Tata Altroz Racer review - A hot Proposition

Whoever doesn't love a hot hatchback? Folklore tells us hot hatches are the most affordable way to have great fun. But with the recent SUV trend almost taking over the market entirely, does the new Tata Altroz Racer make for a sensible purchase? Well, not quite but Tata still did it because they believe that there still is a niche market for performance-oriented hatchbacks. We already had the Tiago JTP a couple of years ago and the Altroz Racer will follow up on that as the fast, fun-to-drive hatchback that could put a smile on your face without having to break the bank. So does this new i20 N Line competitor have what it takes to be a conversation starter among Indian car enthusiasts? Let's find out.

Tata Altroz Racer: Powertrain

The Altroz Racer is powered by the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that's straight from the Nexon and it's good enough for about 120 PS of power and 170 Nm of torque. This engine is mated only to a 5-speed manual transmission. No, Tata Motors hasn't just picked the engine out of the compact SUV and plonked it into the Racer. It has been tweaked for better delivery and the gear ratios are also shortened for a more engaging drive.

Right from the lift the moderately reworked engine does feel more mature and really impresses you when you're in the middle of the power band. Power is delivered quite swiftly and confidently when you put your foot down and you get the feeling the engine likes being revved. While the red line is at 6,000rpm, the best part of that engine suffices at 5,000rpm. So, if you're someone who loves being engaged with the engine even on your everyday commutes, you would come to enjoy the Altroz Racer.

The Altorz Racer really lives up to that 'RACER' badge when you're on the open highway and need to make quick overtakes. Even if you're cruising at 100kmph and need to move up, put your foot down and the engine makes even top-end performance not look insane per se but effortless which is something most drivers/enthusiasts would appreciate. Tata has also paid a lot of attention to the exhaust note of the car and it does sound extremely fruity especially when you're getting off the stop light. It's kind of like a reassurance that this is no standard Altroz.

Tata Altroz Racer: Transmission

Just as mentioned above, the Altroz Racer is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission and misses out on automatic offering. The transmission features a hydraulic clutch and the pedal does feel light. The gear throws are slightly longer than you would expect though and it's not the smoothest on the manuals we've driven. So if you're pushing the car to its limits, be mindful of the fact that the gearbox is not the easiest to keep chucking. We got to hoon the Altorz Racer around the track and a few times we did beg for flush shifts but that won't be the case as much when you're on city roads or highways.

Tata Altroz Racer: Handling

The Altroz chassis is something we have always appreciated and that happens to be one of the main talking points in the Racer as well. There have been modest changes to the suspension damping and power steering software. Not a large update but significant enough for us to say that the Altorz Racer handles sharp corners quite enthusiastically. On the road, the suspension doesn't feel awfully stiff and while there are few shockwaves sent across the cabin, it is not so evident. The car does stick to the tarmac well while edging into bends and while there is a bit of lean, there is no sense of uncertainty. The braking department is where we would've liked disc brakes for the rear wheels as the car did beg for more stopping power on India's latest circuit, CoASTT but for everyday usage, we don't think it would feel the same.

Tata Altroz Racer: Design

Talking about the looks, the new Altroz Racer doesn't look anything like a regular Altorz either. Well, there aren't any changes made to the overall design of the car but aesthetically the car does look very sporty compared to a standard Altroz. First of all, you have 3 exclusive colours to choose from Atomic Orange, Avenue White and Pure Grey, all of which come with a blackened bonnet. Other details include white racing stripes on the bonnet that stretches over to the roof as well and there is 'RACER' badging on the front fender which is surprisingly the only Racer badge on the car.

While the exhaust has been touched upon by Tata Motors to make the Altorz Racer sound more furious, they could've also given some thought to making the exhaust tips more sporty or even visible for that matter because while the exhaust is a dual pipe setup, it is tucked completely under the bumper. The side skirts though are a neat touch and so is the new roof spoiler. The 16-inch alloys might look familiar in terms of their design but have been blackened out for a bit of differentiation.

Tata Altroz Racer: Interior & Features

On the inside is where you will notice things have been spiced up quite a notch. Your eyes immediately focus on the new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment that is available in newer Tata products and features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also features connected car tech, is paired to a pretty nice 8-speaker audio system and is also the display for the new 360-degree camera set-up that displays 2D/3D surround view. The driver also gets a new 7-inch digital display which displays all the necessary information.

Look around the cabin and you will notice orange is a theme (regardless of the exterior colour you opt for) and it is used in the ambient lighting, stitching on the seats, and steering wheel and a few more splashes around the cabin. 'Racer' is embroidered into the headrests which does show a lot of attention to detail.

The seats feel premium and are decently bolstered. The headroom was a bit tight for me as I am 6ft tall and the addition of a helmet (mandatory for track) meant that I had to drive with the cover for the sunroof open. The second row provides comfortable seating for two people, with extra space for a third person if necessary. The safety kit includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts, electronic stability program, traction control, hill hold and a 5-star rating from GNCAP.

Tata Altroz Racer: Verdict

So is the Tata Altroz Racer the hot hatch to buy? The powertrain does make this a very appealing package as it is quick and quite fun to enjoy. The additional features also tip me to call the Racer priced between Rs 9.49 lakh to Rs 10.99 lakh (ex-showroom) a great bang for your buck. So if you're willing to look past the fact that there is no automatic transmission to choose from and the 6-speed manual isn't the finest in the industry, then you might actually enjoy the Altroz Racer. It might be a small package but it would definitely put a big smile on your face.