Upcoming hot hatches in India

jassi · 1st July 2007, 20:49

Hi All - as of today hot hatches in India are few and far. Palio 1.6 normally comes to mind, and maybe swift if modded well. However this discussion is not what cars qualify as the existing hot hatches but more about which hot hatches we expect to be launched in India and are worth waiting for.
I am sure there are plenty of people who want the performance but not the 3 box boot - something thats easier to drive and park and all the more better if the hatch can be easily modded to a hot hatch

I have personally heard of the following on this forum and from magazines
1) skoda fabia - soon to be launched, but what are the specs and is it frequently modded (read easily modded)
2) fiat punto - again - soon to be launched, but what are the specs and is it frequently modded abroad
3) volkswagen golf - i read somewhere it will be launched in 2009

So throw in your ideas on what hatches are worth the wait, it will help us plan for and own that next hot hatch

cheers,
j

navdeep · 1st July 2007, 22:04

I think this has been discussed n number of times

jassi · 1st July 2007, 23:11

Hi Navdeep - i have been trying to look across the forum on upcoming performance hatches, but theres bits and pieces of info scattered here and there, easier if you know the name (like fabia) but mostly one doesn't know the name of a future car and hence forum search don't work. I was looking at a one stop thread for anyone who wants to know what performance hatches are going to be launched and what to expect if one waits for them, irrespective of whether detailed threads exist for those cars or not.
As of now I am not even sure if the above cars - fabia, punto or golf will be launched in a sports/performance package and with what engine. Or maybe someone could add if existing cars are going to have a sports variant - swift sport for example or if there are any other performance hatches which are going to be launched (honda, hyundai maybe??)
I tried searching with the following specific keywords - i tried "hot hatch", "upcoming hatch" and "performance hatch" all with no luck.
Hence just thought things would be easier with one thread

Once detailed thread exists for the car, people can be directed to those threads for further info, and we can continue discussing on this thread the cars that we don't yet have enough inputs to warrant a detailed thread.

Lets see if people have any inputs

windsurfer · 2nd July 2007, 12:02

I don't think we are still ready for hot hatches. There are good number of people who would like 2L 150 BHP hatches. But the numbers do not justify manufacturing such engines here. We are more obsessed with FE than safety and/or performance. So, expecting them is nice but will they be launched is the next question that comes to mind.
And even if they launch good cars, they will be launched with 1.2L engines for better FE.

theMAG · 2nd July 2007, 13:15

The only one worth waiting for is the Fiat Grande Punto - whenever thats realeased.

jassi · 2nd July 2007, 13:53

i heard the punto is going to be released in a diesel engine variant only (no petrol) and thats the same being used in swift diesel. Or do they have some more capacity engines lined up for the india launch.
Any honda hatchbacks - they were showing jazz on one of the news channels few months back.
Infact golf in 2009 seems really worth waiting for - if it is true

GTO · 2nd July 2007, 14:52

A performance hatch will generally mean two things:

1. Lower fuel-efficiency: The Palio 1.6 proved why this will never work.

2. Cost in the region (or over) sedans: Another bummer from the sales point of view.

If anything, this is a niche segment. But the smart manufacturer who is looking at enhancing the brand / image (and not outright sales) may just do well.

Hellcat · 2nd July 2007, 15:25

Fiat Grande Punto is worth the wait...
Volkswagen Golf... to good to be true...

Hellcat.

madan80 · 2nd July 2007, 15:26

true - i think mfgs should have a sort of "agreement" with the govt to import performance cars sans duty for consuming public. this can then allow the few people to actually enjoy them.

vkochar · 2nd July 2007, 15:30

I think SRV is a very Hot Hatch - though not in the league of Performance Oriented Hatches, It still looks very Hot !! What say Mates ??

