The Indian market has seen a dearth of new launches over the past decade, many of which have created an entirely new segment for themselves ranging across varied price brackets. All said and done however, proper “enthusiast” cars have always been priced at the higher end of the spectrum for the common man with the cheapest one being the Skoda Octavia VRS.

Having said this, not all mass market cars are mundane or boring to drive. Some have managed to prove that you don’t need big money to have fun. Additionally, many of these cars can turn out to be very capable platforms for a serious number of mods. Here it goes then, a list of capable, pocket friendly cars that are enough to satiate your thirst for enthusiasm on a budget.

Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI

Any enthusiast’s car compilation is incomplete without the Polo. Launched back in 2009, the Polo has had a number of engine+gearbox combinations shoehorned into its engine bay, including but not limited to a punchy 1.6 TDI and the unforgettable 1.2 TSI paired to the quick shifting 7-speed DSG gearbox.

With both these engines now laid to rest thanks to BS-6 norms, the Polo now has to make do with a petrol only lineup comprising of a 1.0L NA 3-pot petrol (Offered with a 5-speed manual) and a 1.0L Turbocharged direct injection petrol (Paired to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter). Right off the bat, its quite obvious what our pick would be. The 1.0 TSI might have one cylinder less than its predecessor, but it makes up by gaining a more modern and contemporary DOHC setup coupled with forged internals and better heat management. All this means the 1.0 TSI packs the same punch as the 1.2 did. Additionally, the engine also breaths easier at higher rpms thanks to the DOHC setup, and is a lot more tuner friendly.

What might be a downer is the fact that the 7-speed DSG gearbox is not offered anymore. A 6-speed torque converter replaces it. Our pick would be the slick shifting 6-speed manual gearbox.

What remains unchanged even post BS-6 norms are the Polo’s driving dynamics which remain true to its German lineage. What makes matters even better is the fact that a host of aftermarket addons and accessories are available making it one of the most mod friendly cars in the Indian market.

All in all, the Volkswagen Polo comes across as a car which has a lot of potential to harness ranging from the engine, all the way to the suspension and even features. What doesn’t quite work in its favor is its age and the fact that competitors have moved on with better feature lists and interiors.

Ford Figo 1.5 TDCI

Ford has been synonymous with making cars that have contributed to the enthusiast’s scene in the early 2000s starting from the Ikon ROCAM 1.6 (fondly known as the Josh Machine) to the Fiesta 1.6S. All said and done however, it was agreeable that the 2015 Figo didn’t quite have the same magic its predecessors had the bragging rights to. Ford listened intently, and the result was a Figo S with stiffer suspension and a number of visual enhancements thrown in.

The Figo facelift however saw the S variant being axed and a BLU variant taking its place. While the blue decals and inserts might not be to everyone’s taste, what will surely have enthusiasts interested is the fact that it remains the only car in this list to offer a diesel. The 1.5 TDCI is a humble SOHC motor but packs close to 100hp and an impressive 250nm of torque. This gives the Figo a 0-100 time of around 10s and a top speed in excess of 180 kmhr.

The suspension setup and steering might not be “typically” Ford, but they are far better than a majority of mass market hatchbacks on sale and will leave no one complaining. What might not be of interest even to an enthusiast is the spartan feature list (no apple carplay, android auto) and the fact that some of the interior bits have started to show their age. The Figo however does make up to an extent by having 6 airbags on the top end variant, apart from being one of the cheaper cars on this list.

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