Sports cars are fast becoming popular in India and it is no longer a rare sight to see Ferraris, Audis and other sports cars driving down our roads, with their flashy paint jobs, massive aerodynamic wings and roaring engines. Watching one of these sports cars race past you is one of the most thrilling experiences. So, imagine driving one of them!
Some other sports cars thrown into this mix are the Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Carrera, Jaguar F type and Ford Mustang. More and more people are getting a taste of the high life when it comes to sports cars and they seem to be taking the nation by storm off late.
The thrill of driving a sports car is like no other. Revving powerful engines and driving at top speed down a deserted road is a pleasure only few can have. The adrenaline rush of going from 0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds can only be achieved in a sports car like a BMW, Jaguar or Porsche.
Sports Cars in India
Along with the fast speeds and huge engines these cars have, they come with big price tags that not everyone can afford. Big brands of sports cars in India command big prices, however sports car enthusiasts are willing to pay big bucks to get their adrenaline fix from these luxury sports cars.
Several automotive manufacturers have made a big name in India with their sports car offerings. Here are some of the best sports cars in India.
Lamborghini Huracan
Often described as a monster on the road, this fire breathing V10 on the Lamborghini Huracan encompasses the thrill of extreme driving in a sports car package. The body and interior are made from lightweight materials like aluminium and carbon fibre which aid the car to reach a top speed of 325 km/h.
The engine is a 640 bhp, naturally aspirated unit of 5.2 litre. Body panels exude extreme aerodynamics allowing the car to simply glide through the air. The interior is made of high-quality suede leather, Alcantara and other exotic materials, giving the driver an ultra-luxurious feel.
Porsche 718
This Porsche has a typical German design with no striking edges, rather smooth curves, that exude a sporty look. The interiors are plush and luxurious, while the suspension has active damping support which makes this car an excellent daily driver.
Being a sports car, you wouldn’t expect it to have too much cargo space, but there are multiple storage options and two luggage compartments. The engine is a 4.0 litre, flat, 6-cylinder that outputs nearly 500 bhp. With the engine placed at the rear and low to the ground, the Porsche gets a low centre of gravity which provides it with superior handling and ride characteristics.
Twin exhaust system gives the familiar rumble of its monster like engine, and is made of stainless steel and painted in black keeping the sporty theme in mind. This is one of the best sports cars you can buy in India.
Ford Mustang
The Mustang is well known for its high performance and muscle car styling, not just in the USA but all over the world. It is a much-loved car in India too, due to its relatively low cost (although Rs.74.61 lakhs is not a low price, but compared to other sports cars in the country, it is the cheapest sports car in India). There are four models of the Mustang available, namely, the EcoBoost, GT, Mach 1 and Shelby GT 500.
The Mustang offers responsive handling, and superior control due to its MagneRide Damping suspension system that adapts to different road conditions. At this price point, the Ford Mustang is the best sports car you can buy in India.
Nissan GT-R
It is rare to see a sports car from Japan topping the list in terms of performance and speed, but the Nissan GT-R is a class apart when it comes to acceleration times, engine displacement and top speed.
The essence of the GT-R is a twin-turbocharged, 3.8 litre, V-6 that outputs a whopping 570 bhp of maximum power and 637 Nm of torque. What makes the engine so unique is that only a few trained craftsmen in the world are authorised to build and work on this engine making it almost a piece of art.
It is said that these engine artisans put their soul into the car in the hope that the driver can achieve the maximum performance from this one-of-a-kind sports car. It is definitely an honour to drive the Nissan GT-R when it comes with that sort of heritage and dedication.
In India, the Nissan GT-R is priced at Rs.2.12 Crore and can achieve a top speed of 315 km/h.
Conclusion
When it comes to sports cars, India is probably the last country that can claim to have them driving around on the roads. It is true that India has one of the biggest automotive industries, yet it comprises largely of mass market, budget friendly hatchbacks and sedans. Sports cars are a whole different league and make up a small percentage of sales in the country.
However, the situation is changing and we see more sports cars on our roads today than we ever did in the past. Car buyers are willing to spend that extra cash on a flashy car as it is the only way to flaunt their wealth and status. Exclusivity is another factor that wealthy car buyers like, therefore they customise their sports cars to make them stand out from the crowd.
As incomes and spending increase in the country, we should be seeing more and more sports cars on the roads of India. Sports cars are already gradually rising in sales as the new generation of our nation aspires towards the high-end lifestyle. It is often a dream of many to own a sports car, and we should see this dream become a reality in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which is the best sports car in India?
Ans. The Lamborghini Huracan seems to be the most popular and desirable car at present in India. People just love its powerful V12 engine and commanding, sporty looks, making it a force to be reckoned with in the automobile world.
