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Originally Posted by deetjohn The stereotyped Indian media paints a different picture, but I honestly believe there are many out there who would value such a car. Let me know! And please be honest - there is no judgement here, just curious. I can totally understand if the preference is for a Sonet or EcoSport or the City sedan instead of this. Let's find out! |
Thanks for the thread and count me in.
Till date the most fun I had driving(overseas) was on a Golf(1.4TSI/1.2TSI/1.6NA). The Polo GT TSI is what comes closest here but in 2020 its old and the VW maintenance costs do hurt, also not very optimistic about VW's future in India.
But like you rightly said there's a gap that exists.
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Originally Posted by deetjohn The parallel to that in our market will be a full size hatchback which is a proper drivers car with a potent petrol engine. The driver's car part is non negotiable! It's got to steer wonderfully, handle joyfully, ride okay and brake very well. Coupled with a 6MT & a torque converter 6AT. The latter is to widen its appeal a bit. And built well inside out. No need for fancy or rich material either - but everything should feel strong and be fitted properly.
And no need for vanity kit - big touchscreen or sunroof or digital dials or ventilated bottoms. A nice fabric seat can do the job. The idea is to save money on these, but not to dilute the driving aspects. I would prefer such a machine over a SUV or sedan. And I am willing to pay 13~15 lakhs for it - on the road. Is there a market for such a car here? Essentially, the GR Yaris for the Indian market - the car that shouldn't exist, but we are so glad it does exist. |
Exactly, you nailed the requirements along with the price range. Anything more expensive and given how small the market is, the sales will start thinning and make it untenable for the manufacturer. For a majority of us it will either be the only car(first/upgrade) or the other car. So although the Polo GTI is very attractive but 23-25 lakhs on road doesn't work.
This is very similar to buying a big-bike. Bikes priced in around 8-12 lakhs on road have much better sales than the ones priced higher(except some purpose built ones). For example, if the requirement is of a simple parallel twin 650cc ADV with 70-80bhp, 17-21 liter tank and switchable ABS in 8-10 lakhs on road that's it. Any other features are welcome but strictly optional(read traction control, rider modes, heated grips, TFT instrumentation etc.). Neither will a full blown 1000cc multi with everything automated at 20 lakhs fulfill the requirement nor will a 400cc machine with heated grips and TFT displays at 4 lakhs do the job.
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Originally Posted by GTO Anyone who needs a little brand sheen - a weak name like Nissan or a newcomer like Citroen / Kia - should experiment with a hot hatchback. Will attract the enthusiast community toward them and add some allure to their nameplate. |
Interesting idea, this could be the "rising from ashes" moment for a dying brand, but I don't think they have petrol-heads taking business decisions, sadly. They'll either try to go for numbers, so "bang for the buck" products or build themselves as a luxury marque. I don't blame them but seems like that's what we are buying right from Kwids to Seltos/Hectors and everyone wants to cash in on the "SUV revolution".
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Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR IMHO - No, even though we'd all like to pretend otherwise!
The Abarth Punto offered a 145hp turbo petrol motor, as against the 90hp diesel of the normal variant - had good build quality, was lowered than the regular variant and had stiffer suspension, all wheel disc brakes, hydraulic steering - and was a hoot to drive. Priced at 9.95 lakhs ex-showroom!
That was a GR Yaris as far as the performance-starved Indian market was concerned? But flopped as expected - because we expect our cars to be allrounders. At a 9.95 lakh price tag - it didn't have creature comforts like a sunroof, touchscreen audio etc. It sold 79 units in CY2019, 35 units in CY2018 - the whole definition of no market demand! Even among enthusiasts - it was deemed overpriced, whereas a year after it is discontinued - Hyundai has now breached 11 lakhs with the regular i20! |
Excellent point about the Abarth, but one thing that might have also worked against it was the perceived image of FIAT and even more its A.S.S. situation. I never owned one but had friends who owned the Palio, Punto and Linea. All loved their cars but all hated the A.S.S. in the same breath. But I might be wrong about its impact on sales as I don't know the sales figures of other FIATs when the Abarth was around.
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Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR But then again, there are quite a lot of comparisons drawn to cars like the Sonet for the features it offer at a slightly cheaper 12.99 lakhs. Thankfully though - this one is nothing but a flop! |
This makes me sad, our car buying has gone from "this is what I want" to "what can I get for this much". The "car" doesn't seems to matter anymore. We are driving feature-lists.
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Originally Posted by deetjohn With the current economic scenario, this might be a good time to bring back that normalization again or better still - scrap this stupid small car rule once and for all. |
Couldn't agree more on this. Something inside me still cringes when I hear the words "sedan" for a DZire/XCent and "SUV" for a Nexon/Ecosport(even S-Presso). I think we were heading in the right direction with "sedan"(City/Accent/Vento/Jetta) and "SUV"(Safari/Scorpio) when the "sub 4m rule" happened and things took a turn for the worse.
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Originally Posted by deetjohn The latest Polo with the 1.5 TSI + AT + 5 doors at around 15 lakhs. Or even the latest Fiesta with the 1.5 EcoBoost! A car which can also work as a single car in the family for an enthusiast. A modern car from the latest generation, but with a variant leaning towards the driver! Sure, there will be some compromises, but you get the gist! |
Exactly, I had driven the 1.4TSI on a Golf, the 1.5TSI on the latest Polo should suffice most of us(not just VW but any car on the same lines).
VW doesn't seem very keen in India(the "handover" to Skoda) so can't consider them seriously(still waiting for the not so new Polo).
The Mahindra-Ford alliance could bring something interesting but I think they'll focus on SUVs initially.
For now, I have hopes with the Altroz Turbo Petrol.
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Originally Posted by deetjohn So, Toyota is also shortchanging even the advanced markets with the boring variants of Yaris. I honestly don't know what to feel about it! |
Yes, Yaris isn't considered remotely related to performance, overseas. It sells because its a low priced Toyota meaning reliable, cheap maintenance and good resale. In short "foreign" Maruti