Which hatchback tops in mileage?

With fuel prices hitting the roof, mileage is getting into the front and centre of vehicle-purchase decisions.

Not surprisingly, automakers are looking to roll out more fuel-efficient cars in what’s also a price-sensitive domestic market.

Tata Motors, the country’s third largest carmaker, recently unveiled its latest offering in the Indica range.

Called the Indica eV2, the car claims a mileage of 25 kms per litre, as certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in ideal conditions — thanks to the CR4 diesel engine that the hatchback sports.

Tata Motors said the car has 32% greater power and 46% better fuel efficiency over its predecessors.

The Tata Indica eV2 will come in the range of Rs3.95 lakh to Rs4.77 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the CR4 diesel engine and Rs2.95 lakh to Rs3.58 lakh, (ex-showroom Delhi) for the MPFI petrol variant.

Shrikant Marathe, director, ARAI, “It is very tough to design a fuel-efficient car as it has to go through a lot of testing.”
Car models such as Alto, Maruti Suzuki Ritz and Volkswagen Polo are popular because of the good mileages they offer.

Maruti, India’s largest carmaker, on an average, sells around 33,000 Altos a month. The bestseller gives a mileage of around 18 kms per litre.

Tata Motors has sold 90,908 Indicas in the current fiscal.
Nissan’s Micra diesel claims to give an average run of 18.5 km per litre. The company has so far sold 10,255 units since sales began on July 15, 2010.

A wide product portfolio, competitive pricing, expectation of high fuel efficiencies, presence of diesel versions and modern designing are some of the factors that have helped automakers compete successfully in the hatchback segment, Icra, the rating agency, said in a recent note.

The auto industry grew at a hot 35% in 2010, according to the Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers data. That growth rate may fall to around 14-15% in 2011 due to a strong base effect, according to experts. 

Rising inflation, soaring petrol prices, increasing interest rates are also expected to slow the growth rate of the auto industry this year.