The Hyundai Getz diesel is here to take hatch performance to the next level. Giving it some serious competition is the Swift diesel. The two battle it out for top spot.
Hyundai launched the Getz with the same CRDi engine found on the Verna, which makes a whopping 110bhp. This engine on the Getz, which is 36kg lighter than the Verna, gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 96bhp per tonne. A Variable Geometry Turbo, or VGT has been used to extract this power from Hyundai’s new range of diesel motors. In contrast, the Swift uses a Fixed Geometry Turbo or FGT and has Fiat’s 1248cc Multijet motor, which is smaller than the Getz’s and produces a much lower 75bhp. The power-to-weight ratio for the Maruti is 69bhp per tonne. This difference is clearly seen in the performance also, with the Getz being much quicker than the Swift in terms of speed and time taken from 0-100kph. The Getz reaches a top speed of 171kph whereas the Swift goes only as high as 160kph. 0-100 in the Getz takes a mere 11.3seconds while the Maruti takes 13.8seconds. This margin is even wider when figures go up to 140kph; the Swift taking five seconds longer than the Getz. However, what the Swift has going for it is that despite the lack of power, its performance is more than better for everyday driving.
In fact, the Swift beats the Getz when it comes to driveability. In traffic, due to turbo lag, one has limited acceleration unless one downshifts to a lower gear and into the powerband. For good low speed responses and high speed thrust, the Getz uses a VGT and has tuned the turbo to deliver closer to the maximum thrust resulting in a bit of lag when you ask the engine to accelerate from 1000 to 1200rpm. Depending on which gear you are in, this lag continues till 1800 to 2000rpm. Comparatively, the Maruti also has some amount of lag but despite the limitations of the FGT, its driveability is better than the Hyundai.
Once you pass the 2000rpm on the Getz is when there is a surge in power and performance that leaves you amazed. In fact, you might be tempted to keep driving the Getz above the 2000rpm mark just to feel that power. This is especially true in third gear, where the gearing allows you to surge forward from 60 to 100kph in just six seconds. The Getz’s best trick is the way in which it smokes its inside wheel, coming out of a rapidly-driven second gear corner. Still, this is nowhere near as fluid as driving a petrol car hard. As this is a direct injection diesel, the powerband isn’t all that wide, with power tailing off around 4200rpm. And this means bursts of power in first and second are somewhat truncated, as you run out of revs. The Swift, in comparison, has a slightly wider powerband that allows the motor to rev till 5000rpm. The Swift scores higher than the Getz in terms of mileage as well. The Swift diesel 14.4kpl in the city and 19.1kpl on the highway and the Getz delivers 12.6kpl and 16.2kpl on the city and highway respectively.
Besides the motors, the two cars are very similar to their petrol powered versions. The Swift has more comfortable front seats that are wide and offer great support to the back and thighs. The Maruti also offers the best driving position, which is an added benefit if the car is used on a daily basis. In the rear seats however, the Getz is the winner – the seats are comfortable and the boot is decent sized as well as bigger than the Swift’s boot.
Verdict
The Hyundai Getz CRDi is the ideal example of how diesel hatchback performance is only getting better. The Getz diesel is a great performer, is comfortable and is a fast car that is as good as any petrol-powered vehicle. What’s more it isn’t as expensive to own or maintain as a petrol would be. Still, despite the advantage, it is Rs. 70,000 more expensive than the Swift and given it is a diesel, doesn’t have brilliant fuel economy figures either. In addition, for the price, the Getz does not come very well equipped; it does not even offer ABS as optional. The Swift on the other hand, is already hugely successful, offer good enough performance and really saves precious money owing to its superb fuel economy. These reasons leave us little choice but to proclaim the Maruti Swift winner.
TECHNICAL DATA
Hyundai Getz CRDi
Price : Rs 5.97 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai)
Engine layout : 4 cyls in-line, 1493cc
Max Power : 110bhp at 4000rpm
Max Torque : 24kgm at 1900rpm
Top Speed: 171kph
0-60: 4.91secs
0-100: 11.32secs
CFE: 13.75kpl
Fuel tank capacity: 45litres
Boot capacity: 294litres
Length: 3825mm
Width: 1665mm
Height: 1515mm
Wheelbase: 2455mm
Weight: 1137kg
Ground clearance: 160mm
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