The Altroz Racer is the fastest yet, but is it good? | PowerDrift

Tata’s stepping up the Altroz’s sporty credentials with the Racer - a 120hp, 170Nm variant of the Altroz with plenty of cosmetic updates, as well as a sunroof, a new screen and ventilated seats. But what’s the Altroz Racer like to drive? Are the upgrades any good? And can it hold its own on the racetrack? Karan Singh heads to Coimbatore to answer all that and more in our review of the Altroz Racer.
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[@carswithkaran]

I just want to point out, after thinking about this for a few days - i wish tata had done more with the racer. Sportier suspension, more performance, a DCT, better steering. Or not called it the racer. Right now it looks fast on the outside but the driving experience doesn’t match up.

[@carswithkaran]

also - the gopro hosting makes me look really excited because i’m literally just a kid on a racetrack, couldn’t hold back the joy, hope you understand 😝❤️

[@amogus9440]

Imo, Iturbo+ name fits this car more than Racer does.

[@carswithkaran]

@@amogus9440 for sure - discontinue the iTurbo and replace it with iTurbo+, simple

[@rohan1175]

I would say 1.5 diesel 6mt and sport mode with Nexon tune will do just for the name racer.

[@harshpawar7272]

I think It should have been a JPT (not just the name) than a RACER !!!!

[@rachitv2003]

The unscripted section was honestly the most genuine part. You guys need to water down the scripting in your videos.

[@carswithkaran]

appreciate the feedback rachit! however, PowerDrift is about good writing so i think it is important to keep that alive, but in every single video where i’ve done this unscripted bit - you guys have appreciated it so why not have both?

[@rachitv2003]

@@carswithkaran thanks for the reply Karan. Honestly, I think that the over-reliance on scripts is endemic to all Powerdrift videos. It's hard to tell if what's said on screen is the reviewer's genuine in-the-moment insight, or something that was added on later. Good scripts can be entertaining for viewers, but as a guy who has been riding motorcycles legally for 18 years, I want a seasoned reviewer to give me their personal take on what they feel about a vehicle.

[@adityadange954]

​@@rachitv2003 +1

[@arunavv]

@@rachitv2003 the likes on your comment says a lot about the audience watching this video. Please listen to Rachit, PowerDrift - it's an underrated feedback.

[@Rajatgupta1294]

@@carswithkaran Totally agree with this guy. Please water down the scripting or re-visit what good writing is for this day and age of car videos. I am sure the channel numbers are also reflecting this sentiment. Take it as a critical feedback from one of your long term viewers and automotive industry professional.

[@PrithvirajVarma22]

I have heard a Tata exec say somewhere that we have called it a Racer and not a Race-car. From what I understand the Racer isn’t for the average Joe that is sitting in his car dying to get home, it’s more for the enthusiast who’s happy to sit in the traffic as long as it takes because they are in a car that excites them. The Racer is the kind of car that does the normal and is a bit exciting on those Sunday morning. It’s for the enthusiast to fire it up and Spend that extra 5 seconds to listen to the exhaust note idling. What I understand is that TATA is giving us a chance at a peppy, manual transmission with some go fast bits ( looks wise ) directly from the factor. I find TATAs conscious decision to stick to a manual transmission only to keep the car more driver centric commendable, after all it is called a Racer. Sure it’s not the best manual transmission out there but it is something. On that very same note isn’t generalising the Racer to a kitted out variant for anyone and everyone, kind of missing the whole point of the Racer?

[@carswithkaran]

I’m all for a special car that’s a bit more effort to drive - it’s the reason i actually enjoy stuff like the gurkha. but that’s the problem here - the racer isn’t racer enough to feel special. If i was blindfolded - i wouldn’t be able to tell its a sporty 120hp hatch. I’d simply say it’s an altroz. if it had more to offer in terms of driving feel with lower, stiffer suspension maybe or a cooler looking and better feeling steering. even stuff as simple as a more special gear knob could be done.

