Autocar Track Day: best driver’s cars of 2026 at the CoASTT circuit

It’s a brutally hot day in Coimbatore – and it’s only set to get hotter. We’re back at our favourite playground, CoASTT, with a line-up of some of the year’s most exciting cars. The plan, as ever, is simple. Narain Karthikeyan drives the wheels off each car. Everything is recorded.

With his deep familiarity of the track, Narain extracts the absolute maximum from every car. But conditions aren’t making it easy. Track temperatures soar past 60 degrees, punishing tyres, brakes and the crew alike. There’s a key update this year too – the addition of kerbs – helping define lines better and, in places, unlocking higher cornering speeds.

It’s an eclectic mix of contenders as well. We have a family hatchback, a beginner race car, compact SUVs, coupés with very different briefs, an EV, a hybrid sports car, a limousine that wants to be driven hard, and an SUV that thinks it’s a supercar. Welcome to Track Day 2026.

Citroen C3 X and Levitas Cup Ignis

Our first pairing of the day isn’t meant to be a straight fight. We’ve brought together the Citroën C3 X and the Levitas Cup Ignis. What we want to know is how quick a brisk, road-focused hatchback is versus one that’s been engineered purely for the track?

C3 X lap time: 2min 17.41sec, top speed: 136.32kph

Track rating - 6/10

Starting with the Citroën C3, a car we’ve always liked for its strong 1.2 turbo-petrol engine. In automatic gearbox form, as we have here, it’s smooth and usable, but CoASTT quickly highlights its limitations. A 2m17.41s lap time is respectable pace for a fun hatch, but not much more. For comparison, the timing is identical – down to the hundredth – to the Maruti Suzuki Swift from last year, and better than the Tata Altroz Racer (2m18.08s), also a 2025 attendee. However, there’s quite a wide gap to the Hyundai i20 N Line (2m13.33s) on the leaderboard.

As Narain explains, “The Citroën C3 X offers good drivability for everyday use. However, it is not suited for track driving. The automatic transmission is slow to respond, the tyres are high-profile, and the car exhibits significant body roll.” You can see that in the data too – lower corner speeds and a clear deficit in the splits compared to anything more focused.

Levitas Cup Ignis lap time: 2min 04.99sec, top speed: 136.465kph

Track rating - 9/10

The Levitas Cup Maruti Suzuki Ignis, however, operates in a completely different league. Stripped to 800kg, running coilovers and JK semi-slick tyres, it’s built with one purpose. The result is a hugely impressive 2m04.99s lap – over 12 seconds quicker than the Citroën – despite having similar top speed.

It’s the way the Cup Car carries speed in corners that stands out. The grippy little Ignis remarkably registers the highest apex speeds through T2, T10 and T13, and it’s a crazy sight to see Narain make it dance.

As Narain puts it, “The car typically operates in third and fourth gears on track. Despite its simplicity, its lap times are only around 3 to 4 seconds slower than more heavily modified race cars, making it a highly effective training platform.”

Forget the Citroën, because the 92hp Levitas Cup Ignis’ time is quicker than the 204hp Mini Cooper S JCW (2m05.20s) from 2025. Power-to-weight for the win.  

Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO

The Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO are the most fun-to-drive compact SUVs on sale today, and CoASTT is where their dynamics get put under the ultimate microscope. On paper, the Mahindra XUV 3XO looks stronger. 

The Mahindra’s 1.2-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol makes 131hp and 230Nm, comfortably ahead of the 115hp and 178Nm from the Kylaq’s 1.0-litre engine. Both run 6-speed automatics. On track, though, the story shifts quickly.

Kylaq lap time: 2min 11.54sec, top speed: 138.12kph

Track rating - 7/10

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The Kylaq AT clocks a 2m11.54s lap, nearly 8 seconds quicker than the XUV 3XO’s 2m19.58s – the slowest lap time we’ve seen yet at CoASTT. It’s also almost identical to last year’s Kylaq manual (2m11.15s), showing the automatic hasn’t taken away from the Skoda’s ability.

As Karthikeyan puts it, “The Skoda Kylaq is easy to drive and offers good handling characteristics. It feels planted and stable, even when pushed.” He also notes it “exhibits relatively minimal body roll for its class,” which helps it stay composed through direction changes.

There is a limitation. “The engine lacks top-end performance and struggles to achieve high speeds,” he points out. That’s evident on longer straights, but the Kylaq recovers time through corners.

XUV 3XO lap time: 2min 19.58sec, top speed: 132.66kph

Track rating - 6/10

The XUV 3XO doesn’t quite come together on track. “The Mahindra XUV 3XO focuses on comfort rather than performance,” says Narain. The softer setup brings more body movement on track. More importantly, “it feels underpowered and slow, with a delayed response that gives a rubber-band-like sensation.” Karthikeyan also finds the electronics intrusive on his hot lap.

Put simply, while the Mahindra has the numbers on the spec sheet, the Skoda makes better use of what it has.

