EXCLUSIVE: Tata’s Answer To The Hyundai i20 N Line To Be Revealed At Auto Expo 2023

• Tata Altroz Sport variant to debut at Auto Expo 2023. 
• 120PS turbo-petrol engine will make it the most powerful Altroz ever.
• Will get cosmetic tweaks to stand out from regular Altroz.
• No changes underneath the skin expected when it comes to handling.

If you want a fun-to-drive Altroz, the i-Turbo variant with the 110PS, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is currently the option to pick. And while it’s quicker than its NA petrol sibling, it still is one of the slower turbo-petrol hatchbacks. But if you want an Altroz with even more oomph, Tata will answer your prayers at the Auto Expo with an even more powerful version: the Altroz Sport variant. 

According to our sources, the Altroz’ 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine will be tuned up to deliver around 120 horses and 170Nm, like the Nexon, in the Sport variant. We’re expecting this engine to be paired with the Nexon’s TA78 six-speed manual in place of the five-speed manual offered currently in the i-Turbo. This engine in the Altroz will satisfy those craving for more power as its specs are right up there with the Hyundai i20 N Line. 

One more reason to choose the Altroz Sport variant is that it will offer a proper manual ‘box, unlike the i20, which gets a six-speed iMT. That said, there won’t be an automatic option on offer. FYI, the i20 N Line gets a seven-speed DCT. 

We are also expecting Tata to make cosmetic tweaks to ensure the hatchback stands out from the standard Altroz. So you can expect changes made to the bumper and badging and even addition of body decals. It could also sit on probably a different set of alloys. On the inside, the hatch could get tweaks and badging as well to denote it’s the sportier Altroz. 

No tweaks underneath the skin are expected. But that ain’t a bad thing as the Altroz is already one of the best when it comes to driving dynamics. In fact, the Altroz i-Turbo emerged victorious in our fun ride and handling test when pitched against the i20 N Line and Toyota Glanza. You can read the full report here. 

The Tata Altroz Sport will be one of the highlights in Tata’s Auto Expo 2023 stall, which is expected to consist of other models such as the Punch EV, facelifted Harrier and Safari, and possibly evolved versions of the Curvv and Avinya concepts. You can read about Tata’s Auto Expo 2023 plans in our detailed story here.