10 Drivers/Enthusiast Cars in India | From VW Polo to NIOS Turbo

In recent times, the automotive trend is taking a U-turn. The question ‘Kitna Deti Hai?’ is turning into ‘Kitna Bhagti Hai?’. Suddenly, powerful engines are becoming the new normal and people are digging for them. With that said, let’s count down some of the cars in the market which we as automobile enthusiasts like to drive. So, Let’s begin.

1. Ford Figo
   

   

   Engine Specifications
   Engine	1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol	1.5-litre Turbo Diesel
   Transmission	5-Speed MT	5-Speed MT
   Power	96ps@6,500rpm	100ps@3,750 rpm
   Torque	119Nm@4,250rpm	215 Nm@1,750-2,500 rpm

   Since Ford’s debut in India, the cars from the brand is known to provide utmost pleasure while driving. All thanks to the amazing drivetrain and powertrain, with the top-notch dynamics. Even Ford introduced a sports specific variant, were in the suspension were a bit stiffened, the ride height was lowered. The talking point here, are the engines options. Ford Figo comes with two engine options, a 1.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine. The petrol engine is capable of producing 96ps of power and 119Nm of peak torque. On the contrary, the diesel engine gave out 100ps of power and 215 Nm of peak torque.

2. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo
   

   

   Engine Specifications
   Engine	1.0-Litre Turbo Petrol GDI
   Transmission	5-Speed Manual
   Power	100ps@6,000 rpm
   Torque	172N m@1,500-4,000rpm

   The Koreans recently shifted to ‘Turbo Petrol Era’ with a 1.0 litre and 1.4-litre engines. The new Grand i10 Nios comes with the 1.0litre turbo petrol engine. But what is so special about the engine? you may ask. Don’t go by the engine capacity, slapping a turbo on a naturally aspirated petrol engine, makes small engine do big things. Talking about the numbers, this engine produces, 100ps of peak power and 172 Nm of max torque. The engine, with a 5-speed manual and a lightweight car, makes this a complete drivers package. Hyundai’s network just makes it even more mouth-watering.

3. Volkswagen Polo
   

   

   Engine Specifications
   Engine	1.0-Litre TSI petrol
   Transmission	6-Speed Manual / 6-speed Torque converter Automatic
   Power	110ps@5,000-5,500
   Torque	175N m@1,750-4,000 rpm

   Without the Volkswagen Polo, this list is incomplete. Afterall Polo was among the first cars to start the hot-hatch trend in India. It’s been almost a decade that Polo is among us and kind of feels dated now. Apart from the aesthetics, and feature in and out, the money you put in VW gets you a gem engine. Similar to the Hyundai, Polo for BS6 gets a 1.0-litre TSI engine. Though 1.0litre, it is very different from the one in i10. This TSI motor generates 110ps of power and 175 Nm of peak torque.

4. Maruti Suzuki Swift
   

   

   Engine Specifications
   Engine	1.2-Litre Naturally Aspirated petrol
   Transmission	5-Speed Manual / 5-speed AMT
   Power	83ps@6,000
   Torque	113 Nm@4,200rpm

   Surprise-Surprise, what do we have here, Maruti Suzuki Swift in drivers cars list? Well, let me tell you this is one of the good handling cars. How? Psst, it needs some modification. Swift in 2020 comes with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that pushes, 83ps and 113 Nm of peak torque. The motor with the lightweight vehicle makes it a very potent vehicle and makes it fairly entertaining to drive.

5. Skoda Rapid
   

   

   Engine Specifications
   Engine	1.0-Litre TSI petrol
   Transmission	6-Speed Manual / 6-speed Torque converter Automatic
   Power	110ps@5,000-5,500
   Torque	175 Nm@1,750-4,000rpm

   The recently updated Skoda Rapid is one of the values for money drivers cars. The Price is what makes Skoda stand out in the crowd. The 2020 Skoda Rapid is more like an engine upgrade rather an overhaul. With that said, Rapid undercuts some of Polo’s variants. The boasting point here lies under the hood. Skoda Rapid comes with the same 1.0-Litre TSI motor as seen in the Polo and Vento and is in the exact same tune. This motor produces 110ps of power and 175 Nm of peak torque.

