Autocar Track Day: best driver’s cars from 2025 at the CoASTT circuit

Last year, after a successful and exciting inaugural Autocar Track Day at the new CoASTT racetrack in Coimbatore, expectations for 2025 were sky-high. The line-up might not have as many low-slung cars as last year, but a track day is always fun. This year, front of the row were a full-fledged F3 racer and the new Porsche 911 Carrera. Sedans comprised the 727hp BMW M5, the V8-powered Porsche Panamera GTS and Audi’s S5 and RS 5.

Sure, these cars are fast and loud, but in terms of sheer excitement and engagement, mass-market cars with manual transmissions are a whole lot of fun, too. We had the Altroz Racer, Tata’s rival to the Hyundai i20 N Line from last year, and the new Swift with the 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine. Then, there was a hot 204hp Mini Cooper S with the JCW (John Cooper Works) package. Flying the flag for SUVs was the Porsche Cayenne, also in GTS guise with the same V8 as the Panamera.

A VBox was used to accurately measures each car's lap times.

The green number plate club featured the new Mahindra BE 6 that’s sharp and radical to look at but needs to match the show with the go, the 601hp BMW i5 M60 that’s essentially an electric M5, and the new 639hp all-electric Porsche Macan Turbo. They may not make a lot of sound, but they sure can give the rest a run for their money.

As Narain geared up and got ready to put the new lot through the paces, the cars had to be prepped for the best lap. The vital tyre-pressure check, attaching some trusty timing gear and, of course, a few cameras for a front-row seat to watch Narain tame the line-up.

Tyre pressures were checked on all cars before heading out on track.

Since CoASTT is Narain’s home track, there weren’t any sighting laps for him. He could get in and go for the kill.

Tata Altroz Racer

Lap time: 2min 18.08sec, Top Speed: 140.27kph

Track rating – 4/10

The Tata Altroz Racer is Tata’s answer to the Hyundai i20 N Line. What gives the Racer a bit of an advantage is the fact that it has been tested at the CoASTT during production. Clearly, expectations were high. However, its lap time made it the slowest car around the CoASTT, not just this year but even compared to the 2024 line-up. According to Narain, the stability control kept interrupting, and there was no way of turning it completely off, making it difficult to put the power down. What also restricted grip in the corners were the MRF Ecotred tyres, which are tuned for better low-rolling resistance. So, while the chassis is well sorted and the car is good dynamically, the electronics and grip were the main culprits.

Narain’s remarks: It has a very good chassis but is let down by electronic interruption and lack of tyre grip.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Lap Time: 2min 17.41sec, Top Speed: 131kph

Track rating - 6/10

The Maruti Swift, in its latest generation, gets a new 82hp, 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Swift has dropped a cylinder, but it still manages to handle like you’d want a Swift to. At 2 minutes and 17.41 seconds, it pipped the Altroz Racer mainly due to the handling and chassis, which feel sporty and allowed Narain to push into the slow-speed corners. The body roll was well-contained, the grip levels were good, and the balance was on point as well. However, it lost points in the power department. On the straights, the engine yearns for more grunt, and even with the right foot mashed to the floor, there isn’t much progress. If there had been more power and torque, it would have been much faster.

Narain’s remarks: Needs power on the straights, but handling is its strong suit.

Mahindra BE 6

Lap Time: 2min 12.51sec, Top Speed: 157.13kph

Track rating – 4/10

It’s tIme now for Mahindra’s newest EV, the BE 6, which screams performance even while standing still. It looks wild with all its sharp edges and unconventional details, but can it match the show with the go? With 286hp and 380Nm available, there was a lot of promise. However, electronic aids babysitting throughout meant that Narain couldn’t utilise the full potential, and the car’s overall weight didn’t help either. It clocked in a time slower than the less powerful Skoda Kylaq. What Narain did appreciate, apart from the futuristic design, was that you could get it to misbehave and drift thanks to the instant torque. So, while it isn’t quick around a racetrack as a fun tool to hoon around, it is plenty of fun.

Narain’s remarks: It’s difficult to make it stick, but it’s tail-happy and can be good fun if lap times are not a priority.

Skoda Kylaq

Lap Time: 2min 11.15sec, Top Speed: 142.82kph

Track rating – 6/10

After the Swift, it was one of the newest cars on the market – the Skoda Kylaq – that did well with its dynamics. The compact SUV has a 115hp, 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. There was scepticism since it has an SUV form factor, but with the time it clocked, it was quicker than the Mahindra BE 6 and two seconds quicker than the Maruti Fronx Turbo from last year. Narain liked the overall packaging, the responsive engine and how stable it felt in corners. The body roll was impressively low, and the balance was good. The numbers through the straights weren’t the best, and the top speed was decent at most. However, through tight turns 10 and 13, its speed was more than some high-end cars, and that’s where it made up a good time.

Narain’s remarks: The Kylaq handles very well for its shape and size; its responsive engine is an added bonus.