Just give it to Autopsyche & its going to be one Wicked looking Drive !!!

jassi · 2nd July 2007, 15:56

I have always felt chevy srv is an awesome looking hatch - its expensive so if you own it, you get exclusivity too

But ever since I joined tbhp, i noticed there not one good thread dedicated to the 1.6 ltr 100bhp vehicle and in most cases 1.6 ltr palio is the defacto performance hatch recommendation. Even though srv has a good engine, I think its not tuned well and I am sure there must be ways of getting past that. That would make it one of the best looking performance hatches

pmbabu · 2nd July 2007, 15:56

Today's Times of India Bangalore Edition has an article stating that Honda plans to introduce 2 hatchbacks. One completely new (at M800 level) and another based on Jazz platform. HSIL folks have said that both the cars will be available by 2009 but at least one should be available in 2008.

reignofchaos · 2nd July 2007, 15:59

Too bad India will never see cars like the Civic Type-R for a while. The market is not mature enough for sure. I'd love to see a few sports coupes making their way to india too. Frankly between a hatch and a coupe of similar performance, I'd choose the coupe anyday.

jassi · 2nd July 2007, 16:48

now if honda launches a hatch - irrespective of what segment (800 or santro), I am sure many of our vtec friends maybe ready to plonk their vtec engines into a honda hatch instead of zen maybe

As far as volkswagen plans for india VW Targets India: Volkswagen Mulls Major Indian Factory - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News
and the polo is coming for sure if not golf

Volkswagen Polo for India - VW’s new Polo variant by ’09, pictures and price

vkochar · 2nd July 2007, 17:33

Civic - TYPE-R is one awesome car reignofchaos. I have had the luck to drive it when I was in UK in May. Just took it for a short spin near Leictershire. I do not have an International Driving License so I drove at someones farm, Boy was it AWESOME. It was great. I think when I checked with the owner, he said it costs £ 18000.00 ( That is over 14 Lacs in UK, imagine what is it in India )

Its a 1998 cc engine churning out 197 BHP !!!! Last heard / read somewhere, HONDA has no plans to introduce this car before 2010 in India. It will come one day but I just hope it does in time.

Till then we will do just fine drooling at SRV

1st July 2007, 20:49	#1
jassi BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 980 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Upcoming hot hatches in India Hi All - as of today hot hatches in India are few and far. Palio 1.6 normally comes to mind, and maybe swift if modded well. However this discussion is not what cars qualify as the existing hot hatches but more about which hot hatches we expect to be launched in India and are worth waiting for. I am sure there are plenty of people who want the performance but not the 3 box boot - something thats easier to drive and park and all the more better if the hatch can be easily modded to a hot hatch I have personally heard of the following on this forum and from magazines 1) skoda fabia - soon to be launched, but what are the specs and is it frequently modded (read easily modded) 2) fiat punto - again - soon to be launched, but what are the specs and is it frequently modded abroad 3) volkswagen golf - i read somewhere it will be launched in 2009 So throw in your ideas on what hatches are worth the wait, it will help us plan for and own that next hot hatch cheers, j
	() Thanks

1st July 2007, 22:04	#2
navdeep BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 892 Thanked: 4 Times	I think this has been discussed n number of times
	() Thanks