6. Mahindra Thar 2020
   

   

   2020 Mahindra Thar | Engine Specs
   Engine	mStallion 150 T-GDi	mHawk 130 CRDe
   Capacity	1,997	2,184
   Power	150hp @5,000rpm	130hp @3,750 rpm
   Torque	300 Nm @1,250-3,000rpm (MT) 320 Nm @1,500-3,000rpm (AT)	300 Nm @1,600-2,800rpm

   Enthusiast car doesn’t always mean going fast. Well, Mahindra that 2020 is the latest entry into this list. Mahindra Thar comes with all the tech one needs to offroad and oh boy it is some serious weapon. One can tackle any terrain and with a little bit of off-road experience, can conquer jungles. Talking about the engine, Mahindra has given it a lot of power from two engines, a 2.2-litre diesel engine and a 2.0-litre turbo petrol T-GDI.

7. Kia Seltos
   

   

   Engine Specifications
   Engine	1.4-Litre TDGI petrol
   Transmission	6-Speed Manual / 7-speed DCT Automatic
   Power	140ps@6,000
   Torque	242 Nm@1,500-3,200rpm

   The Koreans have almost taken the market by a storm with their GDI, Turbo petrol, lineup. The Seltos, a very powerful vehicle in the GT-line comes with a 1.4-litre turbo petrol GDI engine. But it is more than just a good engine, the dynamics of Kia Seltos are bang on and offer good feedback. Well, this Kia is fast of the line too, it takes less than 9 seconds to clock 100 kmph from standstill. This is possible because of the 140ps of raw power and 242 Nm of peak torque. Seltos also gets a ton of features to enhance the sporty essence inside the cabin, this also includes a flat-bottom steering wheel.

8. Honda Civic
   

   

   Engine Specifications
   Engine	1.8-Litre SOHC i-VTEC
   Transmission	CVT
   Power	141ps@6,500
   Torque	174 Nm@4,300rpm

   
   The Japanese carmaker is no behind when it comes to driver-focused cars. When sitting behind Honda Civic’s wheel, no one will get disappointed. India bound civic shares the basic construction with the Civic Type-R which is one of the fastest FWD cars out there. Even the dynamics are spot on and the low ground clearance complements the attitude. But what is under the hood? Civic gets two engine options in India, it is the petrol which offers a decent punch. The petrol engine is a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that pushes 141ps of power and peak twist of 174 Nm.

9. Isuzu D-Max V-Cross
   

   

   Engine Specifications
   Engine	1.9-litre Common rail VGS Turbo-diesel
   Transmission	6-Speed automatic 4X4
   Power	150ps@3,600
   Torque	350 Nm@1,800-2,600 rpm

   Talking about 4X4, how can we forget Isuzu D-Max V-Cross. In the Indian market, one of the potent off-roaders is V-Cross. Like the Thar, this pick-up truck comes with all the bells and whistles required to go wondering. The main feature is the ride quality and the way this truck tackles off-road obstacles. Slap on some off-road wheels, this truck will take you everywhere. What is under the hood? Well, this truck gets you a 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine that churns out 150ps and 350 Nm of peak torque.

10. Skoda Octavia VRS 245
    

    

    Engine Specifications
    Engine	2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol
    Transmission	7-Speed DSG automatic
    Power	245ps@5,000-6,700 rpm
    Torque	350 Nm@1,600-4,300rpm

    Last, but the fastest, Skoda Octavia is all about 0-100 kmph times, as it takes just 6.6 seconds clocking those speeds. Sadly the car’s top speed is electronically limited to 250kmph. What powers this beast? a 2.0-litre TSI motor that churns 245ps of power and 370 Nm of peak torque. For additional fun, the engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

Also, Read: Toyota Urban Cruiser Revealed | Bookings Open

There were some of the top cars, oozing driving pleasure when taking control of them.

Fun Read: Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7: When Maruti tried a V6 engine!

Tell us in the comment section, which is your favourite car?