Automobiles like the Tiago JTP, Baleno RS, Figo diesel, Freestyle, the Abarth Punto and even the Polo GT TSI were some of the most fun to drive, however are not on sale anymore.Published On Mar 05, 2023 09:00:00 AMBack in 2019, an average Indian vehicle buyer, trying to find a city automobile with some pep had numerous options as described in our web story, appropriately titled, a lot of enjoyable to drive automobiles under Rs 10 lakh. The list consisted of vehicles like the Baleno RS from Maruti Suzuki, the Figo and Freestyle from Ford, the trendy Abarth Punto from Fiat and the Tiago JTP from Tata. Four years later, none of these, including the VW Polo GT TSI which was a little more than Rs 10 lakh, are on sale as a new cars and truck in the Indian market. We tell you what made these gems vanish from the Indian automobile scene. 1. Maruti Baleno RSThe Baleno RS released in 2017 was Maruti Suzukis very first turbo-petrol offering in our market. Touted as a “hot hatch” by Maruti, the Baleno RS came with a 102hp, 1.0-litre turbo petrol “Boosterjet” engine that produced a decent 150Nm of torque mated to a five-speed manual.Performance was okay for the section and the Baleno RS did a 0-100kph sprint in a respectable 10.25 seconds, which was a big distinction when compared to the standard first-gen Balenos 12.6-second timing.The Baleno RS was a slow seller thanks to its lower fuel economy figure and the somewhat higher pricing, compared to the standard Baleno, which sold like hotcakes. Maruti even slashed the Baleno RS prices more than when and close to the models demise, it was priced at a difference of simply around Rs 31,000 to the standard Balenos Alpha version. Maruti being a high-volume gamer did not see benefit in keeping the Baleno RS on sale.The then impending BS6 norms were the last nail in the coffin as updating the 1.0-litre Boostejet engine for just one design didnt make monetary sense for the brand and this prompted Maruti to pull the plug on the Baleno RS in early 2020. The exact same 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine has been upgraded to abide by newest emissions norms and will see responsibility in the upcoming Maruti Fronx coupe SUV that will go on sale in April this year.Also read: Buying used: (2015-2019) Maruti Suzuki Baleno2. Ford Figo diesel, Freestyle dieselFords second-gen Figo went on sale in 2015 and the high-riding Freestyle joined the line-up in 2018. While both models were available in fuel and diesel motor choices, it was the latter that fit the vehicles trip and managing abilities more. This diesel engine was a 1.5-litre unit great for just 100hp and 215Nm unit, but it performed well than its petrol counterpart.The Freestyle was even much better than the Figo, especially in the City, thanks to its raised suspension with 190mm ground clearance which meant it took bad roadways with no stress at all. Ford, unlike other brands, updated their little capacity diesel engines for the rigid BS6 norms, which meant the diesel-powered Figo and Freestyle soldiered on post April 2020, only to go off the rack a little later when Ford decided to shut shop in India in September 2021. Also read: Buying used: (2015-2018) Ford Figo diesel3. Fiat Abarth PuntoFiat presented the performance-oriented Punto Abarth back in 2015. It was an instant hit amongst the lover community and we at Autocar India had an enjoyable time with our long-lasting Punto Abarth too. The car had a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol, which was an absolute firecracker, and it went from 0-100 in around 9.5 seconds. This combined with hydraulic steering and an able chassis made the Abarth Punto a hoot to drive, especially around the corners.It featured a five-speed handbook which was nothing to compose house about, however 145hp of power from a hatchback of that size was absolutely nothing less than best for sub-Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). It also included special alloy wheel style, outside graphics and a 30mm reduction in flight height. As the Fiat brand name itself exited the nation in 2019, it was drapes for the Abarth Punto too, hence making it a future classic for our market.Also see: Maruti Baleno RS vs Abarth Punto vs Polo GT TSI comparison4. Tata Tiago JTPThe Tiago JTP and Tigor JTP were substantiated of Tata Motors joint venture with Jayem Automotives Pvt Ltd (known as JT Special Vehicles or JTSV). The performance-oriented JTP twins were customized models of basic models, keeping three standard elements in mind– improving engine output, embracing a sportier design theme inside and out, and making the vehicles manage and sound better.Prices began at under Rs 7 lakh for the Tiago JTP hatchback that had sportier appearances, unique alloy wheels and a turbocharged 1.2-litre engine great for 114hp and 150Nm of peak torque. Geared up with an optimised suspension set-up and fatter rubber, it likewise had a somewhat modified exhaust note.In June 2020, both business watered down the joint venture, following which JTSV became a completely owned subsidiary of Tata Motors. The slow-selling JTP twins were eventually not upgraded to BS6 standards. See: 2018 Tata Tiago JTP, Tigor JTP video review2018 Tata Tiago JTP evaluation, test drive5. Volkswagen Polo GT TSIThe Polo GT TSI went on sale in 2013 replacing the dull Polo 1.6 from 2010. The 1.2-litre turbo-petrol hatch equipped with the DSG transmission was an instantaneous hit and gathered its own fan following despite its Rs 10 lakh-plus price. It did a 0-100kph sprint in a decent 11.3 seconds.The German hot hatch soldiered on and even received a brand-new 1.0 TSI engine as an upgrade to BS6 norms. A 12-year production run for basically the exact same car indicated sales were diminishing and that resulted in the end of the GT TSI and the entire Polo line-up in the Indian market.Also see: Buying utilized: VW Polo GT TSIWhich of these performance hatchbacks do you miss out on the most? Let us know in the comments below. Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights scheduled.

Cars and trucks like the Tiago JTP, Baleno RS, Figo diesel, Freestyle, the Abarth Punto and even the Polo GT TSI were some of the most fun to drive, but are not on sale anymore.Published On Mar 05, 2023 09:00:00 AMBack in 2019, a typical Indian car purchaser, looking for a city car with some pep had multiple choices as explained in our web story, aptly titled, a lot of enjoyable to drive vehicles under Rs 10 lakh. Maruti Baleno RSThe Baleno RS launched in 2017 was Maruti Suzukis very first turbo-petrol offering in our market. Promoted as a “hot hatch” by Maruti, the Baleno RS came with a 102hp, 1.0-litre turbo fuel “Boosterjet” engine that churned out a decent 150Nm of torque mated to a five-speed manual.Performance was not bad for the segment and the Baleno RS did a 0-100kph sprint in a reputable 10.25 seconds, which was a huge distinction when compared to the standard first-gen Balenos 12.6-second timing.The Baleno RS was a sluggish seller thanks to its lower fuel economy figure and the somewhat higher rates, compared to the standard Baleno, which sold like hotcakes. Maruti even slashed the Baleno RS rates more than when and close to the models demise, it was priced at a difference of just around Rs 31,000 to the basic Balenos Alpha variant. Maruti being a high-volume gamer did not see merit in keeping the Baleno RS on sale.The then impending BS6 standards were the final nail in the coffin as upgrading the 1.0-litre Boostejet engine for just one model didnt make monetary sense for the brand and this prompted Maruti to pull the plug on the Baleno RS in early 2020.