Best of 2016: Top performance cars launched in India

Performance car segment is not a major segment in India. However, the year of 2016 saw some newcomers catering to different segments. Volkswagen India has launched a hot hatch while Nissan and Ford have brought iconic performance product from their international portfolios. Mercedes-Benz AMG division, specialising in performance cars, launched a model this year while fellow German carmaker Audi launched performance version of its S7 Sportback. We have compiled a list of rev-hungry cars launched this year.

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Polo GTI is the most powerful and affordable hatchback you can buy in India at present. The three-door hot hatch from the German carmaker has been priced at Rs 25.65 lakh, ex-showroom, Thane, and it is limited to just 99 units. The most powerful version of the Polo is powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol mill that churns out 189bhp of power mated to seven-speed DSG gearbox. The Polo GTI will reach 0-100 kmph in 7.2 seconds before hitting a top speed of 233 kmph. The three-door is expected to be joined by the five-door version later after gauging the response in the Indian market.

Ford Mustang

Ford India launched the iconic muscle car, the Mustang, at Rs 65 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi, in July. Sold in a single variant, the GT Fastback, the two-door four-seater sports car is powered by flagship 5.0-litre Ti-VCT V8 engine. The V8 motor develops 395bhp and 515Nm of torque, mated to six-speed automatic transmission. The Mustang is equipped with paddle shifters, powering the rear axle. The car also comes with four driving modes – Normal, Sport+, Track and Snow or Wet.

Nissan GT-R

Japanese carmaker Nissan launched its halo sports car, the GT-R, in India for Rs 1.99 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). The four-seater, two-door sports car, better known with the nickname Godzilla is considered as one of the world's best high-performance sports car. Powering the Godzilla is a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that develops 565bhp at 6,400rpm and 633Nm of peak torque. The engine can propel the GT-R to reach from 0-100kmph in 3 seconds. Only five master craftsmen called Takumi in the world are allowed to hand-assemble the GT-R's engine at Nissan's plant in Yokohama, Japan.

Mercedes-Benz 450 AMG Coupe

German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz started 2016 with the launch of GLE 450 AMG Coupe in January. Priced at Rs 86.4 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, the GLE 450 AMG Coupe is powered by a 2996cc V6 twin-turbo petrol engine that develops 362bhp power at 5500-6000rpm and 520Nm of torque at 1800-4200rpm mated to 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. The SUV Coupe can reach 100kmph in 5.7 seconds before attaining a top speed of 250kmph.

Audi RS7 Performance

Audi India launched RS7 Performance at a price of Rs 1.59 crore ex-showroom, Delhi in November. The five-door notchback is powered by a 4.0-litre TFSI twin-turbo V8 engine, which produces 596bhp of power and 750Nm of torque mated to eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100kmph in 3.7 seconds and can attain a top speed of 307 kmph. For more torque, the RS7 Performance features an 'Overboost function' which offers an on-demand increase of torque from 700Nm to 750Nm.