[@uditpradhan9044]

i dont understand the need to demonize manual gearbox that influencers are upto now a days. not each vehicle needs to be a one size fits all. stop negatively influencing people for manual. that being said pointing the negatives of their gearbox and clutch is good so that they can work on making actually good manuals.

[@carswithkaran]

firstly, not an influencer. secondly, i’m not ‘demonising’ it - buyers who want the top spec, most kitted out, fastest altroz should atleast get the option of an automatic.

[@asphalt9phoque551]

Not demonizing, but the manual gearbox isn't anything to write about either. If it was a smooth with short throws, maybe auto can be ignored. But this gearbox combined with notchy clutch isn't fun(acc to multiple reviewers) and so it ruins the fun. If they worked more on it, would have been better

[@yashsiriah21]

There was a time when auto reviewers used to demonise automatics. Thankfully, that time is going away. Automatics are a boon in tier one and tier two cities. That’s evident in the fact that sales of automatics are increasing year on year. DCTs have better performance than most manuals. And such top of the line cars deserve to have automatics and Tata would be losing out big time if they don’t.

[@arunkumarbalakrishnan8423]

I have to really disagree with the criticism of the lack of an automatic gearbox. In fact, I think you've lost the ball with this. To start things off, I don't think the Altroz Racer will make waves in the Indian automotive segment. That's coming from the owner of an Altroz i-Turbo myself. The Altroz has some of the best driving dynamics in the segment, but it's definitely got a lack of power that 10 bhp and 30 Nm of torque is not going to fix. But that's besides the point. A performance/race variant of a car should be focused on the enthusiasts, who enjoy the control and feel of a manual. Asking for an automatic gearbox is pretty diluting the offering of the performance aspect of the car. Sure, the i20 N-Line gets a DCT, but at the end of the day, it's bought for the sake of convenience, not as a hallmark of performance. I daresay anyone would agree with me if the car in question was the late Abarth Punto, or even the older JTP Tiago/Tigor twins. A performance car should remain pure in most sense of the word. If people want an automatic gearbox, then let them buy the regular Altroz or another car altogether. That's why I bought the Altroz i-Turbo, even though there are other cars that do some other things better. I cry for the performance segment of the market, which has almost nothing to offer for entry level people, save for the Altroz and Swift. The former has a sluggish throttle and wimpy engine stuck in a fantastic chassis, and the latter is just not the same pocket rocket that it launched as. I remember PD released a series of videos comparing the Figo 1.5, Baleno RS, Polo, and Abarth Punto, and in the end, dismayed at how Indian consumers need to buy better cars for us to get better performance cars. But now, in this video, you're basically going exactly against that video, saying that an automatic gearbox is necessary. The ideal criticism of this variant should be that Tata didn't go far enough and revamp the manual transmission, and plonk in a Fiat engine just to see how far the Altroz performance edition could go, not that Tata should be sticking an automatic gearbox in this. I'm personally sick and tired of seeing hot hatches and entry level sedans die out in favor of faux-SUVs which are nothing more than lifted hatches. Bring back some variety in cars instead of asking everyone to drive Crossover SUVs and Compact SUVs with Automatic gearboxes.

[@asphalt9phoque551]

I'm all in for manual, but I also think this car doesn't deserve this gearbox. It's notchy, and the clutch isn't tuned well either. Tata should try to improve the feed and feedback of it, so that manual can be enjoyed. Dct is for the wannabe racers ig, or for those who do a lot of city run but sometimes they need power for some fun too.

[@prithviraj.r5734]

You bought a Tata in search of performance? I mean, the dynamics are all well and good, but did the N line not exist when you bought your altroz? Cuz it is better in every way imaginable and even thought back then it had an iMT and a DCT, they all performed well. And as for purity, this "only manual" means performance hot hatchy talk is just BS, any good gearbox that gets the job done, lets you have fun will always be part of the purity factor Else Porsche's all around the world would only be manual 🤷‍♂️

[@niyazahmed4882]

This sums up!!!! Like this post do it gets pinned

[@NripanNath]

I own an i20 N Line Manual. As much as I love this amazing gearbox, I understand the appeal of the DCT. And unlike an AMT or CVT, a good DCT wouldn't hinder performance albeit you lose a bit of connection to the car. Having DCT as an option wouldn't hurt the performance aspect of the Racer at all, especially when the normal Altroz can be opted with a DCT.

