Tata Altroz Racer Sets Lap Record; Here’s How Its Rivals Fared

Tata Motors recently launched the Altroz Racer in India at ₹9.49 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Tata Motors now has another feather in its cap as it is now the 'Fastest Indian Hatchback', awarded by the India Book of Records. 

The Altroz Racer set a lap record at the CoASTT High Performance Centre in Coimbatore by lapping it in 2 minutes 21.74 seconds. It achieved this feat on June 5, 2024, and beat the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo as well as the Hyundai i20 N Line. The three cars were driven by ex-Formula 1 driver Narian Karthikayen and the lap times were set during a time attack event. 

The Fronx Turbo lapped the circuit in Coimbatore in 2 minutes 22.72 seconds, while the i20 N Line did it in 2 minutes 23.96 seconds. All the cars in question were equipped with manual transmissions. 

The Altroz Racer is powered by a 1.2-litre, turbo-petrol engine churning out 118 bhp and 170 Nm and comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. The i20 N Line gets a 1.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine with 118 bhp and 172 Nm, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The Fronx also gets a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 99 bhp and 148 Nm but gets a 5-speed manual gearbox. Unlike the Altroz Racer, the Fronx and i20 N Line also get the option of a 6-speed torque-converter automatic and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, respectively.

We recently had a go in the Altroz Racer at the CoASTT circuit in Coimbatore. You can read about our experience here or watch it below.