MUMBAI :

The Altroz by Tata Motors, formerly known as the 45X concept, built on the ALFA (Agile, Light, Flexible, Advanced) Architecture and named after the seabird – the Albatross – (famous for its long flights and gliding movements) needs no introduction. From the time of its launch, the feature packed Tata Altroz hasn’t ceased to amaze, and with newer variants being added, it just seems to keep getting better for the buyers out there. We drove the Altroz’s brand new DCA (Dual Clutch Automatic) variant and here's what we think of it…

From the outside, nothing much has changed. You get the same reassurance from the strikingly beautiful dual chamber projector headlights which extend from the side of the grille almost to the bonnet giving it a distinct look and which do a fairly good job of lighting up the roads that you drive on. The crease lines on the bulging bonnet, the beltline which gives the Altroz its rakish look, the unconventional door handles housed in the C-Pillar, all remind you of why the Altroz truly is the Gold standard with that beautiful chiseled look. The black roof as well as the use of black elements in the rear tail lamps is something that you won’t miss in a hurry and which add to the Altroz’s sporty looks. The 16-inch laser alloys in dual tone remain unchanged as well but now, they look even more striking on the Opera Blue colour. It must be said here that Tata Motors is paying close attention at least to feedback from Auto Journalists and incorporating their suggestions on their newer products. How do we know? We had some feedback vis-à-vis their choice of blue colour last time around and we’re happy to report that it has been well received. What is new on the Altroz DCA this time around on the outside is merely the DCA badging that lets you know that you’re driving the Dual Clutch Automatic!

Inside, from the three different textured finishes on the dash to the grey fit and finish, everything feels precisely engineered and has a very tactile feel to it. The 15-litres cooled glove box, the 345-litres of boot space, the adjustable seats (Front) with arm rests for front and rears seat passengers ensures that all occupants are comfortably seated inside. Because the Altroz is also big on space, you don’t get the feeling of being crammed whilst seated inside, both at the front as well as at the rear, thanks to its roomy interiors and flat floor. 

In terms of Tech, the Altroz DCA gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system from Harman with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with 8 strategically placed speakers to make your music sound just the way you like it. Besides, a variety of options to customize wallpapers and screens (amongst other things), is also on offer. The 7-inch infotainment system and the 7-inch instrument cluster both have crisp displays with easy to read dials and are also easy on the eye in the sun and give you all navigation as well as driver-related information at a glance.

The Altroz DCA is powered by the 3-cylinder, 1.2-Litre (1199cc) Revotron, BS-VI engine which churns out 86hp @6000rpm and 113 Nm of torque @3300rpm. However, this time around what had us really excited was the Altroz DCA’s brand new 6-speed DCA (Dual Clutch Automatic) gearbox that uses a wet clutch, thereby providing better cooling to the gears and making it more suited to our different road, driving and climatic conditions. Besides, the use of Shift by Wire technology which does away with shifter cables completely, thus enhancing the gearshifts and making the drive even more engaging was something that we were also keen to check out.

We drove the Altroz DCA around Mumbai for a bit. While we have enjoyed driving this nippy little hatch around, we felt that after the fourth gear is engaged, it is a tad bit slow in building up more power and felt that the power seemed to plateau slightly, around the 80kmph mark. However, kick the accelerator hard and it should give you the desired results. There is no doubt that your driving experience with the DCA is a smooth one, however, if you’re looking for that punchy acceleration for spirited driving, you’ll probably be better off with the Altroz iTurbo, launched last year, because after the 3000 rpm mark, you’ll notice that not only does the engine get more audible but that there is also a slight dip in power and a lag in the gearshifts. Overall, though, the Altroz DCA, offers a smooth drive and you should have absolutely no problems especially while driving it within the city. 

We have been fans of the ride quality of the Altroz and the Altroz DCA’s ride quality is no different. It is indeed very good and the 165mm of ground clearance holds it in good stead. The 90 degrees door opening is also a feature that many appreciate on the Altroz and needless to say, the Altroz DCA gets it as well. 

My only other gripe with the Altroz remains its horn which is way too hard even for my large hands to press. Even the horn which has been provided on the side isn’t soft enough and in the case of emergency honking, it isn’t going to be the easiest of horns to press. This is something that Tata Motors must definitely address on a war footing especially considering the fact that we live in a country that loves to honk. 

When it comes to safety, the Altroz’s 5-Star Safety rating from Global NCAP automatically puts it ahead of competition. There are two frontal airbags, height adjustable seatbelts, ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), CSC (Centre Stability Control) and BSC (Brake Sway Control). Also, the fact that the Altroz uses 3X stronger steel as compared to regular steel and the energy absorbing body structure which prevents the cabin from distortions, in the case of unfortunate mishaps only means that you can rest assured that you are in a safe vehicle.

If you’re in the market for an automatic hatch, within the price bracket of INR 8-10 Lakhs, the Tata Altroz DCA is a good choice for you especially if you want to be spared the hassle of shifting gears and while there are rivals out there too, few can contend with the spaciousness and safety that the Altroz DCA offers. Bottom line – The Altroz DCA may not be an enthusiast’s car but if you’re going to use it for your daily driving needs especially within the city it will get the job done.