[@rps5952]

@@prithviraj.r5734 I think you forgot about the safety aspect. For a fast hatch segment, safety is even more important than in budget segment. And better in every imaginable way is only told by armchair virtual reviewers. Thats because the ALtroz Racer is not yet in showrooms for normal people to test drive. Only media persons have it for now....

[@sohelshaikh6165]

More like Ricer than racer

[@vish91]

Autoreviewers: 1. Bring back the Manuals for us Enthusiasts! Now: Should have an automatic cos we use this in traffic more 2. This manual needs a slicker and better clutch Later: this is too expensive, I ain’t paying for RnD this car is too costly for the segment 3. We need exhaust note in the cabin! BUT: Audi is pumping artificial engine noises! Sacrilege! OR: Too little sound deadening. Can hear exhaust, traffic etc etc. too cheap feeling.

[@bondof69]

A lot of reviews talk about the engine but as an altroz owner Iam not at all bothered by the engine nor the 0-100 timing. My biggest concern was the gear box and the clutch travel or may I say the zone where the clutch has a bite. Because of the notchy gearbox and the long travel of the clutch it is tricky to drive an altroz spiritedly. I expected a short throw precise gearbox and a clutch with bigger bite point, but looks like Tata failed to address that. That's my dissapointment.

[@carswithkaran]

yup i agree, the 10 extra hp isn’t noticeable unless you drive the two back to back either (iturbo and racer)

[@gauravsharma5434]

The review should have mentioned how the engine feels; is it scruffy, smoother. How does it pull, How is the steering. The focus in this was mostly on gearbox and the lack of an automatic thereof. How was the suspension? Is it soft, hard neutral. How is the ride quality in the city v. Highway. None of it was covered.

[@fpaThEoNe]

TATA's automatic are just bad.. have you driven their patent DCA gearbox??? no where near to the DCT of the koreans.

[@theBartSimpson]

Engine pulls okay, Handling is good, BUT 3-CYL Turbo Petrol sounds and feels like 💩 Fit and Finish🤡 Gearbox is Garbage🤢 Suspensions are tuned for village roads or off-road Ownership experience is like a Vikram Tempo🤡

[@rkarthikeyan4249]

Missing Badly Fiat Punto Abarth and VW Polo GT TSI ☹️🥺💔😓

[@heavenlypot]

An altroz with the new tgdi engine from curvv would be an actual racer 🤤🤤🤤

[@carswithkaran]

exactly!

[@kspranav7782]

Indica evolution ❤😂

[@MaddyKoko]

Tata is fully dedicated to increase sales. Hyundai's sales 😆

[@dhruvshetty.95]

We never got the I20 N line manual gearbox review. This might be a good excuse for a manual's comparison video? 😊

[@carswithkaran]

interesting - i like!

[@rishi4828]

this is farrrr less reliable than any hyundai

[@JCollectsThings]

@@carswithkaran You can have mine for the review. I have the 2024 i20 N-Line N8 Manual. I also switched the stock CEAT to Conti Sport

[@rabinarayanjena1726]

People who are complaining here for 0 to 100 are not at all drivers ,they just do a drag on youtube and go sleep. A good car should be a blend of everything which altroz satisfies up to a great extent although not 100%

[@yudhveersingh1615]

Atleast some changes required other then paint scheme 😂

[@motionpicturestudio832]

The racer developed by a formula F1 car champion 😁

[@motionpicturestudio832]

Naren the formula F1 car racer developed the racer ❤

[@dr_hemanth]

I respect tata But Y the name racer and that racing stripes , it cant beat a 10yr old regular diesel polo

[@aviral_mongra]

Why am I seeing some "Racer" badges on some review units placed right along the split between the black and the orange (or whatever body colour it may be), and in some cases, it is stuck on a bit below that line..?