Skoda Octavia RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI

Sporty sedan or hot hatch? Different body styles, same DNA. The Skoda Octavia RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI are effectively identical under the skin, with a common 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (265hp, 370Nm) and 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Yet around CoASTT, there are differences.

Octavia RS lap time: 2min 0.70sec, top speed: 168.35kph

Track rating - 8/10

The headline gap is clear. The Octavia RS laps in 2m00.70s, over a second quicker than the Golf GTI’s 2m01.92s. The difference isn’t in straight-line pace – both are closely matched, with the Skoda just edging ahead at 168.3kph – but in how each car approaches and exits corners.

The data reveals an interesting split. The Golf GTI is quicker at several apexes – notably T2 (87.83kph vs 85.58kph), T4, and later at T7 and T10 – pointing to strong mid-corner grip. The Golf GTI’s 75kg weight advantage sure comes into play, but the VW consistently loses time on entry and exit. The Octavia is more stable under braking and, crucially, gets on the power earlier and cleaner – especially at the T1 exit and T6 entry, where it carries nearly 8kph more. That’s where the differences start stacking up.

Golf GTI lap time: 2min 01.92sec, top speed: 166.237kph

Track rating - 9/10

As Karthikeyan explains, tyres are the defining factor. “The Octavia RS runs on Pirelli P Zero high-performance tyres, which provide significant grip. This allows for much higher cornering speeds and better overall performance.”

The GTI’s limitations stem from the same source. Our test car has come with Pirelli Cinturato all-season tyres, and this significantly affects performance. Karthikeyan remarks, “Overall, the car is very enjoyable to drive, but the tyres prevent it from showing its true potential on track. There is noticeable understeer, and with traction control off, considerable inner wheel spin, which further increases understeer.” On the same tyres, the GTI would have been the quicker of the two cars, Narain asserts. “Interestingly, the car is actually faster with traction control in Sport mode rather than completely off. With aggressive steering inputs, the rear can rotate slightly, adding to the fun factor.”

Maserati Grecale Modena

After the Skoda Octavia RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI, there was another 2.0-litre, turbo-charged, four-cylinder in the mix – just in a very different shape. The Maserati Grecale Modena marked Maserati’s first appearance at our Track Day. Its 330hp and 450Nm give it a strong baseline, and that shows in the numbers. A 2m02.33s lap, 165.2kph top speed and healthy cornering speeds – 122.88kph through T7 – point to a car that’s comfortable carrying pace.

Grecale Modena lap time: 2min 02.33sec, top speed: 165.283kph

Track rating - 6/10

Narain, however, isn’t so convinced: “The Maserati Grecale stands out in terms of design and has a premium interior. However, the driving experience is not particularly exciting, as the car is tuned more for city use and comfort. The suspension is on the softer side, reinforcing its focus as a lifestyle SUV rather than a performance-oriented one.”

The Grecale Trofeo, with its 530hp Nettuno V6, would likely have been a very different proposition altogether – and that Nettuno engine, in fact, was represented on track here by another Maserati.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 and Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo

Two six-cylinder cars, two very different briefs. The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 is the sportier take on a luxury coupé, while the Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo stays true to the GT formula – long-distance comfort with serious pace in reserve.

CLE 53 lap time: 2min 00.4sec, top speed: 181.274kph

Track rating - 7/10

Starting with the Mercedes, it uses a turbo-charged inline-six, making 449hp and 560Nm – numbers that place it close to the Audi RS5 Sportback we had last year. On track, however, the Merc records a 2m00.40s lap, which is not only well off the RS5 (1m54.74s), but a tad off last year’s S5 Sportback (1m59.81s) too. The spoiler here are the tyres – the car came to us with three Accelera PHI2s and one Michelin. A goof up that cost the CLE big.

As Narain explains, “The car’s performance on track was difficult to evaluate accurately due to the tyres it was running, which were not comparable to the high-performance tyres used by other cars.” And that’s a shame. On engine and performance, Narain added, “The inline-six engine delivers smooth and consistent power. However, it does not provide the aggressive character typically associated with AMG models, particularly those with V8 engines.”

GranTurismo Trofeo lap time: 1min 51.24sec, top speed: 195.34kph

Track rating - 7/10

The Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo, meanwhile, brings significantly more punch. Its twin-turbo V6 produces 550hp and 650Nm, and that translates into a much stronger showing – a 1m51.24s lap that puts it right up there with the more focused Porsche 911 GTS (1m50.55s). The Maserati’s 195.3kph top speed is higher than the Mercedes, though still short of the Porsche’s outright pace.

As Narain notes, “The powertrain is smooth, linear and punchy. The ride quality is excellent, and the car absorbs bumps very well, even on the track.” However, it’s not without its limitations. “The car’s length and weight are noticeable in corners, and there is some front-end weakness leading to understeer. Overall, it is not intended to be a track weapon but performs reasonably well.” 

Porsche Taycan Turbo and 911 GTS

Porsche versus Porsche. And a fundamental question – can an over-endowed EV match a proper sports car? The Porsche Taycan Turbo throws huge power and instant torque at the problem, while the Porsche 911 GTS blends hybrid tech into a classic performance template.

