SUVs are becoming a new trend in the automotive market but there are still some people who are buying hatchbacks. There are few reasons behind it such as better handling dynamics because the ride height is lower than the SUVs due to which the body roll is very well contained. Then there is the easy ingress and egress that the hatchback offers. Because the hatchbacks sit lower to the ground, the elderly people don’t have to climb into the SUV, they could just slide in more comfortably in the hatchbacks. Then there is the budget factor of the hatchbacks. Most of them cost less than compact-SUVs and SUVs due to which people prefer them. Fortunately, there will be quite a few hatchback launches that will happen in 2021.
Tata Tiago Turbo
Since Tata discontinued the Tiago JTP, they do not have a performance hatchback in their portfolio. Yes, they soon will be launching the Altroz Turbo but it will be larger and more expensive. So, the Tiago Turbo makes a lot of sense for enthusiasts. A small hatchback with loads of performance that you can chuck into corners seems like an enthusiasts dream. Once launched, it will also be the least expensive turbocharged small hatchback in the Indian market which should generate enough attention among the people. It will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 110 PS of max power and 140 Nm of peak torque. It will be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox only. There is still no official launch date confirmed for the hatchback. Once launched, Tata Tiago Turbo will be competing against the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo.
Maruti Suzuki Celerio
Maruti Suzuki is testing a new generation of the Celerio which has now started to show its age. It gets a completely new exterior and a redesigned interior. It will still be powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine which produces 67 PS of max power and 90 Nm of torque. The engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or an AMT gearbox. There is still no information when the new hatchback will be launching. Once launched, it will be going against the Tata Tiago and Hyundai Santro.
Tata Altroz DCT
ata is testing a new dual-clutch automatic gearbox for the Altroz that will be offered with the upcoming Altroz Turbo. It will only be offered with the turbocharged petrol engine. It will be a 7-speed unit that will be paired to the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine. The Altroz DCT will be going against the Maruti Suzuki Baleno CVT, Toyota Glanza, Volkswagen Polo and the Hyundai i20. The Altroz DCT is expected to launch on January 13th.
Tata HBX
Tata showcased the HBX at the Auto Expo 2020 and it became one of the most hyped cars at the show. The new micro-SUV is expected to hit the Indian market sometime this year. It will be based on the ALFA(Agile Light Flexible Advanced) platform of Tata. The Concept at the Auto Expo measured 3,840 mm in length, 1,822 mm in width, 1,635 mm in height and had a wheelbase of 2,450 mm. Tata said that the HBX Concept is 80 percent close to the production-spec vehicle. It will be powered by the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that we have seen on the Tiago, Tigor and the Altroz. It will produce 86 PS and 113 Nm. It will be offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT.
Maruti Suzuki XL5
The XL5 from Maruti Suzuki has been in and out of the news for quite some time now. It is essentially a more premium version of the WagonR. The tall boy hatchback gets a more up-market exterior and interior styling. It will be sold through the Nexa dealerships. Maruti Suzuki will be doing the same thing that they did with the Ertiga and XL6. The XL5 will be powered with a 1.22-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that we have seen on other Maruti Suzukis’. The engine produces 82 PS and 113 Nm. It will be offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. There is still no information about when the vehicle will be launching in our market.
Tata Altroz Turbo
Tata is working on the turbocharged variant of the Altroz. It will get the same 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that we have seen on the Nexon. However, for the Altroz will get a detuned version of it. The engine will be producing 110 PS of max power and 140 Nm of peak torque. It will be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. On the exterior, it will only get a new Marina Blue colour. Tata Altroz Turbo will be competing against the Hyundai i20 Turbo and the Volkswagen Polo TSI.
Maruti Suzuki Alto
Maruti Suzuki will be launching a new generation of Alto 800. It will be based on the HEARTECT platform of the manufacturer. The new budget hatchback will be competing against the Renault Kwid. Powering the Alto 2021 will be an 800cc that will produce 47 PS of max power and 69 Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. As of now, there is no information when the new hatchback is going to release in the Indian market.
Ford Focus
Ford is working hard on expanding its portfolio through CBU units. So, they will be launching the Focus as a CBU unit. It will be 4,361mm long and has a wheelbase of 2,649mm. When compared it is bigger than all the compact-SUVs that we get in the Indian market. The Focus will get two engine options. There will be a 1.0-litre turbocharged Ecoboost petrol engine which will produce 125 PS. Then there will be the 2.0-litre turbo unit available which will produce 160 PS. Ford will be bringing only 2,500 units per year and it is expected to start from somewhere around Rs. 35 lakhs ex-showroom.
Ford Focus ST
The ST is the more powerful, more performance-oriented version of the standard Focus. It will also be a CBU unit due to which it will be limited to 2,500 units. It will be powered by a 2.3-litre Ecoboost petrol engine that also powers the Mustang Ecoboost. The engine is capable of producing 280 PS and 420 Nm. These figures make it more powerful than any of the full-size SUVs that we get in the Indian market. Ford offers performance features such as the electronic limited-slip differential, Recaro sport seats, automatic rev-matching, twin exhaust tips and a lot more. Ford Focus ST will start from somewhere around Rs. 45 lakhs and is expected to hit the Indian market in the second half of 2021.
Maruti Suzuki Swift Facelift
Maruti has updated some of its vehicle with a new DualVVT petrol engine that is more efficient and produces 88 PS instead of 82 PS. The Dzire and Baleno have already got this engine and the Swift should be the next one to get it. The engine will be paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. There will be subtle changes to the exterior so that it looks a bit more aggressive and sporty. We still do not know when the facelift will be launching.