[@the_mile.muncher]

Should have been called Altroz-R & that was enough ... Tata brought it on themselves by calling it RACER when it isn't even near.. Saw the 0-100 timings which is nearing 12 seconds & that too in a manual.. Imagine a DCA which will launch less aggressively.. This needs a better manual anyday

[@carswithkaran]

yeah i agree, it’s a good product with a name thats out of sync

[@NikhilSinghtherock]

11.3 seconds is not nearly 12...

[@amogus9440]

Iturbo+ seems like another name they could have gone with.

[@carswithkaran]

@@amogus9440 100%, Ameya from Zigwheels also suggested GT, since this is a nice, comfortable highway cruiser

[@NikhilSinghtherock]

@@amogus9440 iturbo+ is literally written on the rear of the racer 😁

[@viking007]

Very good review, thanks. The clutch and gearshift clearly seem to be the downers on this car. And the fact that it’s not particularly quick.

[@carswithkaran]

thank you!

[@STgauss3268]

These people cry for an automatic when people can have fun with a manual. Even camaro and mustang gt owners with advanced torque converters doesn't want them and cried for a manual.

[@carswithkaran]

i’d want a manual in a mustang too, but this isn’t a mustang.

[@STgauss3268]

@@carswithkaran that's why it comes with a price of 9.5 lakhs ex showroom because it's not a mustang.

[@reubenmathew4323]

I love the unscripted part, keep it coming. Can you explain how manufacturers manage to get notchy gearboxes even to this day. I thought those were problems of the gearboxes from the 90s and we are much better off today.

[@suhas3012]

What is the fuel efficiency on the race track versus on the regular roads? Please help me with this is. Does it provide better fuel economy than the i20 n-line?

[@yashagarwal9677]

what is the mileage that we can expect in city and on highways

[@gear2capture564]

For your information to all the automotive journalists- gear and clutch gets smoother with the course of time. You cannot take a car out for review just like picking vegetables in the market.

[@prudhvi953]

Will you chose this over Diesel? With overall drivability considering the in-gear acceleration too.

[@vaibhavsingh-bz1xf]

Very fluid and well scripted review

[@carswithkaran]

thanks vaibhav!

[@NashYouTu]

Tata just put the nexon diesel and a torque converter in ,it will be a amazing car

[@ashleydsilva9284]

rember the JTP man they gave us the best budget sports cars, and we failed them

[@2k6jayesh]

exactly my thoughts. JTP was truly special both Tiago and Tigor. It had sub 10 seconds 0-100 figures. well-tuned suspension and handling. and that exhaust note. just wow. Yet it never sold well. It seems Indian car market is hard to please. When we had "enthusiast" offering, nobody bought it. And now Altroz racer isnt "racer" enough. such a shame.

[@AkshayKulkarni]

I don't see a point buying this when your competition is i20 N Line

[@rajsahib3988]

2:10 is altroz the best handling in its segment ?

[@carswithkaran]

i feel it is

[@chiranjibmukhopadhyay5462]

I20 nline comparison is a must!

[@carswithkaran]

hmm maybe, i’m not sure there’s a solid comparison in it though

[@chiranjibmukhopadhyay5462]

@@carswithkaran yeah. Features wise altroz is better but I think overall nline should have an edge

[@carswithkaran]

@@chiranjibmukhopadhyay5462 yup - drivetrain is not even in the same league

[@fpaThEoNe]

1:50... you missed the TGDi (south Korea) vs just a normal Turbo petrol. Big difference.

[@suchanrai1999]

It's ok they are not calling it JTP, atleast they would had called it as a TAMO or RACEMO

[@GeekforSpeed]

3:42 the right camera isn't working. SO how it a glitch free system ?

[@VKEDITZKBFC]

the right door might be open

[@irideexpeditions8756]

Bro, that door was open. In any 360 camera in the cars, it will show you the 360 view, if all the doors are closed. Because side cameras under the Side view mirror. It’s not a glitch.