Mini Cooper S JCW Pack

Lap Time: 2min 05.20sec, Top Speed: 162.82kph

Track rating – 6/10

The proper hot hatch, the Mini Cooper S, with a JCW pack. The Cooper S gets a 204hp, 2.0-litre engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, and the JCW pack also adds in paddle shifters for better control. You’d expect a hot Mini to be excellent out on the track, but the Cooper S seemed to struggle for grip from the Maxxis tyres and with constant interruption from the electronics. Upgrading the tyres will make it a lot better, but as a track car, the Mini lacks power, especially at CoASTT, which has plenty of high-speed zones that  require power and speed.  The stiff suspension does  help in keeping it flat in the hairpins, but on the long straights, it loses time.

Narain’s remarks: With the suspension keeping it flat in corners, the Mini could use more power and better tyres.

BMW i5 M60

Lap Time: 2min 03.92sec, Top Speed: 181.98kph

Track rating – 6/10

Representing electric sedans was the BMW i5 in its aggressive M60 guise. With 601hp and over 800Nm, it has the power figures to play with the big boys, but the weight is what pulls it down, along with a soft suspension setup. And that is what affected lap times the most. Having strong power figures but clocking in almost the same time as the Kia EV6 from last year, which had half the power, is not good news. Narain felt it was out of place on the track because of the over-reliance on electronics and the comfort-oriented suspension. Sure, it can hit high speeds on straights, but keeping it together in corners requires a lot more effort.

Narain’s remarks: Fast on the straights but feels out of place on a racetrack with its soft suspension.

Audi S5

Lap Time: 1min 59.81sec, Top Speed: 177.42kph

Track rating – 7/10

With a creamy twin-turbocharged V6 engine that puts out 354hp and Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive to help it through corners, the Audi S5 has potential here. The power delivery is linear and fast, but the chassis shows it can handle a lot more power. Through the rapid turn 5, the S5 was quicker in terms of entry speed than the more powerful BMW i5 M60, and every subsequent straight was super quick, too. For a relaxed sports cruiser, the Audi S5 sure was very impressive on track. You can’t play around as much as you would with an RWD car, but it’s still plenty fun. There is some body roll around the bends, but point-to-point acceleration is very impressive.

Narain’s remarks: Lots of grip allows cornering at high speeds. The engine is punchy and very smooth.

Porsche Cayenne GTS

Lap Time: 1min 56.84sec, Top Speed: 188.37kph

Track rating - 8/10

The Cayenne is one of the oldest names in performance SUVs. The version we had was the GTS, which meant a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 putting out 500hp via all four wheels, accompanied by a sweet soundtrack. A time of 1 minute and 56.84 seconds made it the fastest ICE-powered SUV around CoASTT, and Narain liked that while it was big, it was fun to drive. Once all the electronics are switched off, the Cayenne is playful for its size. The small downside would be the Nexen tyres that aren’t as grippy, and in the bends, they did induce understeer, but there’s plenty of poke on straights. The air suspension is comfy and soft in Comfort mode, but the Sport setup made it just the right amount of firm for the track.

 Narain’s remarks: Impressive around corners and masks its weight well. Good balance of comfort and performance.

BMW M5

Lap Time: 1min 55.39sec, Top Speed: 204.03kph

Track rating - 5/10

Replacing the i with the M, the new seventh-generation G90 M5 is a plug-in hybrid now with a 4.4-litre V8 and a battery pack under the floor. It puts out a combined output of 727hp and 1,000Nm – big numbers, but again, the weight of the battery, motor and V8 results in a portly kerb weight of nearly 2.5 tonnes. So, all that power has to deal with a lot of the car through corners. Unsurprisingly, then, it was slower than the Audi RS 5, which makes almost 300hp less, and was just a second faster than last year’s M340i with half the power. Narain was not impressed. What the M5 has going for it, though, is straight-line speed. It ripped through straights at over 200kph with no effort. So, as a straight-line hero, it is right up there.

Narain’s remarks: Not as characterful as older M5s but monstrously quick on straights.

Audi RS 5

Lap Time: 1min 54.74sec, Top Speed: 192.71kph

Track rating – 8/10

Compared to the S5, the RS 5’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 makes almost 100hp more – 450hp – and the suspension is a lot stiffer, too. Mechanical grip and strong brakes are where it excels. Everything is dialled up, and the result is a more hardcore and unhinged S5, which is 5 seconds faster! With bundles of grip, Narain could enter and exit corners at a lot more speed. However, the RS 5 was also impressive in braking, with a strong bite allowing Narain to go deeper into corners and brake much later. A quick change of direction will get it sideways for a bit, but you’d need Narain’s levels of control to make that happen. Overall, it’s a stonking package, especially if you frequent the racetrack.

Narain’s remarks: Superb engine, excellent grip and perfect dynamics for the track. Loads of fun.

