With its performance-oriented Altroz Racer, which aims to appeal to driving aficionados, Tata Motors is trying to revive the market as manufacturers are abandoning hatchbacks.

After the Tiago JTP it sells between 2018 and 2020, the Altroz Racer is the second performance hatchback the business offers. Like the Tiago JTP, the Altroz Racer boasts modified mechanical components and racier looks that improve its sportiness quotient from a turbo-petrol engine with a manual transmission. Priced between Rs 9.49 lakh and Rs 10.99 lakh, the Altroz Racer undercuts its main competition, the Hyundai i20 N Line (MT), by about Rs 50,000.

Tata Altroz Racer ground clearance, exterior

Three distinctive dual-tone paint options—atomic orange, Avenue White and Pure Grey—all of which come with a blacked bonnet, mirrors, pillars, 16-inch wheels and roof differentiate the Altroz Racer from the ordinary version. The vinyl racing stripe on the Racer's bonnet and roof will split views even if the Altroz has a generally pleasing look. The Racer receives a new roof spoiler as well. An LED treatment in the tail and head lighting may have brought some modernity.

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Interior of Tata Altroz Racer, shows

The Racer features a black interior dotted with splashes of orange, including the ambient lighting, regardless of the outside color. Especially unique are "racer" embroidery on the headrests and orange stitching on the chairs and steering. Segment-first ventilated front seats, which will shortly be standard, also abound in the top-spec Racer.

Designed with a 360-degree camera, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and linked car capabilities, the huge touchscreen stolen from the Nexon is The system runs flawlessly, just as we would have expected, and the camera display and sound quality are excellent. Though the instrument cluster is novel, the viewing choices are restricted; the tachometer with thick bars is not clear-cut. Shared with vehicles like the Nexon and Harrier, the gear lever feels budget-grade—clearly not worthy of being in a hatchback with a sporty badge.

The performance of Tata Altroz Racer

Originally the Altroz iTurbo version, the 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine debuted here. It was tweaked to 110hp and 140Nm and coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox, albeit, because of some packing issues. Tata engineers have figured out a solution three years later. At last, the engine is matched with a 6-speed manual gearbox and the output corresponds with the 120hp, 170Nm of Nexon. It is not, however, a cut-and-paste task. The power distribution of this engine has been changed and its gear ratios have been decreased to enable faster acceleration in the Altroz racer. Furthermore, the default option is "Sport" mode; there are no driving modes like the iTurbo or the regular edition.

reflexes from throttle are sharp. The engine is keen to leave an impression right from the start. This 1.2's linear yet fast power delivery will definitely be appreciated; its sweet spot is between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. The engine spins more freely and runs higher than in the iTurbo. The Racer spins to 6,000 rpm or somewhat higher whereas the former peaked its revs at 5,500 rpm; yet, the unintuitive digital tachometer makes it impossible to tell the precise RPM.

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Tata Altroz Racer decision

Tata Motors took its time bringing the Altroz Racer to production even though it presented the idea during the Auto Expo 2023. One so anticipated the business to present its best effort and cover all the angles. Not that is the case, but.

First, a major error is there is no automated choice. The Racer's 6-speed manual transmission thus seems awkward, and the clutch is quick, so negating the pleasure of driving a manual. That is unfortunate as its ride and handling balance is exactly the finest in class. Complementing its chassis is the 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine, which runs smoothly and peppishly.