Tata Motors Altroz: Performance Explained

The Tata Altroz is a high-end hatchback for everyday commuting, relaxing highway driving and family use. The powertrains available in it are petrol, diesel and CNG, so the buyers can select as per their driving habits and fuel preferences. Both engines come in varying combinations of performance, torque and fuel economy.

Engine Options and Power Output

Tata Altroz comes with three engine choices.

The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated Revotron petrol engine generates around 88 PS of power and 115 Nm of torque. Depending on variant, it comes with the five-speed manual gearbox, five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) or the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). This engine is best for daily driving and routine commuting in City traffic.

The 1.5-litre turbocharged Revotorq diesel engine delivers 90PS and 200 Nm of torque. It comes with a 5-speed manual transmission. It also has more torque than its counterparts, which means that the car accelerates at lower RPMs, making it practical for the driver who travels longer distances regularly.

The 1.2-litre iCNG powertrain delivers around 73.5 PS of power and 103 Nm of torque when operated on CNG. It comes in 5-speed manual transmission. The 88 PS and 115 Nm in petrol mode are about the same. The CNG variant is a product targeting those who wish to have control over the fuel costs while maintaining the everyday convenience of the Altroz.

City Driving Performance

In the urban setting, the naturally aspirated petrol engine provides a simple and convenient driving experience. It offers power delivery appropriate for everyday driving and the manual and automatic transmission choices enable buyers to select their preferred driving style. The AMT and DCT can help to ease the effort needed in heavy traffic, but in different ways.

With its potent torque, the diesel engine makes the Altroz accelerate from lower gears. May be beneficial for modifying traffic flows but diesel engine noise might be more apparent than the petrol version.

The CNG variant is more appropriate for normal urban driving, especially for those who are more interested in economy in running. It reduces the power delivering in CNG mode and hence the acceleration is not as strong as petrol mode.

Highway Performance

The diesel Altroz is a good choice for those who value torque and road or trail use on the highway. It's 200 Nm of torque which accelerates and overtakes, but this is transmitted through the five-speed manual gearbox which needs the driver to adjust the gear as the circumstances call for it.

The Petrol version is easily capable of highway trips at normal cruising speeds. It delivers less torque than the diesel, however, so drivers might need to shift down when overtaking and at full loads.

The CNG version is also suitable for highway driving but limited in power for CNG mode for relaxed driving. On longer trips, fuel stops are important as CNG availability is different on different routes.

Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

The fuel efficiency will vary with the engine, driving conditions, and transmission. The following claimed figures have been published by Tata for the Altroz facelift:

- Diesel manual: up to 23.60 km/l

- CNG manual: up to 26.90 km/kg

This has not included a single petrol mileage figure due to the lack of a reliable and established official petrol mileage figure.

These figures are claimed efficiencies only, not guaranteed results. Actual mileage may depend upon traffic, driving habits, road and weather conditions, vehicle loading and air conditioning. Before buying, drivers should consult with the newest variant-specific paperwork.

Final Verdict

The Tata Altroz is available in various variants to cater to the diverse requirements of the drivers. For daily driving, the petrol engine is the sensible option, and for longer off-road trips the more powerful diesel engine is a great option. For those who are looking for the running cost and easy access to the CNG station, the CNG version is the best choice.

Buyers should evaluate different variants of the Altroz before making their decision by considering their driving needs, engine power, transmission types, and fuel economy.