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AUTO X-TRA The BT Car Bazaar Buying a car has never been so easy-or so difficult. To help you decide, a BT-AutoCar India rating puts all of India's cars-big, small, and flashy-through their paces. Hop on.
Maruti has souped up its workhorse with a multi-point fuel injection system and five-speed gearbox,and even a superior suspension. All petrol-heads will love the increase in performance. It is extremely light to drive on city streets and easily nips in and out of tight gaps. But its brakes aren't good enough for the kind of speed (140 kph) the 800 can do. Still, a great entry car.
The switch to multi-point fuel injection and four-valve-per-cylinder head on the Zen is great for the environment, but even better for the car enthusiast. All this has boosted power output by a whopping 20% to 60 bhp, making the pocket-rocket an excellent choice. The Zen diesel is a great car too, except that it isn't the no-frills car that diesel drivers want their machines to be.
The Alto comes like a breath of fresh air to Maruti's small car range. It is extremely well made with superb fit and finish for a car that sits at the absolute bottom of the market. The stiff chassis, combined with the superbly calibrated suspension, manages to give the little Alto a big-car feel. But its cramped interior betrays its small-car lineage. Yet, quite simply, the best small car in town.
The Omni is a mini multi-purpose vehicle masquerading as a car. But it has been successfully used as a people's car, and the new fuel injection system has upped its power-something it desperately needed when fully loaded. The vehicle's stability in high crosswinds is somewhat suspect, thanks to its 12-inch wheels and high centre of gravity. The Omni is best driven within city limits.
Taller than the Santro, the Wagon R's boxy design means it's got huge vertical sides and a square tailgate. The acceleration is superb, and one can cruise comfortably at 140kph on highways and also potter around in town without having to change gears continuously. The ride comfort is very good for a car of its size. Negatives: its looks and the spindly gearshift. But, overall, a great package.
Telco's handsome Indica is quite unlike some small cars. You really couldn't be more comfortable in a small car. But, while performance of the diesel in the city is acceptable, you have to work hard on the highway, especially if the car is full. Despite the fact that the Indica still suffers from more than its fair share of problems, the petrol-engined Indica 2000 is an obvious choice for performance seekers.
On paper, the Matiz looks the strongest of all the small cars. Stunning looks, superb build quality and a host of other features. However, the package is let down by its 796cc, 3-cylinder engine, which, despite the recent improvements, still feels rough and quickly runs out of breath. As a city car, the Matiz comes out trumps. Other pluses: an excellent A/C system, good seats, and a roomy interior.
Easily the toughest and most comfortable of the small car around, the Uno gives even some of the mid-size cars a run for their money. Its new 1,242cc engine does duty under the Siena's hood, too. Although the car displays impressive straight line stability, the lack of power steering and ponderous handling make it heavy work in traffic. The diesel version is an excellent option.
Forget the looks. The Santro is a versatile car. A new grille that replaced the original toothy design is much better. Rear comfort is relatively high. The ride of the car, however, is not as good as that of many others in its segment. Overall, the car feels well-engineered, spacious and refined, especially considering that it is a small car. Besides, Hyundai has a great service network. |
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LAYOUT:
In-line, three-cylinder, petrol,
796 cc
LAYOUT:
In-line, four-cylinder; 993 cc petrol/1,527 cc diesel
LAYOUT:
In-line, three/four-cylinder, 796 cc/1061 cc
LAYOUT:
In-line, three-cylinder, petrol, 796 cc
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In-line, four-cylinder, petrol, 1061 cc
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In-line, four-cylinder, petrol, 1405 cc
LAYOUT:
In-line, three-cylinder, petrol, 796 cc
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In-line, four-cylinder; 1,242 cc p/1,697 cc d
LAYOUT:
In-line, four-cylinder, petrol, 999 cc