[TusharK]

Last month, Tata Motors introduced the Altroz Racer - a sporty version of its large hatchback. The carmaker is now considering expanding the Racer brand to include more models, similar to what Hyundai has done with its N-Line sub-brand.



According to Shailesh Chandra, MD of Tata Motors, if there's demand, the Racer performance brand could expand to high-performance EVs too. "We are working on an electric version of the Altroz. So there could be an electric hot hatch version, too," he said.

Chandra went on to add, "We believe that this is a very niche category that we are experimenting with. If this works well, there will be a more holistic thinking on how we will deal with the performance brand. But, electric is just part of it, we [also] have some engine options going forward.”

Rival Hyundai, currently offers a range of products under its N-Line sub-brand. These include the i20, Venue and the new Creta.

Source: Autocar India

Link to Team-BHP News

[JunkyardHunter]

Tata, look at Hyundai. They do not have an exterior that looks like it was designed by a 5 year old. Please, don't disappoint us again.

[DRPSREDDY]

Racer brand for performance enhancements looks nice on hatchback and Sedans. I don't think they will be ideal for MUVs and SUVs. Tata does not have any Sedan in it's line-up. I hope they launch one as they too can contribute to sales numbers.

[Cresterk]

But where is the performance?

[Chetan_Rao]

Tata, you arguably have the best-looking designs in all segments you compete in.

Don't 'ricer' your cars, and good lord find a better label for your 'performance' variants!

[Karthik1100]

Looks are not that sporty, they could have modified front and rear bumpers, Tail light, much sportier spoiler, 200mm tyres, 160bhp tuning, carbon fibre hood, sporty steering, sports suspension. Even if it is 15-16L onroad people will buy it.

[bijims]

The Racer being a performance brand is fine, but Tata needs to bring in automatic variants as well, plonk in a fast DCT or something as an alternative to the manual

[extreme_torque]

I hope they do not stick to "Racer" branding for their go fast future models. Its a bit too cheesy for my liking and a bit too literal. Why cant they come up with something subtle like GT which VW uses or letter like M for BMW, Honda's R or N that Hyundai came up with.

To be honest anything will be better than naming their models, Racer.

[ashutoshb]

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

I hope they do not stick to "Racer" branding for their go fast future models. Its a bit too cheesy for my liking and a bit too literal. Why cant they come up with something subtle like GT which VW uses or letter like M for BMW, Honda's R or N that Hyundai came up with.

To be honest anything will be better than naming their models, Racer.

Agreed. Racer sounds boyish. GT would have been much classier.

--

Coming back to the topic, obviously if there is enough demand (translating into sales), only then will Tata think of coming up with more of such variants. Altroz Racer in its current avatar, might attract a few, but without the 'racer' livery, there might be more takers.

If Tata asks me, which should be the next car to have a GT badge. Give the Punch a chance, please. A Punch + 1.2 Turbo + DCA. And don't worry about Punch eating into Nexon sales. At the end of the day, money will go in your pocket.

Next should be the Nexon, with the 1.2 TGDI + DCA. With a lower price thanks to sub 4 metre rule, it will democratize the TGDI. Might help in economies of scale.

[Jordygt500]

How about Altroz with 1.5 diesel Nexon tune and 7 speed DCT or Altroz with 1.2 TGDi with manual and DCT, that will be a true racer.

[Pikachu77]

On one hand, TATA would have a 1.2 litre tgdi engine ready with curvv. On the other one, they would launch altroz with the 1.2 litre mpfi engine. Its main rival i20 n line is already having a tgdi 1.0 litre unit.

Tata is limiting itself by not providing enough ammunition to this racer brand. Questionable choices like not providing an automatic and the advansed tgdi engine to the altroz shows this is an half hearted attempt and would deserve only such amount of success.

The market segmentation that Tata is following seems to be the case of shooting one's own feet.

[Bhokal]

Originally Posted by Pikachu77

On one hand, TATA would have a 1.2 litre tgdi engine ready with curvv. On the other one, they would launch altroz with the 1.2 litre mpfi engine. Its main rival i20 n line is already having a tgdi 1.0 litre unit.

Probably because they wanted to give a halo effect (TGDi) to Curvv at launch. Curvv having exclusive access to the TGDi engine, will be one of its USPs.

[Pikachu77]

Originally Posted by Bhokal

Probably because they wanted to give a halo effect (TGDi) to Curvv at launch. Curvv having exclusive access to the TGDi engine, will be one of its USPs.

Yeah. Understood that. The problem I see is that Tdgi is not new even in hatchback segment let alone the 4.3 m segment. Tata expects sales to be better than N line and considers it as a direct competitor. Even then they have done little work.I feel the racer could have been delayed by another 6 months with the new engine.
They are so late to the party and I am guessing altroz might never get that engine even in the next facelift going by how Tata has gone by things.Case in point being detuned altroz diesel 1.5 to differentiate from nexon.

[shaheenazk]

Originally Posted by Cresterk

But where is the performance?

If Tata plonks the much more powerful upcoming TGDI engine in the Racer versions of their cars it will take care of the performance.