without any additional effort.
Tata Altroz Racer: Handling and Ride Quality
The ALFA platform is one of the most rigid in the segment, which is the reason why both the Altroz and the Punch are based on it. Ever since the Altroz’s debut, we have always heard about its capability and how stable the architecture is. We got the opportunity to put it to the test at the CoASTT High Performance Centre track at Coimbatore. Tata Motors has reworked the suspension set-up and the steering wheel and the changes were quite evident on the race track.
Tata Motors has fine-tuned the suspension and steering wheel, with the improvements being noticeable on the track. The steering wheel’s recalibration means it’s light at low speeds but gains weight as you accelerate. It’s also more responsive and provides superior feedback. On the track, as the Altroz Racer took on the corners, the chassis stayed firmly attached to the road with minimal understeer observed.
By tweaking the suspension, the Racer feels more rooted to the road and doesn’t let the body heft weigh in. Tata Motors has made optimum improvements without compromising on the Altroz’s ride quality. Even with a slightly firmer setup, the Altroz Racer remains to cushion out uneven roads and bumps.
Watch video: Tata Altroz Review
Tata Altroz Racer: Features Galore
Step inside the cabin, it is all-black and both the floor mats and the leatherette upholstery get racing strip designs. The dashboard boasts a glossy black panel with colourful inserts around the air conditioning vents, gearbox, and steering wheel, matching the Altroz Racer’s body paint scheme. Available in Atomic Orange, Avenue White, and Pure Grey, the cabin features a new 10.25-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera with a blind spot monitor, a wireless phone charger, a 7-inch digital driver’s console, and a voice-operated electric sunroof.
An important addition is the front ventilated seats, only available in the top trim R3 model. Tata Motors has also enhanced its connected technology, IRA, which now includes an emergency call feature and built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistance.
Tata Altroz Racer: Should you buy it?
The Altroz Racer is aggressively priced and starts from Rs 9.49 lakh to Rs 10.99 lakh, ex-showroom. With only the Hyundai i20 N Line being its direct rival, the Altroz Racer is Rs 50,000 more affordable as it is only available with a manual transmission. The i20 N Line, on the other hand, also offers a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Tata Motors has the option to bring in an automatic option and we may see it in the market sooner than we think.
The Altroz is one of the safest hatchbacks in the Indian market comes standard with six airbags and has a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. The Altroz Racer comes standard in dual-tone colours, all-black 16-inch alloy wheels, a roof spoiler and racing stripes on the bonnet and the roof. The engine is powerful and the 6-speed manual makes it engaging to drive. It is also a very spacious car and offers plenty of comfort for the rear passengers. With limited options in the market, the Altroz Racer is a value-for-money performance-oriented hatchback that offers usable power daily and continues to provide a comfortable ride.
