Sportscar for the Price of a Venue?
Everyone has once dreamt of getting a sports car, may that be a 911, an M4 or an M2. Sports cars give you the power and handling that other vehicles can’t. Match the performance with the low-riding, sleek looks, and sports cars remain on everyone’s bucket list. But these cars are usually expensive. However, DC attempted to make one for the Indian masses – the Avanti. The Avanti went through its ups and downs, which is why you can buy one used for the price of a top-end Hyundai Venue. Here is everything you should consider before buying one.
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Looks
When launched, the Avanti was quite talked about. Foreigners wanted to see what an Indian sports car would look like. It is no Ferrari, but it is what a sports car should be. Low ride, sleek looks, aggressive cuts and creases, a glass pane through which you can see the engine, side air intakes and stylish alloys – it has it all. To the enthusiast, it looks borderline ugly, but it is still a headturner.
The ride height isn’t as low as the serious track racers, but it is just enough to survive on Indian roads. It is not necessary to have an SUV for road presence. The Avanti can turn as many, if not more, heads than any other car on sale at the moment.
Interior
The interior build quality is relatively poor. You get leather seats and some soft-touch materials here and there, but that’s it. The touchscreen is also aftermarket. Being a sports car, the cabin is impractical and yo. There are a few positives as well. The driver’s display is fully digital (but you cannot change the layout), and you get Automatic climate control.
If you plan to buy one, you shouldn’t buy it for the cabin. You are much better off with the feature-loaded interiors of a base model Creta, even.
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The Drive
This is why you may consider buying the Avanti. It gets a 2.0L turbo-petrol engine sourced from Renault. The lower trim produced 250 horsepower and 340 N·m of torque, while the top trim had a 60-horsepower advantage. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, and you can also opt for an automated manual. The mid-engine, RWD layout makes for a fun drive. The engine isn’t weak either, and the 0-100 time is a measly 6 seconds. It is a budget sports car and performs like one. However, beware before you try to touch its 200 kmph top speed, since it has no airbags.
The one issue with the Avanti is that it weighs a whopping 1.5 tonnes. It is not very sports-car-like. The steel chassis is a huge let-down. Due to the relatively high ride height, it is suitable for Indian roads, but don’t expect fast lap times on the track.
The Catch
There are many catches. The glaring ones are practicality and maintenance. DC is a relatively small brand, and finding spares is an expensive affair. It may be practical for a sports car, but it remains impractical compared to hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs.
DC were involved in a major scandal. Many Avantis shared identical registration and engine numbers. The brand’s owner was booked, and 14 models were seized. This issue does not apply to all cars, but it is essential to ensure the car’s details are thorough before buying one, and it doesn’t have a matching registration or engine number to any other Avanti on the road.
The DC brand has faced heavy turmoil after this case. To make things worse, the customer support is nonexistent. You won’t be able to get any DC-certified service centres to fix the car, and you’ll have to get the service done yourself or by a trusted mechanic.
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Should You Buy One?
If you want to be sensible, the simple answer is No. But if you want to stand out, you should go for it. Do not treat it as a daily driver, but more like a project car. The car has great potential, and if you have enough resources, you should maintain it at your home garage. You would have to hunt for spares and maintain it yourself, but it is worth it if you want to own a sports car on a tight budget.
This particular model is listed at 17.5 lakh rupees, and you can bring this number down with proper negotiation. It cost more than 50 lakh rupees when new. If planning to buy, set aside 1-2 lakh rupees for the maintenance costs. Also, make sure an official source checks the registration and engine numbers. If you get the government’s seal of approval, you are good to go.
It is a 2019 model, which is relatively new, so it won’t be too much of a pain to maintain, but still be careful if you do plan to buy. It is an interesting choice over the ordinary SUVs and is the cheapest way to get a sports car in India.
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