1st July 2007, 23:11	#3
jassi BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 980 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Hi Navdeep - i have been trying to look across the forum on upcoming performance hatches, but theres bits and pieces of info scattered here and there, easier if you know the name (like fabia) but mostly one doesn't know the name of a future car and hence forum search don't work. I was looking at a one stop thread for anyone who wants to know what performance hatches are going to be launched and what to expect if one waits for them, irrespective of whether detailed threads exist for those cars or not. As of now I am not even sure if the above cars - fabia, punto or golf will be launched in a sports/performance package and with what engine. Or maybe someone could add if existing cars are going to have a sports variant - swift sport for example or if there are any other performance hatches which are going to be launched (honda, hyundai maybe??) I tried searching with the following specific keywords - i tried "hot hatch", "upcoming hatch" and "performance hatch" all with no luck. Hence just thought things would be easier with one thread Once detailed thread exists for the car, people can be directed to those threads for further info, and we can continue discussing on this thread the cars that we don't yet have enough inputs to warrant a detailed thread. Lets see if people have any inputs
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 12:02	#4
windsurfer BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dundee, UK Posts: 513 Thanked: 25 Times	I don't think we are still ready for hot hatches. There are good number of people who would like 2L 150 BHP hatches. But the numbers do not justify manufacturing such engines here. We are more obsessed with FE than safety and/or performance. So, expecting them is nice but will they be launched is the next question that comes to mind. And even if they launch good cars, they will be launched with 1.2L engines for better FE.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 13:15	#5
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	The only one worth waiting for is the Fiat Grande Punto - whenever thats realeased.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 13:53	#6
jassi BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 980 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	i heard the punto is going to be released in a diesel engine variant only (no petrol) and thats the same being used in swift diesel. Or do they have some more capacity engines lined up for the india launch. Any honda hatchbacks - they were showing jazz on one of the news channels few months back. Infact golf in 2009 seems really worth waiting for - if it is true
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 14:52	#7
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,668 Times View My Garage	A performance hatch will generally mean two things: 1. Lower fuel-efficiency: The Palio 1.6 proved why this will never work. 2. Cost in the region (or over) sedans: Another bummer from the sales point of view. If anything, this is a niche segment. But the smart manufacturer who is looking at enhancing the brand / image (and not outright sales) may just do well.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 15:25	#8
Hellcat BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 222 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Fiat Grande Punto is worth the wait... Volkswagen Golf... to good to be true... Hellcat.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 15:26	#9
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	true - i think mfgs should have a sort of "agreement" with the govt to import performance cars sans duty for consuming public. this can then allow the few people to actually enjoy them.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 15:30	#10
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	I think SRV is a very Hot Hatch - though not in the league of Performance Oriented Hatches, It still looks very Hot !! What say Mates ?? Just give it to Autopsyche & its going to be one Wicked looking Drive !!!
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 15:56	#11
jassi BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 980 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	I have always felt chevy srv is an awesome looking hatch - its expensive so if you own it, you get exclusivity too But ever since I joined tbhp, i noticed there not one good thread dedicated to the 1.6 ltr 100bhp vehicle and in most cases 1.6 ltr palio is the defacto performance hatch recommendation. Even though srv has a good engine, I think its not tuned well and I am sure there must be ways of getting past that. That would make it one of the best looking performance hatches
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 15:56	#12
pmbabu BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On The Net Posts: 335 Thanked: 47 Times	Today's Times of India Bangalore Edition has an article stating that Honda plans to introduce 2 hatchbacks. One completely new (at M800 level) and another based on Jazz platform. HSIL folks have said that both the cars will be available by 2009 but at least one should be available in 2008.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 15:59	#13
reignofchaos Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,542 Thanked: 2,450 Times View My Garage	Too bad India will never see cars like the Civic Type-R for a while. The market is not mature enough for sure. I'd love to see a few sports coupes making their way to india too. Frankly between a hatch and a coupe of similar performance, I'd choose the coupe anyday.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 16:48	#14
jassi BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 980 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	now if honda launches a hatch - irrespective of what segment (800 or santro), I am sure many of our vtec friends maybe ready to plonk their vtec engines into a honda hatch instead of zen maybe As far as volkswagen plans for india VW Targets India: Volkswagen Mulls Major Indian Factory - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News and the polo is coming for sure if not golf Volkswagen Polo for India - VW’s new Polo variant by ’09, pictures and price
	() Thanks

2nd July 2007, 17:33	#15
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	Civic - TYPE-R is one awesome car *reignofchaos*. I have had the luck to drive it when I was in UK in May. Just took it for a short spin near Leictershire. I do not have an International Driving License so I drove at someones farm, Boy was it AWESOME. It was great. I think when I checked with the owner, he said it costs £ 18000.00 ( That is over 14 Lacs in UK, imagine what is it in India ) Its a 1998 cc engine churning out 197 BHP !!!! Last heard / read somewhere, HONDA has no plans to introduce this car before 2010 in India. It will come one day but I just hope it does in time. Till then we will do just fine drooling at SRV
	() Thanks