‘Hatch-Wise’

i Want

Its approaching the end of another year. Its a time when people make resolutions, look ahead with optimism, and make grand plans.. part of these plans is often the purchase of a new car. That much desired, long dreamed of new set of wheels. If you are a Hatchback fan, and have set your sights on one of the many new hatchbacks out there, I strongly recommend that you curb your ‘want’ a little longer. And these are 4 very good reasons to hold that Hatch…

Cruze in your Beat!

So you love the aggressive styling and menacing stance of the new Chevrolet Cruze. But you have one zero less from the asking price. Worry not. You don’t have to settle for the modest looking hatchbacks currently out there. Come early 2010, the Beat will be out, and it’ll be nice and noisy. This new hatchback will be yours for around 4 lacs and will be based on GM’s all new M300 platform. Of course, it will not be as luxurious and satisfying as the Cruz (being a full 4 segments lower). What it does promise, if the pictures are anything to go by, is Cruz level styling for 10 lacs lesser sticker price. If you want a looker, the Beat is your answer. Few other 4 lac somethings on Indian roads will look anywhere nearly as bold as this. With the front fascia screaming its family connection to the Cruz, and the rear dominated by large rounded two tone lamps, it will be scorching, raving, mad looking. Power is expected to come from humble 1.2 and 1.3 liter petrol and diesel engines respectively. But then in this segment, for this kind of money, and considering our over-crowded roads, you’d rarely need performance in excess of this.

With the Cruz, GM India has to a large extent, allayed fears of following suit with its global big brother. With confidence resurrected in local customers, the brand is very bullish on both India and China. Looks like a lot of us Indians will be Cruzing to GM’s Beats

Comeback Kid!

Ford’s run in India has never been great. They’ve had ups and downs, but sadly, more downs. However, the few that are familiar with the Ford Fusion (as we Indians know it), will agree almost unanimously, that its a great vehicle. Price and awkward positioning notwithstanding, its a terrific car that has loads of attitude. And attitude is what Ford’s final stab at the Indian market, will try and tap into. That, and price.

I mention the Fusion because cunningly enough, Ford’s new hatch for 2010 seems rather obviously based on the Fusion. In fact, its actually just a modernized and lowered Fusion, in conventional hatchback guise. Which is not a bad thing at all. In effect, the same car will then be available starting at just 3.6 Lacs!! That’s sheer value for money for a thoroughly capable car such as the Fusion. So they’ve tweaked the design with Ford-Speak Kinetic cues. So they’ve fooled us all by saying its a grounds-up new car. But that doesn’t matter.

What’s based on the outgoing international Fiesta platform can only be a good thing.. and when its in the guise of the Figo, in near-neon Lime Green, for around 3.5 lacs, it suddenly makes a lot of sense. I am personally, as I’m sure you are, a bit wary of Ford India. But its biggest defense is the Figo itself. If they don’t get it right with the Figo, they’ll be packing to catch the next flight back to Detroit. So before you sign the dotted line in 2010, go check out the Figo! Frugality & style is a combination that’ll be hard to ignore.

Micra Dreams!

If you live or frequent (hopefully for legitimate reasons) the embassy areas in Delhi or Bombay, chances are that you’ve spotted an adorable, tiny Nissan called the Micra. And immediately felt like a fool in your Santro!!

Well it doesn’t matter any more. Whether you are familiar with the Micra or not, by mid 2010 you will be. And if between now and then you’ve spent your hard earned and saved 4ish, you will feel foolish. So don’t. Wait instead.

The Nissan Micra is a very important car for the company in India. Not just because it is an inexpensive and potential volume player, but also because it is the first car that Nissan will build in the country. But that’s not important for us… what is important for us, is that the Micra will ooze style. It will give you Fiat 500 levels of style sophistication, for 1/4th the cost.

It will be cutting edge, contemporary, with great equipment levels – and finally present a real, and arguably more fashionable alternative to the Suzuki Swift (which to my mind has become too commonplace now). Look at pictures of earlier Micras and then at the company’s own sketches (released to tease you with the new design)… it is so, so adorable. Cute, cuddly, so many superlatives come to mind. Being in the segment it will be, frugality is promised as well. So if you want to wake up in the morning and fall in love with your hatchback everyday, wait until May of 2010. Your dream hatch will be born!

Move Over Fabia, Here’s The Real Deal…

So this is going to be unapologetically, the longest segment. For those of you who’ve admired the attributes of a Skoda Fabia this one will be the real thing. Come March 2010, the most eagerly anticipated hatchback will make its debut on our unruly roads. The Fabia’s original cousin, the Volkswagen Polo!

The Polo may be the entry level offering from VW the world over. But in India, it will go head to head with the sub-premium hatchbacks. In fact, with a target base price of 4.3 lacs, VW aims to clearly undercut the top rung hatchbacks here. And if they manage that, it will be a treat of all treats.

The Polo… a thing of beauty and poise. It may not exude the flamboyance of the I 20, but it is Teutonic, purposeful and looks very very attractive. It may not have the interior gimmicks of a Honda Jazz, but the philosophy is less flash, more build quality. And what it will have, is a range topping 100 plus bhp 1.6 liter petrol heart. In a car the size of the Polo, it will be the country’s first genuine hot hatch, a prospect that makes my hair stand at their end, just writing about it!! The Polo then, will finally mark the inclusion of middle class customers like myself, into their esteemed client lists thereby, earning us the opportunity to be part of a legendary German car-making tradition, quality, and time-tested endurance. VW’s may be criticized by foreign auto journalists for making uninspired designs, and cars that are clinical in usage. What they just can not be accused of though, is poor build. They are solid and last for years together. They are bullet proof reliable and are notorious for becoming part of their owners’ families.

And that is precisely the chance the Polo will present us all with, when it arrives in early 2010. If I were you, i’d find a good buyer for my current hatchback and stand in line at the nearest VW. It will be, the real deal!

In The Final Analysis…

There are scores of great hatchbacks already in the market. The Jazz, Fabia, I 20, I 10, and 80% of the Maruti stable; all make for great options. But trust me on this, if you are short on patience, meditate instead. Come 2010, the choice will be larger, more exciting, and very very well priced. So hatch your plans, 6 months hence…

[Kartik Bajoria, a regular contributor, runs his own creative agency called BOLD & is also involved in Films & Music as a force of habit!]

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