Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Ford Figo.
CarDekho.com

From the eyes of a car lover the year 2010 was one of the best years in the history of Indian passenger car bazaar.

It was not only a treat for car manufacturers as their sales figures rose, but also for the car buyers who were spoilt for choice.

Being a market of small car lovers the hatchback and small car section of the country's car market saw the most number of launches. Let's take a look at some of them.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Ford Figo.

Ford Figo

The car just won the Indian car of the year award and is slowly becoming one of the most preferred hatches of the country.

It comes with a price tag of Rs 360,485 - 541,595. (ex-showroom, Delhi) and even has the feel of a big car.

The car comes in both the petrol and diesel version.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Ford Figo engine.

The 1.2L petrol engine is capable of producing 71PS of maximum power and 102 Nm of peak torque while the 1.4L, Duratorq diesel engine that currently powers Ford Ikon and Ford Fiesta produces 69PS of maximum power and 160 Nm of top torque.

The car is available in four variants in both petrol and diesel engine - Lxi, Exi, Zxi and Titanium.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Volkswagen Polo.

Volkswagen Polo

The VW badge is coveted by many car buyers and with the new Volkswagen Polo it has come within the reach of many.

Polo is available in both petrol and diesel options.

It has a three-cylinder 1.2L (1198 cc) petrol offers 74 BHP (5,400 rpms) and 110 NM of torque (3,750 rpms).

The 1.2L 3-cylinder diesel offers 74 BHP (4,200 rpms) and 180 NM of torque (2,000 rpms).

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Front head lights of Polo.

Polo has features like remote keyless central locking that includes remote window up/down on the highline.

The Volkswagen Polo is available between Rs 434,000 - Rs 700,000 (prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Chevrolet Beat.

Chevrolet Beat

Many call it a toy-car look alike but the peppy model by General Motors is a decent performer with a very good fuel economy rate.

It comes with a 1.2L 4 cylinder petrol engine powers the Chevrolet Beat.

This 1199cc 16v DOHC engine offers 79 BHP at 6,200 rpm and 108 NM torque at 4,400 rpm

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Dashboard of Beat.

It is a good city car and can be handled easily in traffic congestions.

The cars light clutch with a short pedal range and power steering keep the driving effortless.

The car falls in the price bracket of Rs 357,168 - Rs 419,877(ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Nissan Micra.

Nissan Micra

The carmaker recently launched the diesel variant of the car, which is expected to make it big competition for some established names.

Nissan's first India specific hatchback Micra is competitively priced between Rs 398,000 - Rs 529,000.

It comes in three variants including XE (Rs 398,000), XL (Rs 469,000) and XV (Rs 529,000) (ex-showroom, Delhi).

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Rear seats of Micra.

Micra has a 1.2L petrol unit and the diesel unit is anticipated sometimes in the future.

Nissan Micra's 3 cylinder DOHC 1198cc petrol engine is capable of producing 75 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 104 NM of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Micra is the only hatchback in the segment that has driver airbags as standard.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Skoda Fabia.

Skoda Fabia

Called the supermini this premium hatchback had been struggling to find its ground in the Indian market for a long time.

Recently Skoda launched a new and upgraded version of the car.

The new Fabia comes with a 1.2 L, TDI CR, DOHC, three-cylinder, turbocharged motor that produces 75 bhp power at 4200 rpm and 180 Nm at 2000 rpm.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: The front seats.

The car has a manual five-speed gearbox and other features like new tail lamp, wider tyres, larger fog lamp, dual tone dashboard, MP3 cd player, dual front airbags, ABS (Antilock Brake System), motor speed regulation (MSR), Engine Braking Control (EBC), dual rate brake assist, 14" alloy wheels in elegance (top end variant) and height and reach adjustable steering wheel.

The car gives a mileage of about 15.5kmpl in the city and 19.5kmpl on highways. The base variant of the car starts at Rs 419,000.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Hyundai i10.

New Hyundai i10

Coming from the Hyundai stable the all new Hyundai i10 had a heavy baggage of expectations as the outgoing model had done exceedingly well.

The new Hyundai i10 when launched matched up to almost all those expectations.

The car's new engine - the 1.1-litre iRDE unit is capable of producing 68bhp.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: The engine.

The same torque is now delivered at 4000rpm.

The new Kappa2 uses variable valve timing or VTVT and generates 79bhp and peaks at 5200rpm.

Kappa2 claims excellent fuel efficiency figure of 20.36kpl meaning the i10 1.2-litre Kappa2 is more fuel efficient than the iRDE2 motor.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Wagon R.

New Maruti Wagon R

The tall boy from the Maruti family was upgraded and re launched as the blue eyed boy.

The new Wagon R 2010 now has a K10B engine producing 68PS of power and 90Nm of torque.

It is priced at Rs 328,000 - Rs 381,000 and has a more contemporary feel with new features like a new grille, striking headlights and bumpers.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: The front seats.

The car also has optional ABS and Airbags in the higher end VXi model.

The dashboard has a new central console which comes with integrated stereo AUX-In for ipod connectivity and larger circular control for the Aircon.

The steering is also new and has been lifted from Maruti Swift and the car also comes with a seatbelt alarm as standard.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Maruti Swift.

New Maruti Swift

The New K series engine fitted in the Maruti Swift makes it a better performer and a 'Swifter' car.

The engine is the same that does duty in the Maruti Ritz.

This new 1.2 litre engine is capable of producing 84bhp power, which is 3bhp less than the old 1.3 litre G13B unit.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: The engine.

Even at a low rpm of 1500 the car sprints effortlessly beating Ritz in its performance.

The new K-series engine has made driving the Swift less taxing and has improved the fuel economy.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Maruti Alto K10.

Maruti Alto K10

The 'K' factor was added to the country's bestselling car Alto a while back.

The new K series Alto is available in two variants - Alto K10 LXI and Alto K10 VXI with a price tag of Rs 303,000 - Rs 316,000 (ex showroom Delhi).

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: An interior view.

The new Alto K10 exists along with the older version and it comes with a 1.0L, K10 engine capable of delivering 68PS of maximum power at 6200rpm with 90Nm of maximum torque at 3200rpm.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Indica Vista.

New Indica Vista

The Indica Vista too got a new variant - the all-new Indica Vista Drivetech4.

The Indica Vista Drivetech4 is BS-4 compliant engine with a price tag of Rs 357,000 for the Safire petrol range and from Rs 440,000 for the Quadrajet diesel range (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Drivetech4 has a Eurotech gearbox teamed with the Vista Drivetech4 Quadrajet diesel and Safire petrol engines.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Interior view.

The additional cosmetic and safety features on the new variant include a 2-DIN stereo system with Blue 5 and USB port, dual airbags (driver and passenger) and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), a 4-spoke tilt-adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable driver's seat and flexible 60:40 flip and fold rear seat add to the comfort.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Fiat Punto.

Fiat Punto

The company recently launched the 90hp engine to give more choice to the buyers.

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Check out the 11 hatchbacks launched in 2010

Image: Front seats.

The more powerful 1.3-litre Multijet engine is capable of delivering 90bhp of power as against 75bhp on the regular diesel version.

The car is priced at Rs 679,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is only offered on the Emotion trim.

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