India only has a few options for hot hatchbacks; it is still an untapped market, but it has great potential. Companies are slowly but surely realizing that, as they seem to be getting some love nowadays. We had the Volkswagen Polo GT, the recently Hyundai-released i20 N-line, and our homegrown Tata Altroz Racer.
Tata Altroz Racer Exterior
The overall body structure of the Altroz racer edition is the same as the standard Altroz; however, several cosmetic differences let everyone know you mean business.
First, the car comes in 3 colour variants: Orange, White, and Gray. All of them are dual-toned with a blacked-out hood and roof with two white stripes running along it. There is “Racer” and “i-Turbo+” badging at the front and rear, respectively. The Tata logo is also finished in black, along with the new 16″ alloys, which are, you guessed, finished in a darker colour scheme. The daytime running lights are LEDs, but the headlights are all halogen. There is a camera at the front, beneath the Tata Logo, on the side mirrors, and at the back; all assisting the 360-degree camera, but more on than later. Also, car enthusiasts would appreciate the all-new new dual exhaust.
In terms of sheer appearance, those are the only differences between the Altroz and Altroz Racer Edition.
Tata Altroz Racer Interior
Step into the cabin, and you’ll find the similar stripped aesthetic continued on the inside with orange-white stripes on the seats, orange accents around the AC vents and stitching around the steering wheel, and ‘Racer’ embossing on the headrests. Tata cut back on costs with the accents and stitching always being orange instead of colour-matching it to the colour option you purchase, but you win and lose some.
The Racer edition comes equipped with an all-new fully digital instrument cluster, which was only semi-digital before, along with a 10.25″ infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, underneath which you’ll find a wireless charging pad. There is an adjustable armrest with the same orange stitching. The interior is finished in piano black, which looks very elegant, but it is with piano black along with hard plastics everywhere. There is a sunroof with a black tint to reduce direct sunlight, ventilated front seats, and an air purifier, two needed features in our country.
Safety
Tata has never cut short on safety and it doesn’t change here. The Altroz Racer Edition boasts the following safety features:
| A total of 6 airbags for the driver, front passenger, 2 curtain airbags, driver side airbag, and front passenger side airbag |
| 5-star Global NCAP Safety Rating |
| Electronic Stability Control for better stability and control |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) |
| Automatic Locking of doors after a certain speed |
| Anti-theft Engine Immobilizer to dismiss unauthorized starting of the engine |
| Seat Belt Warning |
| Over-speed Warning |
| Anchor Points for Child Seat |
The Driving Experience
Let’s talk about what matters here through the ride. The “racer” title ought to be earned. The Altroz Racer comes with a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine, the same engine used in the Nexon. It generates 118 bhp of power and 170 Nm of torque, making it more powerful and punchy than the standard Altroz iTurbo.
Those are all numbers, though. How different is it? We had the opportunity to drive the car, which certainly feels punchier. The car feels stable, and the steering wheel is quite responsive. The exhaust rumbles but in an almost subtle way, which I like. I wish the sound could be heard from inside the cabin, but the cabin is rather quiet. That traditionally is a good thing.
As a driver’s car/racer should, the Altroz Racer only offers a manual transmission. Skipping past traffic and highways will be easy. It has no driving modes, only a singular mode, only sports. That, along with only the availability of manual petrol, may appeal to some, but this car is only made for some people, only the enthusiasts.
The Altroz Racer, unlike its direct competitor, The i20 N-line, uses Port Fuel Injection (PFI) technology instead of Direct Injection. Yes, direct injection delivers better performance on paper, but PFI isn’t exactly “old-school”. It has benefits like being much more cost-effective and easy to maintain, and it offers better performance as it gives more time for the air to mix with the fuel, hence a better fuel economy and less carbon buildup, so it reduces emissions and naturally cleans itself.
| Engine Type | 1.2 L Turbo Petrol |
| Displacement | 1199 cc |
| Max Power | 118.35 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 170 Nm @ 1750-4000 rpm |
| Number of Cylinders | 3 |
| Fuel Supply System | Port fuel injection |
| Turbo Charge | Yes |
| Drive Type | 6-Speed Manual |
| Transmission Type | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
Tata Altroz Racer Launch Date
The Tata Altroz Racer has already hit the market, with its launch date being June 7, 2024. You can expect to see them on the roads now.
Tata Altroz Racer Price
The Tata Altroz will be available in R1, R2 and R3 variants. Their cost, ex-show Delhi, is ₹ 9.49 Lakh, ₹ 10.49 Lakh, and ₹ 10.99 Lakh respectively.
Tata Altroz Racer On-Road Price
The on-road price of the Tata Altroz is going to vary from state to state, but for Delhi and Mumbai, they are as follows:
The variants’ prices for Delhi are ₹ 10.63 Lakh, ₹ 11.49 Lakh, and ₹ 12.49 Lakh, respectively. Mumbai prices are ₹ 10.91 Lakh, ₹ 12.27 Lakh and ₹ 12.86 Lakh.
Final Verdict
Tata Altroz Racer is a much-needed boost to India’s hot-hatchback market. The changes here are minor but noticeable. Tata has taken a step in the right direction by bringing variety to our roads.
