Best of 2016: Top hatchbacks launched in India

The year 2016 is coming to an end in a couple of days. The Indian automobile market saw domestic and foreign carmakers launching many new cars and updating their existing portfolios. Unlike the previous years that witnessed many launches in established segments like hatchback and sedan, this year new launches were mostly in compact SUV, crossover and high end segments. Though the number of cars launched in the hatchback segment was low this year, each new model had a huge impact on the segment as well as on the companies. Here is a list of the major hatchbacks launched in India in 2016.

Tata Tiago

Tata Motors launched Tiago, a hatchback bearing new Impact design language of the Indian car maker on April 6. The fresh approach in design complemented with competitive pricing was appreciated by the customers and Tiago has now become the most successful car of Tata Motors in the near past. Priced from Rs 3.20 lakh to Rs 4.88 lakh for petrol variants and from Rs 3.94 lakh to Rs 5.67 lakh for diesel variants, ex-showroom Delhi, Tiago is sold in 1.2-litre three-cylinder Revotron petrol and 1.05-litre three-cylinder Revotorq diesel. The petrol mill churns out 83.8bhp of power at 6,000rpm and 114Nm of torque at 3,500rpm, while the diesel engine produces 69bhp of power at 4,000rpm and 140Nm of torque at 1,800-3,000rpm. Both the engines come mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Datsun redi-Go

Nissan's sub-brand Datsun launched redi-Go hatchback on June 7. Priced attractively at Rs 2.38 lakh for the base variant (ex-showroom Delhi), the small car is powered by a 799cc three-cylinder petrol motor that churns out 53bhp and a peak torque of 72Nm. This is the same engine that also works in the Renault's popular model, the Kwid. The engine comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The redi-Go claims to return a fuel efficiency of 25.17kmpl. Datsun also launched the limited edition of the redi-Go suffixed with Sport in the name on September 29, 2016. With nine new features, the redi-Go Sport gets black stripes and red accents on the exterior, along with all-black interiors.

Renault Kwid 1-0 litre, AMT

After the huge success of the Kwid 800cc version, Renault India launched 1000cc version as well as Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) equipped version this year. The Kwid 1.0 litre packs 999cc 3-cylinder engine that can churn out 67bhp of power at 5500rpm and 91Nm of torque at 4250rpm. It has been priced at Rs 3.83 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The AMT version of the Kwid debuted with a price tag of Rs 4.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It has Shift Control Dial, which will offer three driving modes — Reverse, Neutral and Drive.