7 Standard Cars And Their Sportier Siblings In India

Throughout the history of some of the most popular car models in India, carmakers have time and again adopted the ideology of pushing a sporty sibling in a bid to woo both the standard customers as well as those who crave a sportier iteration. So here are 7 standard cars, and their sportier siblings in India:

1. Tata Tiago | Tata Tiago JTP
   

   

   Launched in 2016, the Tata Tiago changed the way people looked at Tata Motors making the hatchback one of Tata’s most popular cars in the Indian market. Fast forward to 2018, Tata adopted the classic ideology and pushed the Tata Tiago JTP; a sportier sibling of the Tiago, that produced a bit more power, along with a reworked suspension, JTP badging and sportier modification to the exteriors.

2. Ford Figo | Ford Figo S
   

   

   First launched in 2010, the Ford Figo saw a mixed consumer response over the years. While there were avid Ford fans rooting for the hatch, there were also critics that were sceptical about the hatch from the beginning. But with an overall response that made the Figo a rather hit, the company in a bid to cater to those who wanted more, launched the Figo S where S meant Sports. The new hatch came with reworked suspension, a few cosmetic changes, meatier alloys and much more to make the hatchback more interesting.

3. Fiat Punto | Punto Abarth
   

   

   Probably one of the most fondly remembered standard and sporty siblings of all times, the Punto and Punto Abarth. First launched in 2009, the Fiat Punto has been the best-selling model for the automaker in India for the entire 10 years of its lifecycle. Despite the Punto’s success, the automaker bought in the Punto Abarth to claim segment domination. The sporty sibling of the Punto, the Punto Abarth brought in a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produced a whopping 145 PS making the Abarth sprint 0 to 100 in 8.8 seconds. Along with that, the Abarth also saw head to toe cosmetic changes that made the hatch wear the Abarth theme.

   Checkout: 8 Most Underrated Cars In India | From Punto Abarth To Tata Hexa

4. Volkswagen Polo | Polo GT TSI
   

   

   A combo that still impresses the masses, the Volkswagen Polo and Polo GT TSI is a pair that shows how successful the standard-sports pairing can be. While the Volkswagen Polo was and continue to be a hit in the market, the Polo GT as a sportier sibling of the Polo shines as a well-made hatch. With GT badging all over, the Polo GT TSI brought in a high-performance 1.2-litre TSI engine that made the GT TSI faster than its standard sibling; something that made the Polo GT TSI shine.

   Also Read: 5 Things To Know About The 2021 Volkswagen Polo GTI

5. Celerio | Celerio X
   

   

   With all major OEMs following the strategy, Maruti too didn’t want to be left behind. This is why they brought in the Celerio X in 2017; a sportier iteration of the Standard bread and butter Celerio, the Celerio X was Maruti’s move to match the competition. The Celerio X however, only brought in cosmetic changes and nothing under the hood.

6. Hyundai i20 | i20 N-Line
   

   

   The latest standard-sport hatch combination to hit the market, the Hyundai i20 and i20 N-Line is a testament to how long the trend has now come. While the i20 was given a generation update in 2020, the automaker was fast to push in the sportier i20 N-Line in 2021. The N-Line brings in a much sportier and aggressive look, along with the same engine options onboard and ample features. Nonetheless, the N-Line is even more exciting than the already well-crafted i20, with both siblings available to cater to different consumers.

   Also Read: Hyundai’s N Line Explained | Expected N Line Cars In India

7. Jeep Compass | Jeep Compass Trailhawk
   

   

   Ending the list with some premium SUV standard-sport combination, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is the last sportier sibling to hit the market. A notch over its sibling the Jeep Compass, the Trailhawk brings in an off-road-oriented offering that is only powered by diesel with refreshed exteriors as well as interiors. Launched in February 2022, the Trailhawk is the latest mid-life update to the Compass.

   So there were 7 standard cars and their sportier siblings in India. Stay pinned to the GoMechanic Blog for everything automotive.