Das Boot!

'Das Boot' or the boot is a major benchmark in the Indian market. Having a boot directly escalades the car to the realm of 'Badi Gaadi'...So naturally this segment has been exploited by the manufactures, and how! Yes, I am referring to the trend of simply adding a boot to a hatchback. Though this trend has been prevalent since long (remember the Fiat Petra!), I have recently started noticing it and sort of analysing.
So let's take a look what this segment has to offer...

• Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Dzire is one of the highest selling cars from this segment. And it isn't hard to see why...The car is really very well engineered by the guys at Maruti. And at some level I do feel proud of this car, because the entire process of adding the boot to the Swift has been done by the Indian engineers at Maruti. Kudos. Handling wise it is almost identical to the Swift, just the rear has been softened for more comfort as many cars in this category are chauffer driven. But, and this is a big one, the car is horribly let down by its looks. It does grow on you; well mostly because the owner would be inside the car. But why make other humanity suffer! So buy this if you hate your neighbour and park it in front of his window every day. But jokes apart, it a very logical car and brilliant in all aspects, looks are subjective.
  
  
  
• Tata Indigo Manza
  
  
  
  
  
  This too is right up there when it comes to the sales figures. Like every Tata product to date, it is a very frugal, logical and spacious; more car per car. Tata like Maruti understands our market very well, and Manza is just what the doctor ordered! The car is huge, I mean colossally huge. It would easily put a car two segments above it to shame. The downside is that it is a Tata and the quality levels are not up to standard, handling and performance wise do expect everything as in the Vista. Now I come to the looks, like the Dzire the job of attaching a boot though from the engineering point of view has been done perfectly, it doesn't score much on aesthetics. The rear overhang is just too large and completely out of proportions. But still I don't find it as preposterous as the Maruti, some do, but an option that has to be considered.
  
  
  
• Fiat Linea
  
  
  
  
  
  Some may not agree, but I have come across people who don't know that the Linea is actually based on the Punto, it's the Punto with a boot-job! And this says a lot doesn't it...the Italians have done this so perfectly that at first glance it is not evident at all. This is a really gorgeous, pretty and attractive car, I doubt someone may disagree. Earlier it had been let down by the lack of outright power, but the recent launch of the turbocharged petrol variant has given this Italian beauty a shot in the arm. It now has the power which compliments its brilliant chassis and handling. But the picture isn't so rosy here either, rear headroom is at a premium and overall fit and finish isn't that amazing. And then there's the Fiat brand image which isn't so remarkable. A product I would say that can be appreciated by a true fan, just like expensive scotch or wine. The car for a Connoisseur.
  
  
  
• Volkswagen Vento
  
  
  
  
  
  Vento is the new kid on the block. It's packed with legendary German engineering and has incredible looks. If Linea is the Italian beauty, Vento is the Hollywood hunk. Its chiseled looks are attractive, but I wish they would have done something to the front so that the Polo lineage wouldn't be so obvious. Sales as of now are good, it is a good product. Brilliant engine options and seemingly reliable operation are a few of the plus points. Handling and ride wise, it is satisfactory but not for the enthusiasts. Interior quality is up to the international standards et al. When buying in this segment, not considering this is a sin!
  
  
  
  So this sums it all up I guess, 'Das Boot' concept works!!! Now some smarty pants out there might point out that the SX4 is too a hatchback originally and the boot has been added for our market. Yes, I agree but without the hatchback here, I doubt it would have fit in. These smarty pants would say then, what about the City, it too is a Jazz with a boot. The city has been engineered separately internationally since very long and our market was introduced with the hatch much later, so just didn't feel like it..! And heres one amusing fact...the 1st three cars use the same diesel engine, the Fiat 1.3 Multi-jet in some form or the other!! 

-Gaurav Singh