Chinkara Motors

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Chinkara Motors is a Mumbai-based auto manufacturer, which makes a 2 seat sports car called the Chinkara Roadster 1.8S, and the Jeepster, a classic 1940s Jeep look-alike. The cars have been developed indigenously by a husband-wife team at Alibhag near Mumbai, India.

There have been consumer concerns about the long delivery period and the fact that the engines might be second hand.

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[edit] Vehicle lineup

[edit] Roadster 1.8S

The Chinkara Roadster is a generic pastiche of a Lotus 7, albeit manufactured out of locally made components, and can be easily repaired by any roadside mechanic in India. While this allows the car to be reasonably advanced, it allows the use of intermediate technology to compete with a western equivalent that may be more advanced. For example, news articles on the car say it uses McPherson struts front and rear taken from from a Maruti Alto. The Chinkara Roadster is the only roadster currently (2007) available on the Indian market. The only other convertible currently on the Indian market is the San Storm from San Motors.

The Chinkara is a very amusing project; a brilliant and unique concept that suffered from compromised implementation. It is very similar to the San Storm in many ways; both are lifestyle machines with average performance, below average build quality and a high price tag. Positioned as an enthusiast’s sports machine, the Chinkara certainly looks like a sports car (and very much like the Caterham). It has imposing presence with the long bonnet, open wheels and low height. It looks fast even while it is standing still and our reviewers admitted to buying the Chinkara on looks alone! The car is built off a cocktail of parts from various Indian cars, including the Maruti 800 and the now defunct Standard Herald. Owners were disappointed with the build quality that is not even comparable to the Hindustan Ambassador, leave aside most modern cars. Part of the reason could be the Chinkara’s relative simplicity, basic enough to not even warrant a proper dashboard. The reports suggest that the seats are very comfortable while the open-top experience is one of the few saving graces of driving a Chinkara.

Powered by the transplant-favorite Isuzu 1.8 liter petrol engine, it is available in several states of tune. The rear-wheel drive platform gives it good launch traction and the car clocks in a quick 0 – 100 time. However, Chinkara owners found it hardly inspiring to drive. The basic Maruti 800 suspension at the front and a multi-sourced crude rear suspension take any intended agility out of this package. The steering is dead, the handling is average and the braking is inexistent. The ride quality is harsh and you will do well by restricting the Chinkara to local runabouts. All in all, this is a car that had promise but failed to deliver it.


  • Price: INR 740,000 (excluding taxes)
  • Engine: In-line, 4 cylinder, 1816cc (Petrol), 116PS @ 5000rpm, 135Nm @ 3000rpm
  • Transmission: Five-speed Manual
  • Brakes: Ventilated disc (front and rear)
  • Tyres: Front - 205/50 R16, Rear - 225/50 R15 Goodyear F1 tubeless
  • Performance: 6.7sec 0-100km/h, 187km/h, 13kmpl (all figures claimed)
  • Length: 3560mm
  • Width: 1760mm
  • Height: 1280mm
  • Weight: 745kg

[edit] Jeepster

The Jeepster is an off-road vehicle similar to the classic Willys Jeep.

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

To read details about the Chinkara, go to the Business Standard Motoring page and search for Chinkara.

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