Tata Altroz i-Turbo, Track Test

When I first drove the Altroz nearly two years ago, I noticed that the car had a lot working in its favour, especially its chassis, ride quality, and interior space. But, one thing that I missed was a powerful petrol engine, which could really make that stiff chassis shine. Tata changed that with the launch of the i-Turbo, powering it with its familiar 1.2-litre Revotron engine, which, in this trim, produces 108bhp and 140Nm of torque. Paired to the turbocharged engine is a 5-speed manual gearbox. And given the Altroz’s attractive pricing, there is no doubt that it makes for an enticing package as a powerful hatch.

However, unfortunately, this appeal doesn’t translate all that well on the road. That’s not to say that the Altroz doesn’t have anything to offer, for it does. For instance, the ride quality is fantastic and the high-speed stability is good too. But, the 5-speed gearbox hampers drivability – the addition of a 6th gear would be very welcome. Also, the chassis is capable of handling much more power – the Nexon features the same engine in a more powerful avatar – which is something that you really feel on the track. Also, its NVH levels and general refinement are not good enough for the segment it competes in. Hence the low 2.5 ratings.

Now, it does score highly in terms of comfort and practicality – it shines in these categories in the segment. The design, too, is definitely a highlight – the Altroz looks simply stunning on the road. It has also received a decent score in terms of ride and handling. Of course, the Altroz scores quite highly in the value-for-money category. Considering how expensive its rivals have become, the Altroz seems very well priced. But, ultimately, its slow performance on the track, combined with its low refinement levels, means that while the Altroz exhibits a lot of promise, it isn’t as good as its sibling, the Punch, to come out on top.

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