Longer, swifter and sportier, the new MSIL Swift model has the potential to re-anchor its domination in the Indian small car market, but for those looking out for something a lot roomier at no extra cost, the Toyota Etios Liva Diesel may be your best bet

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2010 has certainly added a streak of evolution to India’s premium hatchback segment of cars. With spacious and low maintenance diesel cars becoming increasingly practical in today’s day and age, the premium diesel hatchback space will certainly be in the spotlight for many looking to invest their hard earned money into a purposeful city car.

Two frontline competitors in this animated battle are the new MSIL Swift and the Toyota Etios Liva hatch. While the Swift comes back longer and sportier than ever before, not to mention the unshakeable reputation that its name already carries, the Liva is a product built from ground up and sports an internationally recognized badge that in itself is sufficient reassurance for most buyers faced with the dilemma of having to choose from a variety of unfamiliar global car manufactures.

With a better tuned 1248 cc, 4 cylinder diesel motor under its hood, the new MSIL Swift DDis is the most powerful hatchback in this class, producing 75 PS @ 4,000 rpm and 190 Nm of Torque @ 2,000 rpm.  Even with the smallest engine in the group, the new Swift makes the most power, and its delivery is a lot more linear compared the previous model.

The Toyota Etios Liva hatch on the other hand benefits from a much higher displacement oil mill. However, even at 1364 cc, the Liva’s in-line 4 cylinder diesel engine produces 68 PS @ 3800 rpm and 170 Nm of Torque @1800 rpm, doing little justice to its engine brawn, well at least in comparison to the Swift.

Acceleration from a standstill holds some relevance even if such cars are primarily built for city use. The new MSIL Swift has picked up the praise word ‘Swifter’ without reason. Its longer and sportier frame now shoots from 0 to 100 km/hr is a mere 13.65 seconds, making it a good two seconds faster than its nearest competitor, the Liva. Being second best isn’t all that bad for the Toyota Liva, which despite being a tad underpowered completes a similar sprint in a satisfactory 15.86 seconds.

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