First showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo, DC has been extensively testing the Avanti sports car which is scheduled to be launched in 2015. The production version was showcased at this year’s Auto Expo.
We first saw the DC Avanti as a prototype at the 2012 Auto Expo with high hopes to tap into the nascent Indian sports car segment. Two years down the line, DC was back to the 2014 Auto Expo with the production version of the Avanti sporting a number of changes to the design and interiors. While the launch was promised very soon, the company has not stopped testing its flagship sports car extending the launch date to next year. Having snapped the Avanti test mule on innumerable occasions, it seems the sports car will be quick to dethrone the Scorpio for being popular on the interweb with countless amounts of spy shots.
This time around our super fast reader Dr. Mohan Ranawade managed to snap these new spy shots of the DC Avanti while doing its runs on the Mumbai-Pune expressway and was averaging 160-170 km/hr on the route. Best known for its outlandish car customizations, the design is pleasing from the company, while the two-seater arrangement is pure novelty in our market. Compared to the prototype, DC made some required changes to the exteriors including new revised headlights, new tail lights and added ORVM integrated turn indicators and new air intakes at the rear. The sports car however, retains the original curves and pronounced wheel arches.
A quick reminder on the specifications, the DC Avanti is powered by the Ford sourced 2.0-litre, direct-injection with VVT turbocharged petrol engine that produces 240 HP of power at 5500 RPM and 360 Nm of torque at 3500 RPM, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The car weighs a decent 1562 kgs and rides on 19-inch alloy wheels with stopping power coming from 330 mm ventilated discs at the front and rear. The sports car can do the 0-100 km/hr sprint in under 7 seconds. There is also a possibility of a more powerful Avanti with a V6 engine producing around 400 HP later in the car’s lifecycle.
Expected to be priced around Rs. 35 lakhs (on-road, Mumbai), the DC Avanti will be a one of its kind model at that price point. In terms of competition, the vehicle rivals the Mercedes A-Class, BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3 sedan among others available at a similar price point, which also offer a better brand value in comparison. Nonetheless, the Avanti enjoys the title of being the first made in India sports car and will definitely find takers who appreciate performance over luxury and want to be distinctive.
