Popular Cars in India and the meaning of their names

Are you a car enthusiast? Do you think you know everything about cars? Let’s see if you know the real meaning of your favourite car or not. Here is the list of few popular cars in India with the meaning of their name.

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo has always been one of the most popular cars among enthusiasts. It is the benchmark for the hatchback segment in terms of build quality and driving dynamics. Polo made its Indian Debut in 2009 and quickly made Indian customers realise that why german cars are praised across the globe. But how many of you know the real meaning of Polo ?. No Polo doesn’t mean “Sport” here.

Many of Volkswagen’s most famous models are named after winds. The Golf refers to the Gulf Stream, Jetta is German for “jet stream,” Passat means “trade wind,” and similarly the Polo references Polar winds.

Skoda Octavia

Just like Polo its bigger cousin Skoda Octavia is also considered one of the most popular cars among Indians. In India, Octavia was launched in 2002 and was an instant hit with its powerful engines and solid build quality. The 2021 Octavia is powered by Volkswagen’s 190hp, 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It is also known for its performance-oriented version in India, The Octavia vRS 245.

Octavia is a Latin girl’s name and basically translate as “eighth”(In Numeric – 8). According to Skoda, the company chose the name for the 1959 Octavia as it was the company’s eighth model after World War II.

Tata Harrier

Tata Harrier is one of the most successful SUVs in the Tata Motors Lineup. Based on the Land Rover D8 platform, Harrier is powered by a fiat sourced 2.0 Litre. Multijet II four-cylinder turbo diesel engine delivering 167 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. Although the name “Harrier” has many meanings but here Tata Named Harrier after a powerful bird of prey.

Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, or birds. They are distinctive with long wings, a long narrow tail, a slow and low flight over grasslands, and skull peculiarities.

Skoda Kushaq

Available in three variants, Kushaq is the first SUV launched under the banner of the India 2.0 project of Skoda AUTO Volkswagen India, where cars from the Volkswagen Group will be heavily localized in India. This compact SUV from Skoda is best known for the same core standards for safety, quality, and design that the Volkswagen Group represents worldwide.

The naming nomenclature of the ŠKODA KUSHAQ derives its origin from Sanskrit, and the word ‘KUSHAK’ denotes KING or EMPEROR. Thus the KUSHAQ personifies its moniker and reflects upon its 125 years of history and heritage.

Kia Seltos

Seltos was the first car ever manufactured for Indian markets by South Korean carmaker Kia Motors. It is a subcompact crossover SUV that is best known for its looks and features. Kia Seltos is powered by a 1.5L petrol and a 1.5L diesel engine. Drivers can choose between an automatic and a manual transmission. A sportier version of Seltos comes with a 1.4L turbo-petrol engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. 

Seltos name is inspired by Greek mythology and the legend of Celtos, the son of Hercules. The story has it that Hercules had a son with Celtine, a daughter of a Celtic King, Bretannos, and named him Celtos, who was the forefather of the Celts. While representing the brave and assertive spirit of Celtos, the ‘S’ in the vehicle’s adapted name implies speed and sportiness.

Tata Altroz

Tata Altroz is the only car in the Indian hatchback segment which scored a 5-star safety rating in the Global NCAP crash test.Altroz’s engine line-up comprises two petrol and one diesel option. The base petrol will be the Tiago’s 85hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated motor but, like the Tigor, it will see the addition of a balancer shaft to smoothen out the vibrations that are typical of a three-cylinder motor. Higher variants of the Altroz will get the Nexon’s 1.2 turbo-petrol and 1.5 diesel, but with lower power and torque outputs.

Altroz is a name inspired by the magnificent albatross, an agile seabird. Albatrosses are the most efficient travellers of all vertebrates on the planet. They expend very little energy soaring hundreds of miles over the ocean each day using dynamic soaring and slope soaring.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is a mid-size sedan produced since 2014. The Ciaz replaced the SX4 sedan which was marketed in the country simply as the Maruti Suzuki SX4. Ciaz is best known for its roomy and comfortable cabin among Indian buyers. The Ciaz’s 105hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and responsive and also offers you better fuel efficiency. Its prices start from Rs. 8.32 lakh (ex-showroom) and it rivals the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Skoda Rapid, and Volkswagen Vento in the segment.

According to Suzuki Philippines product development supervisor Kennedy Adia, the name “Ciaz” was derived from “City, from A to Z.” That’s like saying the Ciaz is the more complete, more extensive version of the Honda City which is considered as the toughest rival of Ciaz in India.

Ford Figo

Ford Figo is one of the most underrated cars in India. Figo was first unveiled in India in September 2009. It is based on the small-car platform used for the Ford Fiesta and resembles the mark 5 Fiesta but with revised front and rear treatments. Figo is best known among Indian car enthusiasts for its agility and responsive steering feedback. Available in petrol and diesel engine, a few days earlier, the Figo automatic has been reintroduced in India, with prices starting from Rs 7.75 lakh for the Titanium trim, going up to Rs 8.20 lakh for the Titanium+ trim, ex-showroom.

This entry-level hatchback from Ford was named “Figo” after the informal expression in Italian, meaning “Cool”.figo (or fico in some regions of Italy) is used by the younger generation, it denotes a person or thing that is considered attractive, interesting, fashionable or popular.