Compact Sedans & Hatchbacks Reveals Drive Auto Expo 2014

By Ganesh

Updated: Friday, May 2, 2014, 14:37 [IST]

Compact sedan and hatchback reveals ruled the week ahead of the 2014 Auto Expo with automakers rushing to showcase their cars ahead of the two eventful days to prevent being overshadowed.

Of these reveals four new models made the most news. These include - Tata Bolt hatchback, Tata Zest compact sedan, Hyundai Xcent compact sedan and Ford Figo Cocnept.

These reveals are noteworthy for several reasons. For one, these models represent the success of their respective segments. Segments that are flourishing despite the general industry slowdown.

Tata Bolt

The Bolt hatchback is Tata's attempt at clearing Vista's "taxi car" image. In short, a heavily facelifted Vista, the Bolt gets a modern face and plenty of technology and features, slotting the Tata among premium hatchbacks like the Hyundai i20 and VW Polo.

Tata Zest

The compact sedan segment is one of the most successful segments right now and Tata has jumped into the bandwagon of Indian carmakers turning their hatchbacks into compact sedans. The Zest, based off the X1 platform that also forms the base for the Bolt, is the Manza replacement. Beside the same new premium features as the Bolt (including a few extras) the new thing that the Zest brings to the game is an automatic manual transmission, which provides the same mileage as a manual transmission. The Zest is the only compact sedan in India with this new technology.

Ford Figo Concept

Another compact sedan model, this time from Ford, the Figo concept is the compact sedan incarnation of the Ka Concept (next gen Figo hatchback). Ford Figo concept seems like a well rounded car that will provide a healthy competition to its competitors once it goes into production.

Hyundai Xcent

You know how important compact sedans have become to carmakers when the third model reveal in a week is again a sub-4 meter sedan. Hyundai Xcent, like the other cars in this segment, is based on a hatchback, the Grand i10 in this case. Hyundai is clearly looking to bring back the glory days of the Accent sedan.