The Lamborghini offers a ride and experience like no other car in the world, and has been bred in motorsports for the past few decades making each and every model a road and track winner.
Q2. How do I buy a sports car in India?
Ans. A sports car can be bought off the shelf from an upmarket niche dealership that sells ultra-luxury and sports cars. A sports car dealer can be contacted in any of the large metro cities, and an order for a sports car can be placed with them.
Q3. Can a sports car be used as a daily driver?
Ans. Today’s sports cars are very reliable and convenient enough to be used as daily drivers. You will have to spend a lot on petrol and maintenance though, because these cars are not cheap to run. Since sports cars have very large engines, they tend to consume a lot of fuel. Also the complicated nature of components means that a small repair may cost you big bucks. Replacement of any parts will have to be done at the authorised dealership, which adds to the costs because you will pay a premium for any parts you replace.
Q4. Which is the most expensive sports car in India?
Ans. The Bugatti Chiron with a price tag of Rs.19 -22 Crore is the most expensive sports car in India. The Bugatti Chiron is a super sport, ultra-luxury coupe, which has an 8-litre quad turbocharged petrol engine. It is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission for slick gear shifts at tremendous speeds. The engine produces 1500 bhp @ 6700 rpm and 1600 Nm of torque @ 2000 – 6000 rpm.
Q5. Which is the best sports car in India under 1 Crore?
Ans. One of the best sports cars you can purchase in India under 1 Crore is the Jaguar F-type which costs Rs.90.93 lakh. It ranks as the best sports car in this price range. It is a 2-seater, 2 door coupe with gorgeous styling and drop dead looks, that can be used as a daily driver. It gets an 8-speed automatic transmission that can take the Jaguar from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h.
The Ford Mustang, priced at Rs.74.63 lakhs comes in at a close second place and is one of the Jaguar’s fiercest rivals in this price segment.
Q6. Which is the cheapest 2-seater sports car in India?
Ans. The Porsche Boxster with a price tag of Rs.1.02 Crore is considered the cheapest 2-seater sports car in India. The Porsche has exceptional performance, a modern cabin design and a power range on engines.
The only thing it misses out on is the lack of cargo space, high cost of ownership and maintenance and it doesn’t get a manual transmission option.
Q7. Are there any electric sports cars available in India?
Ans. Currently, there are no electric sports cars on sale in India, but the BMW i8 offers hybrid technology in a performance coupe, which is a combination of electric and petrol motors.
It gets an 8-speed automatic transmission that directs power to the rear axle with assistance of an electric motor on the front axle. Total power is rated at 131 bhp and torque is at 250 Nm. The car is priced at Rs.262 Crore.
Q8. Are there any modified sports cars in India?
Ans. One of the most famous customising companies of India is DC ‘Dilip Chhabria’. This is a world-famous design house that modifies plain jane cars into sports cars that make one stop and look. DC is known for escaping the dynamics of normal road cars and turning them into masterpieces. Cars like the Ford EcoSport and the Mahindra XUV500 have received the DC treatment and transformed into sporty vehicles.
It surely costs more than the standard price, some cars being modified to double their value, but car owners are willing to shell out to make their cars look unique and sporty.
Q9. Which car qualifies as the best sports car in India?
Ans. In terms of performance, styling and heritage, the best sports car in India is the Porsche 911.
The Porsche 911 is a rear engine sports car that was built to push the limits of racing. There is no other sports car on the market that can match its character, handling, charisma and aura. Most of the car is made from lightweight aluminium with carbon fibre for the suspension and driveshafts.
Through the years it has brought comfort, luxury and technology into what was already a truly dynamic package. It is priced for Rs.1.69 Crore. It gets a flat, 6-cylinder, 3.0 litre petrol engine that outputs a hefty 641 bhp and 450 Nm of torque @ 6500 rpm. It is simply the most beautiful coupe you can buy in India.
Q10. Are there any sports cars in the range of Rs.10 lakhs?
Ans. A true sports car can cost upwards of Rs. 1 Crore so it is unimaginable to find that kind of speed and performance from a car that costs Rs.10 lakh.
But if you are looking for a cheap sports car on a budget, the Hyundai i20 N line is a good choice because it is inspired by motorsports. It gets a 1.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine that pumps out 120 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 172 Nm of torque @ 4000 rpm. This engine comes mated to either a 7-speed dual clutch automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission.
Q11. What qualities should a good sports car have?
Ans.
- The best sports cars have the following qualities
- Stylish and eye-catching design
- Performance and high speed
- A high displacement powerful engine
- Exhilarating acceleration
