The battle of dominance in the compact hatchback segment is quite intense as some big names are now competing for the top spot. It is a known fact that the success of hatchbacks determine the performance of players in the passenger car segment. Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, is a segment leader with cars like Alto 800, Swift, WagonR, Ritz and Stingray in its portfolio. It must be noted that the Suzuki owned firm has witnessed a stiff competition by the South Korean auto maker Hyundai, which happens to be second largest passenger car manufacturer of the country. A few years back, Tata Motors launched the world's cheapest production car, Nano, in the Indian market. Main players in the compact hatchback segment are Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Hyundai Eon and Tata Nano.
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is one of the best selling cars in India and has been registering excellent sales figures since its introduction. Brought in as the perpetual replacement for the legendary M800, Alto 800 has lived up to expectations of its manufacturer. This compact hatchback comes in a unique wave front design, featuring smooth long curves, wider lip and a noteworthy wheel arch. Highlights of exteriors of this hatchback include sloping window lines, swaying roof, jewel-finish rear combination lamps and an elegantly designed back door. The presence of petal shaped headlamps, stylish grille and bumper further enhances appearance of Alto 800. Maruti Suzuki has incorporated a number of utility and comfort features at interiors of Alto 800, such as extra head space, intelligently packaged slim doors and a centre console for storage.
Alto 800 is powered by a 796 cc 3-cylinder engine, which is controlled by a 32-bit computer. This engine, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, delivers an output of around 46 bhp and peak torque of 69 Nm. Performance of this hatchback is enhanced by Cable Type Gear Shift Mechanism, Detent Pin Technology and flat torque curve. In addition, Alto 800 renders an impressive mileage of around 22.74 kmpl, according to company claims.
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 has a direct rival in the form of Hyundai Eon, a hatchback that has performed really well in India. Eon features stylish exteriors, spacious interiors and boasts of a refined engine that make it an excellent overall package. Futuristic headlamps, micro roof antenna and stylish tail lamps form the USP of Eon's design. Interiors of this hatchback, on the other hand, include comfortable seating, large boot space and bucket type front seats. Safety features on the Eon hatchback are remote keyless entry, airbag for driver and reinforced body structure. This model from Hyundai runs on an 814 cc 3-cylinder engine that has the capacity to generate an output of around 54 bhp and 74 Nm of peak torque.
Tata Nano has been one of the most popular hatchbacks of Indian market in recent times, despite not being able to perform according to expectations. Nano is a compact hatchback, which is ideal for traffic conditions in cities, as it is easy to manoeuvre and does not pose any parking problems as well. This model runs on a two-cylinder 624 cc MPFI engine that generates a maximum power output of 36 bhp and peak torque of 51 Nm. The USP on Nano is its high fuel economy and aggressive pricing, something that has attracted a number of buyers.
