Having a fast car is something everyone wants. Be it a small car or a big one, the feeling of having the fastest car in the segment is very satisfying. If you agree with that fact, this story will be helpful. Here are the fastest cars in each segment. All figures courtesy Overdrive magazine.
Entry level hatchback
Datsun redi-GO
The latest entrant into this segment, the Datsun redi-GO happens to be the fastest in the segment as well, closely followed by the Kwid. The redi-Go has a top speed of 140 kmph. The redi-GO is powered by the same 800 cc 3 cylinder engine that does duty on the Kwid. The engine produces 53 Bhp and 72 Nm. The engine is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox only as of now. The only reason why the redi-GO will be faster than the Kwid could be down to the fact that the redi-GO is lighter. Other cars like the Alto and the Eon are not too far behind though.
Compact hatchback
Maruti Celerio
As shocking as it may sound to everyone, including us, it is the Maruti Celerio which is the fastest car in the compact hatchback segment. It has a top speed of 148 kmph. Powering it is a 1.0 liter K10 3 cylinder petrol engine that does duty on the Alto K10 as well. It produces 67 Bhp and 90 Nm. The engine is mated either to a 5 speed manual or an AMT. The figures are for the manual one though.
Upper compact
Maruti Swift
This one should come as no surprise. The Swift is the most fun to drive car in this segment and also happens to be the fastest. Powering it is the 1.2 liter K12 engine that produces 83 Bhp and 115 Nm. This engine is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. It has a top speed of 168 kmph. The Swift has been with us for over a decade now and has begun to show its age. Thankfully, a new Swift will be coming in next year with a whole host of new features and may even get better engine options.
Premium compact
Fiat Punto Abarth
The Fiat Punto Abarth has taken the whole hatch market by storm. Until it was launched, the Polo GT TSi was the fastest hatch and was the one everyone chose if they were looking for a fast car. However, the Punto, with its 1.4 liter turbocharged unit makes 145 Bhp and 212 Nm, which is 42 Bhp and 37 Nm more than that on the GT. There has been no top speed run done on the Abarth as of now, however Autoevolution reports that the top speed of the Abarth is 200 kmph. The GT TSi is close behind at 190 kmph.
Compact sedan
Ford Figo Aspire
The Aspire happens to be the most powerful car in the compact sedan segment. The 1.2 liter engine in the Aspire produces 87 Bhp and 112 Nm. It only comes with a 5 speed manual gearbox. If you want an automatic, you will have to opt for the 1.5 liter petrol. The automatic is a dual clutch one. It produces 110 Bhp and 136 Nm. The top speed of the Aspire petrol is 172 kmph. The Aspire is also the only compact sedan to offer 6 airbags as an option on the top of the line variant.
Midsize sedan
Volkswagen Vento
The Vento can be had with 2 engine options in petrol, a 1.6 liter or a 1.2 liter turbocharged unit. The 1.6 liter unit makes 103 Bhp and 153 Nm and is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox where as the 1.2 liter unit makes the same 103 Bhp but 22 Nm more torque at 175 Nm. The top speed of the Vento petrol is 185 kmph. The Honda City and the Skoda Rapid are not too far behind though.
Compact SUV
Hyundai Creta
The Creta is a very popular SUV. It has a wide range of options to suit everyone’s need. Petrol, diesel, manual or automatic, whatever be the need, the Creta has a model to suit it. The engine we are talking about here is the 1.6 liter petrol one. It produces 122 Bhp and 154 Nm and has a top speed of 184 kmph. The Ford Ecoboost is the only other petrol SUV that comes close to it.
MPV
Maruti Ertiga
The MPV segment is one with not much excitement. People carriers are boring and are mostly used by taxi fleet or by those people who would rather take the back seat than drive. But if you were looking for a fast MPV, the Ertiga would have to be your choice. Though the 1.4 liter K14 motor may not sound very exciting, it produces 94 Bhp and 130 Nm. It has a top speed of 158 kmph.