Igniting the thrill of driving with the Tata Altroz Racer

At evo India, we live by the motto: Life is too short to drive boring cars. And while that’s true, you also need some semblance of normalcy in your life, which is where hot hatches, or rather warm hatches, come in. You don't need a racetrack to test their potential, and they don’t demand Max Verstappen-level skills to get the most out of them. They’re a format of car that we enthusiasts grew up with, often the first cars in which we experienced the Thrill of Driving. Sadly, with the onslaught of compact SUVs, this segment seems to be lost entirely. But all that’s about to change with a new fast hatchback set to launch in India very soon – the Altroz Racer. The Tata Altroz is a fantastic car with solid architecture, and we appreciated its practical and valuable attributes. We took it mile-munching, and we also took the iCNG version across the G-Quad, thoroughly impressed by its capabilities. However, it was the Altroz Racer that caught our fancy when we first saw it at Auto Expo 2022. The looks, the powertrain, the interiors, the features, and the overall appeal of a fast, enthusiastic car got us excited.

The Altroz’s overall silhouette was already quite appealing, and the Racer, with its sporty graphics, makes it even more enticing. It has an all-black roof and bonnet with white racing lines. The all black treatment and the Racer badging on the front fender give it a unique identity. It drives on sportier diamond-cut 16-inch alloy wheels that look pretty smashing. One of the best design details is the pronounced rear spoiler. Combine the sharpness of the Altroz with a dash of sportiness, and you end up with a very desirable looking hot hatch.

The sporty theme is also carried over to the inside, with Granite Black upholstery and eye-catching red contrast stitching. It also has stripes and Racer embossing on the head restraints. More red inserts around the centre console and the AC vents, along with the glossy dash layout. All these additions make the inside more of an occasion.

The Tata Altroz Racer is not just about performance and style; it also prioritises comfort. It is equipped with a new 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster. It features segment-first ventilated front seats, a head-up display, a voice activated sunroof, a 360-degree camera, rear AC vents, an air purifier, and wireless charging. The Tata Altroz is built on Global NCAP 5-star rated ALFA architecture and gets six airbags and ESC as standard, so safety isn't a compromise.

One of the significant highlights of the Racer edition of Altroz is its performance. It gets a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol unit putting out 118bhp of power and 170Nm of torque – up by 8bhp and 30Nm compared to the current Altroz iTurbo. The increase in power is also complemented by the 6-speed manual gearbox. This, also means that the Racer edition can extract maximum potential out of the engine without compromising fuel efficiency. The three-pedal setup and sportier turbo-petrol engine ignite the Thrill of Driving, making everyday commuting an adrenaline-packed affair. Yes, you read it right; it's a three-pedal setup. Tata Motors is taking up the cause of saving the manual quite seriously. Tata Motors’ fast hatch is almost upon us, and we’re going to drive it very soon. Since so much of it is based on the already launched Altroz, we don't expect it to be priced out of whack either. Good pricing, strong performance, head-turning looks, 5-star safety and classy interiors should make the Altroz Racer one of the most exciting cars of the year!