Porsche Macan Turbo EV 

Lap Time: 1min 54.29sec, Top Speed: 193.59kph

Track rating – 8/10

Carrying forward the EV flag was yet another SUV, but this one is stylistically soft around the corners, unlike the Mahindra BE 6. The new Macan Turbo is Porsche’s way of ensuring zero emissions and with zero compromises to what we’ve come to expect from the brand. Over 600hp and 1,130Nm of torque meant Narain had a big smile, especially on straights, where it simply flew. Surprisingly, it also beat the low-slung Audi e-tron GT from last year. Despite the AWD system inducing understeer, the shockingly fast straight-line speed and stability in corners were where it made up time. The compact dimensions are a plus, and Porsche has done its trick with the steering, which is sharp and, unlike that of an EV, offers good feedback, too.

Narain’s remarks: Despite being an electric SUV, it goes around corners and bends like a Porsche should.

Porsche Panamera GTS

Lap Time: 1m51.93s, Top Speed: 188.37kph

Track rating – 8/10

The Porsche Panamera GTS packs the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo engine as the Cayenne GTS with 500hp. However, the sedan form factor and the ability to be more aggressive saw a massive jump in performance. It clocked in a hugely impressive time, making it over 2 seconds quicker than the more powerful all-electric Macan Turbo and just 0.65 seconds behind the Taycan Turbo S from last year. What impressed Narain the most was the chassis and balance and how it managed its mass, especially around corners. The steering calibration is spot on, and the change of direction is impressive. Narain said if the safety nannies from the AWD could just back away a bit, it would make a big difference to the time.

Narain’s remarks: Surprisingly adept on the track despite its comfy and luxurious appeal.

Porsche 911 Carrera

Lap Time: 1min 48.80sec, Top Speed: 194.47kph

Track rating – 9/10

A car Narain was happy with before he even got inside was the new Porsche 911 Carrera. Porsches are his favourites, and that’s no surprise, but even this entry-level 911 with a 3.0-litre flat-6 engine putting out 394hp was just superb around the track. The lack of power was compensated by the grip and handling, and Narain could carry massive amounts of speed into corners with no loss in traction or grip. With the new gen, there is significantly less understeer than before, and the feel of the steering adds more confidence to the drive, allowing the driver to push harder. It was the fastest production car in this year’s line-up, and it did it without breaking a sweat in just one lap.

Narain’s remarks: Even in the most docile spec, the 911 owns the racetrack like it’s a backyard jog.

Formula 3

Lap time: 1min 27.57sec, Top Speed: 208.56kph

Track rating – 9/10

And now it’s time for something truly special. A Formula 3 weapon in the hands of a Formula 1 driver is nothing short of epic. We had Narain show us what a track day really should feel like with a single-seater that gets more downforce than anything out there. The F3 car has a bespoke Mercedes engine, putting out 240hp. It sounds less, but then so is the weight, at just 480kg! The lap? A mindboggling 1 minute and 27.57 seconds – a far cry from anything that has ever been around the CoASTT. Sadly, this experience is not for everyone, but just listening to a race engine on full pitch makes for a perfect curtain-drop moment on yet another exciting track day. Will there be anything that tops this? Well, never say never.

Autocar Track Day 2025 leader board

Narain’s remarks: The immediacy of power, lightweight characteristics and sheer grip are unmatchable.

CoASTT: One hot lap

Length: 3.80km, Minimum width: 12 metres

What does one lap around CoASTT look like? Here’s Narain taking us around. The lap starts with a short downhill start-finish straight, which allows you to pick up speed. “Through turn 1, you can take a couple of lines for that first right-hander,” he says, “and then, before you know it, you have to turn left into turn 2.” Next is a long curved uphill run, and in a fast car, you can really feel the g-forces build on the 650-metre near-flat-out section – turns 3 and 4. “Braking accurately at turn 5 on the top is a challenge, and the tightening double-apex turn 6 is tricky.” Turn 7 is a left, and then you run to the bottom and climb up again, going right and uphill at turn 8. This section dips and rises like a mini Eau Rouge from Spa Francorchamps; only here, you have to brake on the way up the hill for a pair of 90 lefts – 9 and 10 – that follow in quick succession. Further up, you need to be neat and tidy into 11 so you can carry good speed into turn 12 (right and left) and then downhill again into turn 13, a slow corner that leads to another 400-metre straight. Turn 14 is a mildly banked 180-degree double-apex left that leads to the start-finish straight, where it is difficult to pick an ideal line.

Behind the scenes

With EVs, refuelling has a different meaning now.

To ensure there is no room for error in Narain’s lap time, the setup of the cars has to be on point. A single mistake with the VBOX, tyre pressures, or even the charge in the battery could destroy a lap. With EVs and plug-in hybrids, the challenge isn’t just about finding high-octane fuel but also high-power outputs, as Gavin found out while untangling the cable for the all-electric Macan Turbo.

Rahul eager to see each car’s times.

But getting the data is one thing, and extracting it to find no errors is a celebration for Rahul. Drones are a common sight, but if you’re running out of time and good light, a really high ladder will get you that perfect group shot. Of course, the best motivation on a hot day on track is having lunch in the shade, especially if it’s followed by a shoulder massage, says Dinshaw.

Nothing works without the right fuel.