[@rohankarvande3715]

Wonder how people from the Auto-magazine section these days are saying Manuals are bad when Manuals are the reason you get more fun yet when they get the Automatics they are like ohh this is boring all said its sad that Automatics are getting too much needless hype, wonder where that's coming from

[@harikrishnan232]

Just Tweak up the diesel Engine Altroz with 20 % power and torque , it will overtake the Racer ❤

[@yellowmellow486]

"the 2 ton gorilla with shocks in the kitchen", did i hear that wrong.....

[@ashworld1016]

12 to 14 lakhs for a hatchback is silly. I am a fan of Tata but seriously.

[@golderheart]

People will compare this car with XUV 3XO base model @7.5 lacs...Jo ki milne wali nahi hai !!

[@Diptentu]

Tata have done the SAFARI thing with this. Just slapped on a racer badge with stripe.

[@starkingx]

If you think having only a manual option is a downside, then I have a broken Baltimore bridge to sell ya.

[@anshulsharma9321]

Thanks for reminding me, I didnt know I wanted to be a racer in my childhood

[@atsonaga5520]

Is this better than the Tiago jtp?

[@susheelchandra244]

i20 nline is better looks and feels wise but expensive imo

[@NikhilSinghtherock]

Interior is definitely better in altroz

[@priteshsaloskar1359]

New alloys on the i20 looks ugly

[@nithinpt03]

Love the colour scheme and sporty interiors... Just waiting for the AUTOMATIC to book this orange racer car

[@RohanAlbal]

A Gallardo 5.0 is also port injected. I love the charachter on this kinda fuel injection. It is once direct injection hit the market that the cars started to be sterile and doctored. @Karan Singh why did you not mention of JTP sports. Surely a few things on the racer would be from its JTP counterpart. Lastly, yes Altroz R is a better name than Racer. Big bummer here

[@riyasfaizal6132]

Tata'$ new 1.2 TGDI ENGINE IS COMING SOON

[@carswithkaran]

yup can’t wait!

[@chaitanyasachdeva1466]

Please just do an indepth comparison of i20 n line vs fronx turbo vs altroz racer and also altroz racer vs altroz diesel before they kill the diesel

[@anshulsharma9321]

Do not use fancy words, instead show genuine information…aesa lag raha hai, english ki competition me aa gaya hua and car dekhne nahi

[@bosu1855]

TATA needs to sort out their fundamentals first.

[@GuptaAmal01]

Reminds me of Ford vs Ferrari. This is what happens when the automobile engineering decisions are taken by men in suits rather than engineers who know their machines... These guys will always be "nearly there but not there yet". Always screwing fundamentals.

[@jayadevp2845]

What's the 0 too 100 figure?

[@carswithkaran]

11.3s claimed, we got closer to 12s

[@cyber_gaming001]

Car helmet ❌. Scooter helmet ✅

[@anshulsharma9321]

WHAT IS 170ish? Can u call it 170 instead please?

[@gauravthakur7699]

Guys be wanting a hot hatch but not a manual. What?

[@carswithkaran]

but its not a hot hatch

[@mayurnisarad]

Nice. XZ (S) LUX iCNG altroz pe video banao sir. Uske details bhi do. Usme bhi ye naye updates hai kya? CNG mein bhi 360 degree camera and 6 airbags and new big 10.25 inch touchscreen ye sab iCNG mein hai kya?

[@carswithkaran]

yes these changes will also come to other models

[@mayurnisarad]

Thanks for confirming 😊​@@carswithkaran

[@rohitcvasanad4717]

I wish tata would have launched Tiago JTP instead of this

[@saurabhaswale2420]

Today, I got to be a Racer, at least be IN A RACER..... That sounded uncomfortable 😅

[@rajarshighosh8813]

But why did you wear a bike helmet inside the car man 😂😂😂.

