Stand out from the crowd! The Tata Altroz Racer gets a one-of-a-kind dual-tone paint scheme.

Stand out from the crowd! The Tata Altroz Racer gets a one-of-a-kind dual-tone paint scheme.

Stand out from the crowd! The Tata Altroz Racer gets a one-of-a-kind dual-tone paint scheme.

In a surprising turn, undisguised test mules of the soon-to-be-launched Tata Altroz Racer were spotted on public roads for the first time. The vehicles revealed a key visual difference compared to the model showcased at the Bharat Global Mobility Expo in February.

New spy photos show the Tata Altroz Racer undergoing testing with a key difference from its February reveal. Though it keeps the same eye-catching orange and black color scheme, the test vehicle features diamond-cut alloy wheels, just like the standard Altroz. This replaces the previously showcased dark chrome/black wheels.

The plot thickens regarding the Tata Altroz Racer’s wheels. While the February expo model showcased dark chrome/black alloys, these latest spy shots reveal diamond-cut ones, similar to the standard Altroz. It’s unclear which design will make it to production. Other confirmed exterior tweaks include racing stripes, “Racer” badges, and a slightly revised grille.

Highlighting performance:

Gearing up to compete with the Hyundai i20 N Line, the Tata Altroz Racer packs a punch. It gets a significant power boost by borrowing the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Altroz iTurbo. The Racer cranks out 120hp and 170Nm of torque, exceeding the iTurbo by 10hp and a substantial 30Nm. However, expect the Altroz Racer to only stick with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Highlighting exclusivity and future upgrades for the standard Altroz:

The Tata Altroz Racer boasts a tech-loaded cabin with features coming to the regular Altroz later. This includes a segment-first offering: ventilated front seats for ultimate comfort. The Racer also features a massive 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera for effortless parking, and a futuristic heads-up display. Adding to the convenience is a voice-activated sunroof. The Tata Altroz Racer puts safety first by including six airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) as standard features of all models. Ensuring these major safety features are included without any additional cost.

Also read: Genesis luxury vehicles are expected to arrive in India by late 2025.

Focus on market position and competition:

The Tata Altroz Racer will be the most expensive and feature-rich version of the regular Altroz hatchback. It is estimated to cost between ₹10 lakh and ₹12.52 lakh (without taxes and dealer markup). The Altroz Racer will compete directly with the popular Hyundai i20 N Line. The race for dominance in this segment will likely heat up further with the arrival of turbocharged variants from Maruti Fronx and Toyota Taisor.