A litre is not much — a quick look at a bottle of water will convince you. The same can be said for engines in the past, which barely made enough power to help one get around. However, with technology, engine development, and with the magic of a turbocharger, a 1.0-litre engine can be fun to drive, while also being very efficient.
The Germans have shown us this in the past with their cars and now, the South Koreans have also shown us how fun a 1.0-litre engine can be. This has also urged Indian manufacturers to follow suit and make fun-to-drive 1.0-litre engines. Here are the five most powerful cars and SUVs with a 1.0-litre engine in India.
Most-powerful cars and SUVs with 1000cc engines in India
Hyundai i20 N Line
The most fun-to-drive vehicle set up for an enthusiast is a small hatchback, a turbocharged engine, manual gearbox, and an all-wheel-drive system. The Hyundai i20 offers all of it, apart from the all-wheel-drive configuration, making it an engaging hatchback. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine makes 118bhp and 172Nm of torque, mated to a manual or a DCT gearbox, while the throaty exhaust with crackles adds to the fun aspect of it.
The Kia Sonet and the Hyundai Venue share a lot in common, from the platform to their engine options. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is the solution for those looking for performance in an SUV-ish vehicle and the two deliver it. Powered by the same 118bhp engine as the i20 N Line, the Venue is available with the same treatment too.
Skoda Slavia/Volkswagen Virtus
If hatchbacks are not your cup of tea and sedans are, the Germans have a solution in the form of the Volkswagen Virtus or the Skoda Slavia. Similar to Hyundai and Kia, VW and Skoda share the same platform and engines, and in this case, is a 1.0-litre unit that makes 114bhp and 178Nm of torque, mated to a manual gearbox or an automatic torque converter.
Skoda Kushaq/Volkswagen Taigun
If German saloons are too boring, there are German crossovers as well in the form of the Volkswagen Taigun and the Skoda Kushaq, which get the same 114bhp 1.0-litre engine options as the saloons. The Kushaq and Taigun have been one of the best-sellers for the two carmakers and they share the same underpinnings as well.
What if you’re the kind of person looking for a made-in-India vehicle? The Maruti Suzuki Fronx is the answer then, as the Baleno-based crossover gets the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine, which makes 99bhp and 148Nm of torque, either with a manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic torque converter. Launched last year, the Fronx has proven to be a popular vehicle in Maruti Suzuki’s lineup.
