Review: Tata Altroz Racer Is A Grown Up Hot Hatch

The Altroz Racer also makes its intentions clear without driving it with the stripes on the hood to the roof along with black top half while the cabin is also well finished too. 

When the Altroz was first revealed we all wanted a more powerful engine to go with those looks and Tata Motors did answer that with the iTurbo but this Racer is a proper hot hatch which we all wanted. This is a return for Tata Motors after the JTP variants in terms of making more performance oriented cars.

 

The Racer then adds a spicier touch to the Altroz with more power but also sportier looks and more features. 

 

The engine is the one you find on the Nexon with more power over the iTurbo Altroz with 120bhp and 170Nm- a healthy increase of 10 bhp and 30Nm. However, the Altroz Racer also makes its intentions clear without driving it with the stripes on the hood to the roof along with black top half while the cabin is also well finished too. 

 

 

The new driver display and the touchscreen like the newer Tata cars are much better to use and much more slick. Then the superb 360 degree camera is also best in class here along with ventilated seats which again other cars do not have in its class. That said a new steering wheel or a new shifter would have been nice too.

 

 

The driving experience comes to a nice start with a louder exhaust note which is sporty and adds to the Racer images while not being too loud at the same time.

 

The engine like on the Nexon is on the linear side but has a smooth flow of power along with addition of the default Sport drive mode, a welcome touch. The engine feels muscular in its power delivery and power flows cleanly. There is not much turbo lag and vibrations are also contained while you can potter around with the ample torque on offer. 

 

 

It feels lively and eager while doing justice to its sporty looks too. The Manual gearbox is a bit on the notchy side though and does not match with the rest of the car while a short throw gearbox was needed here.

 

An automatic DCA variant would have made sense too and we hope it comes sooner rather than later. Ride and handling is top notch though and it feels connected while finally having enough power to supplement its overall dynamics.

 

 

It is stiff but not bouncy and does a fine job of being an everyday fun hatchback without being too stiff. The Altroz Racer looks the part and will appeal to performance seekers but it is not a hooligan as instead it is a step up from the iTurbo along with loads of features plus being decent in terms of value for money while we think an automatic would have made it even better in terms of appeal. 

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