[@carswithkaran]

rules

[@koustuvganguly]

Hmm, m happy with my i20 NLINE DCT.. No thanks TATA.. 😂

[@vaibhavrathi8624]

Only power drift got red car...wow!

[@uditnarayan9489]

Too much editing made it look red

[@pradyumnanani8006]

Headlamps 🤦

[@vishwavijay9342]

Any upcoming EVs? 🥲

[@JADIS93]

Richest like Racest🔥

[@victim1788]

Will be discontinued before Dec,2025 (just like JPT twins) cheers to Indian Audience 🎉

[@Thakur.rahul04]

I20 is better then this kon lega bhai

[@demongodspov7816]

Why do you crave for dct, where the gearbox does everything for you, if you dont enjoy a manual, then you shouldnt be driving at all.

[@carswithkaran]

explained in another comment as well, asking for the option of a DCT in the flagship variant of a premium hatchback isn’t “craving” i’m gonna let the rest of the comment slide, cheers

[@starkingx]

@@carswithkaran it's not about the price. This a car for driving enthusiasts. It makes complete sense for having an only manual option. But the quality of that gearbox should be good.

[@Anupevo10]

Welcome INRC🎉

[@gunsNwings]

But is it faster than polo gt tsi 😅

[@carswithkaran]

not even close

[@pranavvalvaikar2170]

No it isn't bt fact that TATA is trying to do smthng close to it shud be appreciated. Isn't it???

[@Mr.Coffee576]

@@carswithkaran But the Altroz Racer has 11 hp more than the GT.

[@vivekrkumar7585]

​@@Mr.Coffee576 VW calculates power to the wheels, other brands calculate power produced by the engine, so it's definitely not 11bhp more. i20 is also more Powerful on paper but still Polo is faster than that.

[@harid4249]

​@@Mr.Coffee576 Polo has a 4 cylinder engine. Altroz is a 3 cylinder.

[@ReganOnWheels]

Ricer not Racer😂

[@shashankrao6202]

❤❤❤ PowerDrift

[@Mr.Coffee576]

I rather wait for the Polo, which btw will be coming back.

[@dhhavs]

Where did u get that from?? There's no such news.

[@carswithkaran]

as sad as that makes me, i don’t think it will come back

[@Mr.Coffee576]

@@dhhavs Its confirmed by the brand director. But it might come as an SUV or an EV.

[@Mr.Coffee576]

@@carswithkaran It was hinted that the Polo might come back at the VW brand conference. Even VW realises Polo is way too popular in India.

[@dhhavs]

@@Mr.Coffee576 as an suv?? They already have taigun for that. Anyways, polo coming to India is jus wishful thinking. Even when it was on sale, it didn't do as good numbers as vw would have liked.

[@susana426]

1.2 turbo and u put a helmet. 😅

[@carswithkaran]

rules of a racetrack

[@venkatavikramdaskadiyala9059]

"Be in a racer" ☠

[@amaldev7736]

🔥

[@bhushanladgaonkar7889]

unscripted bit was better

[@bhatianeeraj86]

First comment

[@powerdriftofficial]

🥉❤️

[@bLitZgeneSiS]

First

[@powerdriftofficial]

🥈❤️

[@hirakd2800]

Informative but poorly scripted and who's this presenter? Mediocre at best with horrific pronunciation.

[@carswithkaran]

hey hirak! apologies you felt that way man, i did feel the video wasn’t quite there too. The next one’s going to be better for sure, hope you stick around 🙌🏻❤️

[@anujkanse4351]

1st comment

[@Arpit_pal110]

First racer in the comment ❤

[@powerdriftofficial]

🥇❤️

[@carswithkaran]

welcome ❤

[@theBartSimpson]

Ferrari KILLER🔪🩸🔥

[@Chan-iw1vf]

Racer for chapris

[@sappz]

Why? Racing is not just about 0-100. It got rigid chassis, better stability which naturally means that it will be faster around corners🤷🏽‍♂️ So why you guys always bitchin about 0-100🤷🏽‍♂️

[@rohitgupta3434]

The halogen lights sucks 😪