5 Most Powerful Hatchbacks Under Rs 10 Lakh

Gone are the days when you had to spend a bomb if you wanted to drive a powerful car. As more and more people are showing an interest in the hot hatch segment, many automakers have introduced powerful hatchbacks that are affordable too. We have listed five hatchbacks in this story that feature a powerful engine and are priced below Rs 10 lakh. Let’s check them out.

1) Ford Figo 1.5D/1.5AT

The Ford Figo is an excellent value-for-money car in terms of performance. The petrol variant has a 1.5-litre engine under the hood that produces 112PS of power and 136Nm of torque. However, priced at Rs 7.44 lakh, it is only being offered with an automatic transmission and does not come in the top-end – the Titanium Plus – trim.

If you want the Figo with a manual transmission, go for the diesel variants. Although the 1.5-litre diesel engine produces slightly less power (100PS) than the petrol variant, it has a massive torque of 215Nm and is available in the top-end – the Titanium Plus – trim. It is priced at Rs 7.26 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).  

2) Maruti Baleno RS

Showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo and finally launched on March 3, 2017, at a price of Rs 8.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Baleno RS is the latest entry into this segment. The car is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine which puts out 102PS of max power at 5,500rpm and 150Nm of peak torque between 1,700-4,500rpm. It has a five-speed manual transmission and offers a power-to-weight ratio of 0.107PS/Kg. It is offered in the Alpha variant, which means it comes loaded with features like 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control and push-button start/stop. Compared to the standard Baleno, the RS also has some cosmetic changes. It features redesigned front and rear bumpers, along with body skirts.  

3) Volkswagen Polo GT TSI/ TDI

The Volkswagen Polo GT TSI has a 1.2-litre petrol engine under the hood that produces 105PS of power and 175Nm of torque. It is coupled to a seven-speed automatic DSG transmission which powers the front wheels. The GT TSI has a power-to-weight ratio of 0.094PS/kg and is priced at Rs 9.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Its diesel version – the GT TDI – is powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine which produces 110PS and 250Nm and has a five-speed manual transmission. It is priced at Rs 9.32 lakh and has a power-to-weight ratio of 0.095PS/kg.

In terms of cosmetics, compared to the standard Polo, the GT variants have sporty black-and-grey fabric seats with contrast stitching, aluminium pedals and GT badges.

4) Abarth Punto

The most powerful and most expensive car in this list is the Fiat Abarth Punto. Introduced in the Indian market in October 2015 with a price tag of Rs 9.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it is powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine which churns out 145PS of power and 212Nm of torque. The Abarth Punto has a power-to-weight ratio of 0.121PS/Kg and Fiat claims that it can reach from a standstill to the 100kmph mark in just 8.8 seconds. The hatchback features 16-inch alloy wheels, aluminium pedals and Abarth decals all over it. It also has rear AC vents and smart airbags that deploy based on the severity of the collision.

5) Maruti Swift 1.2

Well, you must be a little surprised to see one of India’s most popular hatchbacks on this list. However, the Swift has all the rights to be here. It is powered by a 1.2-litre peppy petrol engine that puts out 85PS of power and 115Nm of torque. The gearbox is also amazing and you can't help but notice how great it is in the handling department. While the base variant starts at Rs 4.76 lakh, the fully loaded trims can cost you up to Rs 6.4 lakh. It is a very good option if you are looking for an exciting car in a limited budget.