5 Affordable diesel cars with the highest 'torque per rupee' quotient

A car with a high power output can easily achieve higher top speed and move faster than most road users but not many know that it's actually the car's torque output that helps the car achieve its peak speed faster. In day-to-day use a high top speed isn't as important as the car's in-gear acceleration, where it is torque that comes in handy. Here is a list of 5 mainstream cars that cost less than INR 10 lakh but offer you high torque output -

Volkswagen Ameo - 37.31 Nm/lakh

The Volkswagen Ameo is the least priced VW sedan you can purchase in the country (monthly sales average - 730 units**). Interestingly, however, it shares its motor with the performance-focussed Polo GT TDI. The stonker of an oil-burner produces a maximum power of 108 bhp and a peak torque of 250 Nm. The motor comes mated to a 5-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The latter, however, is significantly pricier and those looking for a fun-to-drive yet well-priced diesel car can safely stick to the manual 'box. The VW Ameo diesel is on sale at a starting price of INR 6.70 lakh* and is the only sub-4-metre sedan that enjoys a peak torque output of 250 Nm. It offers a torque-per-lakh-rupees figure of 37.31.

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Tata Nexon - 35.81 Nm/lakh

The Tata Nexon is the most affordable SUV in its carmaker's lineup. With an average monthly sales of 4,269 units**, it has managed to establish itself pretty well in the sub-4-metre SUV market. The modern sub-4-metre SUV offers a modern design, a feature-laden cabin, and powerful turbocharged petrol and diesel motors. Our focus, today, is on the Nexon's 1.5-litre oil-burner, which goes on to output a maximum power of 110 PS and a peak torque of 260 Nm. The diesel-sipping Nexon is on sale at a starting price of INR 7.26 lakh, which leads to a torque-per-lakh-rupee score of 35.81.

Ford Freestyle - 34.79 Nm/lakh

With an average monthly sales of 1,525 units**, the Ford Freestyle is the most popular hatchback-based crossover in the market. Its diesel variant is powered by a 1.5-litre motor that produces a maximum power of 99 bhp and a peak torque of 215 Nm. While the torque output isn't close to what the Nexon and the Ameo manage, a starting price of INR 6.18 lakh* leads to a torque-per-lakh-rupees score of 34.79.

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Ford Figo - 34.62 Nm/lakh

The next car on our list comes from Ford India again. The punchy 1.5-litre diesel motor outputs a maximum power of 99 bhp and a peak torque of 215 Nm, which, coupled with a base price of INR 6.21 lakh*, leads to a torque-per-lakh score of 34.62. While the Ford Figo, which has an average monthly sales figure of 55 units, has been a dud for a while, the company has a chance to set things right with the launch of the facelift early next year. The updated model will be powered by the same oil-burner but the new model has good chances of being introduced at a lower price point, thereby enhancing the value quotient offered by the B1-segment model. This should also enable the Figo to have a higher torque-to-cost ratio. Interestingly, the Figo is the only B1-segment hatchback among the cars listed here.

Ford Aspire - 33.33 Nm/lakh

The final car on our list also belongs to Ford India, equipped with the same diesel engine as the Freestyle and the Figo. The Figo-based compact sedan (monthly sales average- 1,431 units**) has a base price of INR 6.45 lakh* and is the only sub-4-metre sedan, after the VW Ameo, to have made it to this list. It may be noted that the refreshed sedan is significantly cheaper than the pre-facelift model, which, along with a healthy torque output, helps it achieve a high torque-per-lakh-rupee quotient of 33.33.

*ex-showroom, New Delhi

** from June-November 2018