[NirmalK]

voted NO. if i spend 10L on a car i will expect more space like a sedan or SUV. In a hatch if u need more space u have to end up folding the rear seats. a 10L car should seat at least 4 comfortably and swallow loads of luggage.

[rana_kirti]

i had a question which has been on my mind for quite some time..

why don't car manufacturers launch a performance version of each model/make in their lineup ? Ok lets say not all model/make but a few selected models in their lineup.

Say, they have a 1.2/1.3 ltr hatch. And it's selling a lot and is a great success. Ok, now what holds them back from launching a performance version of the same hatch ? Even if they sell only 10-50 nos. in a year of the performance version how would it matter ? I'm sure they are making profits via the regular versions.

Even if the performance version cost equal to or more than the next up sedan from the same manufacturer and they only sold very limited nos it would still do them good by increasing their image with a performance version and also help this niche market grow. People can and will only buy the performance option when it's available. Now with the economy growing their are a lot of people who will be willing to spend upto 10L on a hatch + launching such cars will help the market for such cars grow.

So if they are reaping in profits with the regular hatch/sedan, what is really holding them back from launching a performance version even if it sells only in small nos. ?

Can someone kindly explain this to me ?

Thanks,

Rana

[Sn1p3r]

Originally Posted by rana_kirti

i had a question which has been on my mind for quite some time..
...
Can someone kindly explain this to me ?

Perception is the biggest killer. If someone says their car doesn't give good efficiency figures, morons won't ask what engine or specs but what brand. Thus brand suffers.

Secondly the inventory is to be maintained for even smaller quantities.

I hope this helps.

[SupratikDebnath]

Well, according to me, if I had that amount to spend, I would only consider a hatchback if there are parking constraints. Otherwise, it is plain stupid. :-)

[k_nitin_r]

10L for a hatchback? If I were looking for a hatchback, I might consider it - a fully loaded Swift Di would probably be around 7.5-8L on-road, so I could add an extra 1L to the budget, along with the rumored 1L excise for diesel making it 10L.

Having said that, I wouldn't buy a hatchback because I make about half a dozen trips a year requiring the use of boot space. When I have a vehicle for 25 kms of running a month, I might as well have a sedan for the half dozen trips in a year.

[taranonline]

Give me a rwd, good bhp motor and I am happy all day.

Anyways not gonna happen except for the bmw 1.

[Pedaltothefloor]

A Hot Hatch? Hell yeah. If they can put a 150 HP Motor in there and still get it between 10-11 L OTR, who needs a sedan?

[TheQuarterMile]

Yes definitely! A hot Hatch like the 2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR or the Focus RS would be awesome for around 12-13lacs.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by TheQuarterMile

Yes definitely! A hot Hatch like the 2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR or the Focus RS would be awesome for around 12-13lacs.

I might want to consider a sexy, sassy little Alfa Romeo Giulietta at a price of about 9 to 10 lacs. Truly yummy hatch. Couldnt care less about the female friendly positioning. I would like to drive it!
If they would be realistic and bring in a Mini One at around 15000- 16000 GBP equivalent, it would translate into around 11 lacs and I would not feel too bad in considering one. The present price of 30 lacs is stupid.

[ampere]

A Performance Hatch always has a strict love hate relationship.
One class will always want to buy it as it gives them what they need.

The other side will always weight the price against the space on offer. Having said that a performance
hatch will always find takers in some numbers (small or large) for sure. Imagine a Golf at 11L, a country man
sans 4WD at 15L ! It would be a war to claim for each selling piece.

[prithvi53]

I would definitely buy a hatchback for 10 lakhs if the car has a strong engine and handles really well. It should also feel like a well built car. The jazz for example is built very well and just doesn't feel like a small car.

Considering the fact that a swift ZDI is almost 8 lakhs on road I don't think spending a lakh or two more on a hot hatch should be an issue. One car I would love to buy for around 9-10 lakhs is the swift sport 1.6 petrol. I love the way the two door version looks and with the strong engine just makes it better. I doubt it will ever come to India though.

[blue_pulsar]

Guys, we have hatches being sold pretty much close to this figure now. i20 Asta CRDi costs ~9.2L OTR in Bangalore. And its no hot hatch either. In my eyes, its just a big gizmo. Rain sensing wipers? Auto headlamps? Huh! Am I blind or what??!!

[audioholic]

Voted yes. Give me the sx4 hatchback, 1.6mjd, all wheel drive and whatever is the international specs. I don't mind sacrificing a boot for its capacity as a crossover. Efficient, easy to drive and park and many such advantages. Same is my choice for an enthusiasts hatch having one hell of an engine in it and that will be my recreational drive for sure. Beat around a small diesel hatch for the entire week. Forget FE, forget petrol prices, fill my second car up and roar around the town in the weekend

[Zealot_Roadster]

The i20 asta is already >9 lacs on road. And its one hell of a car with more features than the ANHC. I wouldnt mind buying something like the i30 for about 10lacs

[Pedaltothefloor]

Originally Posted by blue_pulsar

Guys, we have hatches being sold pretty much close to this figure now. i20 Asta CRDi costs ~9.2L OTR in Bangalore. And its no hot hatch either. In my eyes, its just a big gizmo. Rain sensing wipers? Auto headlamps? Huh! Am I blind or what??!!

Very well said mate. It's not a bad car but seriously over priced.