Ever increasing prices of petrol and diesel has made the car buyers more worried about how to select the best running machine which will not only have upscale comfort and good looks but also have great fuel efficiency. For the last five years, Indian car manufacturers are working consistently to make the most fuel efficient cars. Earlier only Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motors used to rule the automobile industry, but now there are many companies which are showcasing some exotic cars that deliver exceptional mileage. Here is listed out the exclusive collection of latest top five most fuel efficient cars in India.
Chevrolet Beat Diesel
In the race of most fuel efficient cars, Chevrolet Beat Diesel cars have dropped down to second spot after the launch of Tata Nano 2012. It has 1.0 XSDE SMARTECH Common Rail Diesel engine from Chevrolet, made exclusively for India. This feature makes it unique in terms of fuel efficiency. With a power output of 58.5 PS and 150 Nm of torque, this engine packs a punch and promises a mileage of 24 km/l as per ARAI. Its engine made up of Aluminium alloy DOHC cylinder head with light weight, graphite coated low friction pistons provides an improved performance and a longer engine life. A smart turbo charger with a vacuum activated waste gate cuts in smoothly for instant torque build-up. It has a stunning look with its futuristic and sporty design. From the styling and comfort perspective, Chevrolet is no doubt a better option over Tata Nano 2012, but it has a high price than Tata Nano. It’s price ranges from 3,87,699.
Hyundai i10
This year has made Hyundai shine in almost all of its car segments. Hyundai Eon has been quite efficient from this point of fuel efficiency and price but i10 is also the stunning machine in terms of fuel economy. Hyundai i10 has a mileage of 20.3 km/l as per ARAI and ranks as the fourth most fuel efficient car. It has 1.2 liter VTVT engine which allows it to deliver a good mileage along with maximum power of 80 PS at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 11.4 kgm at 4,000 rpm. Hyundai Motors is also looking forward to launch a variant of diesel engine of Hyundai i10 by 2012, which is speculated to deliver much better mileage than the current petrol variant. It has a price range of 3,63,758 to 6,12,514.
Tata Nano 2012
Recently Tata has launched Tata Nano 2012 in India, which is more refined and more fuel efficient than its previous versions. It has a mileage of 25.4 km/l according to ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India), which makes it efficient as well as more economical. It has left behind its competitor Chevrolet Beat, which provides a mileage of 24 km/l. Tata Nano 2012 is loaded with a 624 cc, 2 cylinder MPFI petrol engines that has caliber to toss maximum power of 38 PS at 5500 rpm with the maximum torque being 51 Nm at 4000 rpm. All these features have bought Nano back on the number one spot in terms of fuel efficiency. It’s price ranges from 1,30,000.
Hyundai Eon
Hyundai Eon is the latest and cheap innovation of Hyundai Motors. It is the third best car in terms of fuel efficiency. Hyundai Eon has an ARAI mileage of 21.1 km/l. It is poised with 814 cc, 3 cylinders, 9 values petrol engine which allows it to agitate better power and torque thereby delivering a decent fuel economy. The unique digital gear shift indicator helps attain maximum optimum gear usage and best possible fuel efficiency. Safety features including Anti-lock Braking System, EBD etc are missing from Hyundai EON although driver side airbag on EON Sportz ensures that EON is the safest car in its class. It’s price ranges from 2,73,599 to 3,78,721.
Nissan Micra Diesel
Nissan Micra was launched in the Indian market with 3 petrol engine variants, with 5 speed manual transmission- initially. The petrol version of Nissan Micra is introduced with a 1.2L, 1198cc, DOHC, 12 valve, 3 cylinder engine that produces 76PS of top power at 6000 rpm and 104 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm via five speed manual gearbox. The Nissan Micra petrol variants are: Nissan Micra XE, Nissan Micra XL and Nissan Micra XV.Powered by a 1461cc, 4-cylinder k9k diesel engine, the Micra produces 64 BHP and 160 Nm and returns a mileage of 23.08 kmpl. The car is priced at 6,75000.
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10
Maruti Alto series has been one of the most sold cars in India, but in terms of fuel economy it has dropped down to fifth position with mileage of 20.2 km/l as per ARAI. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is powered by 1.0 liter, 3 cylinders, 12 valve, KB10 petrol engine which can assimilate maximum power of 68 PS at 3200 rpm with its peak torque being 90 Nm at 3500 rpm. It’s price ranges from 3,22,067 to 3,35,242.
Tata Indica e-V2
The Tata Indica is manufactured by Tata Motors of India. It is the first passenger car from Tata Motors and is also considered India's first indigenously developed passenger car. Current monthly sales of Indica are around 8000 units. The models have also been exported to Europe, Africa and other countries since late in 2004. The car comes with a CR4 common rail diesel engine. It has a displacement of 1396 cc delivering 70 PS @ 4000 RPM. It has a torque of 140 NM at a lower 1800-3000 RPM. The company claims that the new CR4 engine will improve fuel efficiency. The car is priced between 2.95 lakh and 3.95 lakh.
Hyundai Verna
The Fluidic Verna is a very fuel efficient car. The Hyundai new Verna comes with two petrol engines, 1.4 VTVT (variable timing valve train technology) that generates a power of 105.5 bhp at 6300 rpm and a torque of 135.3 Nm at 5000 rpm, while the 1.6 VTVT churns out a power of 121.3 bhp at 6300rpm and a torque of 154.9 Nm at 4200 rpm. The diesel 1.4 litre CRDi VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger) engine generates a power of 88.7 bhp at 4000 rpm and a torque of 219.9 Nm at1750-2750 rpm, while the 1.6 CRDi VGT engine pumps out a max power of 126.3 bhp at 4000 rpm and a torque of 259.8 Nm at1900-2750 rpm. Compliant to Euro V emission norms, the engine provides unmatched performance and outstanding fuel efficiency. The Verna 1.4 diesel returns 23.5 kmpl, while the Verna 1.6 diesel returns 22.32 kmpl. Verna is priced between Rs 7.11 – 11.26 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki Swift Diesel
Swift is a sub compressed car fashioned by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Previously, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America. In India, Swift was launched by Suzuki as a joint venture with Maruti and the car is known as Maruti Suzuki Swift. In the Indian auto market Swift is offered with seven alternatives, four with petrol and three with diesel engine option. The sales volume is around 18,756. It is lighter and even with the same 1.3-litre diesel engine produces 74 BHP and 190 Nm. But the mileage is improved and the new Swift returns 22.9 kmpl. The car is priced at Rs 4.44 - 6.76 lakh.
Hyundai i-Gen i20
Hyundai i20 comes with a price tag of 4.73 lakh and is available in 12 different models.The engine of Hyundai i20 iGen 2012 is upgraded to 1.2 Kappa petrol engine with Dual VTVT mechanism with more power and improved mileage. The 1.2 Litre Kappa engine delivers max of 83 BHP of power. The 1.4 U2 CRDi diesel engines come with 6-speed manual transmission that delivers 90 PS of power and 224 Nm of torque. The 1.4 Gamma automatic petrol producing 100 PS power and 139Nm of torque is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission.