Over the course of 76 years since our country’s independence, the Indian automobile market has undergone some evolutionary and some revolutionary changes. The passenger vehicle market especially, since independence has witnessed some tectonic changes with some iconic cars gracing the streets of India over the past seven decades.
Let’s look at some of the iconic cars launched in India post independence, that disrupted the passenger vehicle segment. We will be looking at cars that not only churned out large sales but also left a lasting impression on Indian car enthusiasts.
Top disruptors in Indian car market
- HM Ambassador
The Ambassador is an iconic name in India, first launched in 1957. It was based on the Oxford Morris Series and was manufactured at Hindustan Motor’s plant in Uttarpara, West Bengal until 2014. HM bought the rights from Morris in 1956 and the 1957 models came with an Austin Motors-sourced 1476 cc side-valve petrol engine and were later updated to a 1489 cc, 55 bhp overhead-valve motor.
It became a hit not only for private consumers but also for various taxi unions across the country. You can still spot quite a few Ambassadors plying on the roads of Kolkata.
- Premier Padmini
Easily the closest competitor of Ambassador, the Premier Padmini, also known as Fiat 1100, started production in 1964. Based on the original Fiat 1200 GranLuce Berlina, the Fiat 1100 Delight had a 1221 cc engine and 4-speed manual gearbox. Relatively streamlined compared to the snub nosed Amby, it caught on popularity, especially amongst the aspiring Indian middle-class of that time.
- Maruti 800
Launched in 1983, to counter Ambassador and Padmini, this little car brought a giant revolution in the Indian market. It showed us that cars need not necessarily be rear-wheel driven, and can also be friendly to the pocket. Initially priced at Rs 48,000, this car came with an inline 3-cylinder 796cc petrol engine the 800 produced 37 horses and 59 Nm of torque.
It gathered so much demand from prospective buyers that many were ready to shell out over a lakh for this tiny car. The 800 turned out to be the first car for innumerable Indian families.
- Maruti Gypsy
A rebranded second generation Suzuki Jimny, Maruti introduced the Gypsy in India back in 1985 which paved the way for off-road utility vehicles in the country. While there were off-roading SUVs earlier, Gypsy’s compact proportions made it ace tough terrains, a reason why it was so popular among the armed and police forces of the country.
Further, it came with a petrol engine, rare for a 4×4 vehicle, and offered multiple roof tops including an open top, soft top or a hard top, making it very versatile.
- Tata Indica
Indica finds itself in this list for multiple reasons. Firstly, it was one of the early ventures of Tata Motors in the passenger vehicle industry, which until then was a trusted brand in the CV segment. Secondly, it was the first small hatchback to be powered by a diesel engine. Launched in 1993, the Indica’s X0 platform was so robust that updated version of the same continues to underpin models like Tiago and Tigor.
- HM Contessa
Contessa was the first made-in-India premium sedan and the second offered from Hindustan Motors. Based on the Vauxhall Victor, Contessa was powered by a 1.5-litre BMC B-series engine mated to a 4-speed HM manual transmission. Such was its footprint that many owners customised the Contessa to look like a proper muscle car. The Contessa Classic was a very popular choice for top government officials because of its luxury.
Honda set foot in India with the City launched in 1998. It was a true interpretation of a modern premium sedan and till today has a huge fan base. It came with an engine which initially tilted towards strong performance but later took a balanced approach prioritising efficiency and practicality over power while retaining a fun driving experience.
- Maruti Zen
Already basking in the glory of 800, Maruti introduced another small hatchback, this time a bit more premium and sporty than the former and named it Zen. First launched in May 1993, Maruti Zen made ripples in the Indian car market with its quirky jelly bean-shaped design and sporty character.
It stayed in production till 2006 but too many renditions of Zen including a two-door bodystyle, the Classic with retro visual elements and finally the Estillo just killed the aura of the OG Zen.
Mahindra Scorpio is easily one of the most recognisable SUVs on Indian roads. Popular for its rugged build, off-roading capabilities, and muscular design, the Scorpio was first manufactured in 2002, nine years after the idea was first conceptualised in 1993.
Initially priced at a shocking Rs 5.50 lakh (ex-showroom), the first Scorpio came as a 5-seater and was powered by a 2.6-litre SZ2600 turbocharged diesel engine that made a healthy 108 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. Mahindra fittingly introduced a generation upgrade of Scorpio in India’s 75th year of independence.
- Maruti Swift
Maruti launched the Swift in 2005 and it effectively took the mantle of a premium sporty hatch from Zen. Whatever the Zen did, Swift did it better and turned out to be a perfect all-rounder for an average car buyer. It offered great fuel economy with more than decent performance and comfortable in-cabin experience.
In its third generation currently, Swift continues to be the best seller for the Indo-Japanese carmaker as well as among the top three best sellers in the PV market. The company is currently working on a fourth-gen model of Swift slated to make its debut sometime in 2024.
