Hot diesel hatchbacks below Rs 5 lakh post Budget 2012

  • Mar 28, 2012
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With the 2012 Budget sparing diesel cars from any additional duty, the demand for these vehicles is only set to go higher. So if you are in the market to pick up a diesel small car, here are three options worth considering

Tata Indica eV2

There’s a mad rush for diesel cars. Suddenly everyone who’s in the market to buy a car doesn’t mind giving diesel models a look. Even the small car buyer! But with few choices in the under Rs 5 lakh category, what options is the diesel hatchback buyer left with? Read on…

Tata Indica eV2; starts from Rs 4.41 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi

The Indica’s looks may have aged over the decade that it has been in the country but it’s still among the most practical cars around offering hassle-free driving and low-maintenance costs. At a claimed 25kmpl, the Indica eV2’s fuel efficiency is better than even petrol counterparts such as Maruti Suzuki Alto and Hyundai Eon. The hatchback is powered by a 1.4-litre common-rail diesel engine that generates 70PS of power @ 4,000rpm and 140Nm of torque @ 1800-3000rpm – ideal for daily urban commutes and the occasional highway drives. 

Chevrolet Beat

Chevrolet Beat; starts from Rs 4.65 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The futuristic looks and tall boy stance make this hatch an ideal choice for the youth. But what really tips the scales in Beat diesel’s favour is its claimed fuel efficiency of 24kmpl. The Beat’s 1-litre engine may not seem enough at first. But step on the pedal and you’d be surprised at how agile the turbocharged, three-cylinder mill is. 58.5PS of power and 150Nm of torque are not exactly overwhelming figures but are sufficient for smooth, stress-free city drives. Cabin noise is impressively low and at low speeds the typical diesel clatter is hardly audible. At Rs 4.65 lakh for the base Beat 1.0 PS, the Chevy may not be as value for money as the Ford Figo diesel, but is definitely a great step up if you’re considering the Tata Indica eV2.

Ford Figo

Ford Figo; starts from Rs 4.69 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi

If you’re looking for a big, spacious hatchback, then the Figo will suit your need just fine. Legroom is great all-round and the 284-litre boot lets you lug home your weekend shopping at ease. Powered by a four-cylinder 1.4-litre engine, the Figo puts out 69PS of power @ 4000rpm and an impressive torque of 160Nm @ 2000rpm though the engine is slightly noisier when compared to the Beat diesel. The hatch returned an overall fuel efficiency of 14kmpl in our tests – not much when you compare it to the other two cars we’ve featured here. The base 1.4 LXI Duratorq model, priced at Rs 4.69 lakh, comes without any of the frills such as ABS, MP3 player, rear wash wipe, etc offered in the top-end models. 

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