6 Hatchbacks In India With The Best Power To Weight Ratio

Advancing time changes many things, this can be rightly said for the people’s mindset too. In recent times, people have started thinking less about kitna deti hai? and more about how it drives. This is where the awareness of how to choose a good car comes into play. It’s not always the engine, or the power specs you need to scout. There is something called power to weight ratio, which also needs to be considered. So, to make taking decisions less confusing, today we are bringing you 6 hatchbacks with a really good power to weight ratio.

But before diving straight into the list, let’s first have a sneak peek of what exactly is the power to weight ratio.

Power To Weight Ratio

To begin with, the power to weight ratio is another parameter on which we can choose the car we want or are willing to buy. The power to weight ratio is a measurement used to measure the precise performance of the vehicle.

That said, diving a little deep, power to weight ratio, is the engine’s power output being divided by the weight (or mass) of the vehicle, to give a value that is independent of the vehicle’s size. In simple words, it is the amount of power a vehicle has relative to its weight.

1. Hyundai i20 (105bhp/ton)
   

   

   The Korean carmaker Hyundai launched the new generation of the premium hatchback i20 last year. With the new update, the hatch got tremendous changes inside and outside. Well, not just that, under the hood Hyundai introduced a brand new turbo petrol engine.

   This powerful engine is a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine that is capable of generating 118bhp of max power and 172Nm of peak torque. The motor makes it possible for the i20 to have a power to weight ratio of 105bhp/ton. Also, the car weighs about 1015kgs.

2. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios (97bhp/ton)
   

   

   Well, the second car on sale with decent power to weight ratio is again from the Koreans, it’s the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo. Like its bigger sibling, this too gets a 1.0-litre turbo petrol GDI engine but in a different state of tune. This slightly different engine produces 100bhp of max power and 172Nm of peak torque.

   The Grand i10 turbo comes mated to only a 5-speed manual gearbox with no option of an automatic. This potent engine gives this hatchback power to weight ratio of 97bhp/ton as it weights 921kgs.

3. Tata Altroz Turbo (94bhp/ton)
   

   

   At the beginning of 2021, Tata launched the updated Altroz with a turbo petrol engine. The company did this to celebrate the one year anniversary of their premium hatchback Altroz. That said, Tata pampered this hatchback with their 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine that also does duties in the Nexon.

   But in Altroz it sits in a slightly different state of tune. This motor in Altroz generates 100bhp of max power and 140Nm of peak torque. This engine comes mated to only a 5 speed MT with no automatic. As Altroz weights 1036kgs so the power to weight ratio stands at 94bhp/ton.

4. Volkswagen Polo TSI (92bhp/ton)
   

   

   One of the oldest hatchbacks on this list is the Volkswagen Polo. Over the years, the Polo did get subtle upgrades but majorly they were under the hood. In the latest update, the polo got a new engine after the implementation of BS6 emission norms in India.

   This is where the Polo ditched the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine and now gets a 1.0-litre TSI motor. This new engine produces 109bhp of max power and the peak torque sits at 175Nm. This engine comes mated to either a 6-speed MT or a 6-Speed AT (Torque Converter). Additionally, Volkswagen Polo weighs 1072kgs so the power to weight ratio is about 92bhp/ton.

5. Maruti Suzuki Swift (91bhp/ton)
   

   

   One of the unexpected entry in the list is the Maruti Suzuki Swift. Well, after the launch of the new 2021 Swift this was so evident. The new 2021 Maruti Suzuki Swift gets an updated engine with subtle changes on the inside.

   Now like the Dzire, the new Swift also gets the 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated dual jet engine. This engine is capable of generating a max power of 89bhp and a peak torque of 113Nm. Because the car weighs just 875kgs the power to weight ratio is 91bhp/ton.

6. Maruti Suzuki Ignis (89bhp/ton)
   

   

   The Japanese carmakers are famous for making light, reliable, yet potent vehicles, Maruti Suzuki Ignis is among them. Because of the lightweight and beautiful 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine, the Ignis earns a power to weight ratio of 89bhp/ton. For you to know, the Ignis weighs just 825kgs.

   Additionally, this gets a similar engine as the swift but does not share similar power figures. This 1.2-litre engine is healthy enough to generate 82bhp of max power and 113Nm of maximum torque. This engine comes mated to either a 5-speed MT or a 5-speed AMT.

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7. Fiat Abarth Punto (120bhp/ton)
   

   

   Possibly the most affordable hatchback with the best power to weight ratio in India has to be the Fiat Abarth Punto. Sadly after the implementation of the BS6 emission norms, Fiat wrapped up their business and sailed away so did the Abarth Punto. Still, before that, this hot-hatch came with a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine which was capable of generating a mind-blowing 145bhp and 212Nm of peak torque.

   This hatchback came with a 5-speed manual transmission with no automatic, of course, who needs an auto box with such a powerful engine. The Punto used to weigh 1095kgs which was a little on the higher side, still, it got the power to weight ratio of 120bhp/ton,
   1095, 145bhp

8. Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS (96bhp/ton)
   

   

   Maruti Suzuki and hot hatches didn’t have a good relation in the past here in India. Maruti with its Baleno RS did try to capture the market of the hot hatches in the country but failed. So, after the BS6 came into power, Baleno RS left.

   It was a potent vehicle that boasted of a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. This motor generated 101bhp of max power and 150Nm of peak torque. With this engine only a 5-speed manual gearbox was available. The hatchback weighs only 950kgs hence the power to weight ratio is about 96bhp/ton.

The last two cars mentioned are just to remember and are not available as new. So, these were the 6 cars currently on sale that have good power to weight ratio. let us know in the comment section, which one is your favourite?

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