Taycan Turbo lap time: 1min 51.19sec, top speed: 204.098kph

Track rating - 7/10

On track, it’s incredibly close. The updated Taycan Turbo clocks a 1m51.19s lap, just about bettering the earlier 625hp (761hp on overboost) Porsche Taycan Turbo S’ 1m51.28s showing in 2024. With 707hp (884hp on overboost) and 890Nm, the Taycan Turbo hits 204.1kph and carries serious speed into sections like T6 (98.10kph), using its torque to full effect.

The 911 GTS breaks the silence and snarls its way around CoASTT just about edging past the Taycan. A 1m50.55s lap makes the 911 quicker.  To break it down, it’s more consistent over the run. It matches the Taycan’s straight-line pace (204.9kph) but feels more composed under braking and direction changes – areas where the Taycan’s 2.3-tonne weight starts to show.

As Narain explains, “The Taycan generates strong torque and performs well in straight-line acceleration. Despite its heavy weight, it manages to maintain decent cornering performance. However, the weight becomes a major issue under braking, leading to brake fade after a few laps. The significant weight increase, compared to internal combustion engine cars, makes it difficult to match them in sustained track performance.” Energy consumption is also high, dropping 10 percent charge in less than 8km of hard driving. 

911 GTS lap time: 1min 50.55sec, top speed: 204.96kph

Track rating - 9/10

The 911 GTS, meanwhile, “retains the classic 911 characteristics, including excellent steering feel and engaging driving dynamics. The all-wheel-drive system provides additional stability, and the car remains very easy to drive quickly, even for less experienced drivers. It delivers a highly satisfying driving experience and continues to feel like a true 911 despite the hybrid system.”

That said, the GTS itself throws up an interesting subplot. Despite its 541hp and hybrid boost, it’s actually 1.7 seconds slower than the 394hp Porsche 911 Carrera (from 2025), which set a 1m48.80s lap. We’d theorise the Carrera’s lighter weight – around 125kg less – and its rear-wheel-drive setup give it an edge in agility and braking. Track conditions and slightly worn tyres on the GTS could have a role to play too.

But fast as the Porsches are, neither of them is the fastest car of the day. That will surprise you.

Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance and Audi RS Q8 Performance

Who said the Germans don’t have a sense of humour? Here are two cars that were never meant to be about outright performance, now packing full-fat V8s and headline numbers. They’re also the only V8s here – and the biggest, heaviest machines in the field.

S 63 E Performance lap time: 1min 56.91sec, top speed: 191.992kph

Track rating - 6/10

The Mercedes-AMG S 63 e-Performance flips the S-Class brief on its head. A 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 paired with an electric motor delivers 802hp and 1,430Nm. On track, it manages a 1m56.91s lap. That puts it close to last year’s BMW M5 (1m55.39s), but still well off the sedan benchmark – Porsche’s Panamera GTS at 1m51.93s (2025). The Merc’s 191.9kph top speed underlines its straight-line strength, but in tighter sections, the weight shows.

As Narain says, “It is a large luxury sedan but delivers extremely high performance. Despite its size and weight, it handles surprisingly well on track and offers impressive speed. It can function both as a chauffeur-driven vehicle and a high-performance driver’s car.”

RS Q8 lap time: 1min 50.43sec, top speed: 187.03kph

Track rating - 8/10

The Audi RS Q8 Performance’s 640hp V8 is backed by all-wheel steer, active anti-roll bars and a rear sport differential – and it shows. The RS Q8 belies its size and weight, stays glued to the track and allows Narain to stay committed through the lap. The gains come through the lap. It carries far more speed into T6 (102.56kph vs the S 63’s 83.36kph) and builds a clear advantage in both splits.

The Audi crosses the finish line in 1m50.43s, over six seconds quicker than the S 63. The bigger news? It’s a hair’s breadth quicker than the 911 GTS too, topping this year’s time sheets! The run also makes the RS Q8 the fastest SUV at CoASTT. Incidentally, the manic Audi is also the current SUV lap record holder at MMRT and Kari Motor Speedway.

Narain sums it up: “The car remains flat through corners and has strong braking performance from its carbon-ceramic brakes. It handles in a very neutral manner, with minimal understeer, and the all-wheel-drive system allows the driver to rotate the car effectively when pushing hard. Compared to other performance SUVs such as those from Range Rover, it is significantly ahead in terms of track capability.”

CoASTT: One hot lap

A lap around CoASTT begins with a short start-finish straight that gently runs downhill, helping build speed early. Turn 1 is wide, allowing multiple lines through the opening right-hander, before a quick transition into Turn 2. Correct placement here is key for the long uphill run that follows. In fast cars, g-forces build through the 650-metre near-flat-out Turns 3 and 4. Braking precisely into Turn 5 at the crest is challenging, and the tightening double-apex Turn 6 demands control. Turn 7 leads downhill before climbing again into Turn 8, an uphill right. This section mimics a mini Eau Rouge, with dips and rises, but requires braking uphill for Turns 9 and 10. Clean exits through 11 and 12 set up Turn 13 and the final complex.