DC Avanti came to the Indian automotive market as an ambitious icon, the first Indian-made supercar. It was launched in 2012, and shocked the fans about its Lamborghini inspired body, its low-squat stance, and its turbocharged power, at a price significantly lower than the world exotics. The DC Avanti, despite being terminated in 2016 after only 127 units, is still a cult icon, and has been hailed as an alternative to conventions in the supercar category, and as evidence that India could dream big in four wheels. In this article the complete information about DC Avanti will be discussed in detail.
DC Design Company Overview
DC Design was established in 1993 by automotive designer, Dilip Chhabria. DC Design Headquartered in Pune, DC Design has been associated with automotive customization, concept cars and bespoke coachbuilding in India. Chhabria first entered the world of design as an alumnous of the Art Center College of Design in California where he started by altering a Maruti Gypsy; a venture that immediately attracted attention due to its radical and unusual design. There are prototypes and design studies of DC Design over the years worked with OEM manufacturers including Mahindra, REVA and Tata Motors as well as global projects.
Among its most popular overseas point of emphasis was customisation of an Aston Martin DB9 which was used in a James Bond movie advertising. The halo product of the company was the DC Avanti which was manufactured between 2012 and 2016. Nonetheless, the scandals of financial anomalies and imprisonment of Dilip Chhabria in 2022 had a devastating effect on the activities of this brand. Since that time there has been no further production of Avanti and the company has turned their attention to DC2 that has been a venture based on luxury interior and customization of automobiles to order.
| Aspect | Details |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Dilip Chara |
| Headquarters | Pune, India |
| Founder | Dilip Chhabria |
| Key Products | Custom cars, prototypes, DC Avanti |
| Total Builds | ~800 vehicles |
| Current Focus | DC2 luxury customization |
Why DC Avanti Was Discontinued
The first Indian supercar effort It was an ambitious homegrown supercar that would have Lamborghini-inspired looks at a previously unheard-of price of 35 lakh. Having been launched with tremendous hype, it could not maintain the momentum and was shelved in 2016 after only 127 units because of tougher post-2016 safety requirements, low sales, and low brand-trust. This was exacerbated by the fact that there were serious complaints of build quality, minimal servicing service, and a huge financing scheme resulting in the arrest of founder Dilip Chhabria in 2020, effectively stopping business. Scheduled resumptions, such as an electric Avanti, were cancelled, becoming a fiasco instead of a dream project in the history of Indian automobiles.
DC Avanti On Road Price
The On-Road Price of DC Avanti ex-showroom price of between ₹34.9 lakh and ₹40 lakh when last sold in 2010 of the standard model. Limited-run and special editions increased the prices to 44 lakh ex-showroom. The final on-road price with RTO charge, insurance, and road tax was about 39 lakh to 48 lakh, depending on the location. This price made the DC Avanti the cheapest supercar in the world at the time of its introduction, which was several crores less than the competitors across the world. The Avanti now lives in the used car market, selling between ₹20 lakh to ₹40 lakh depending on condition, mileage, and rarity since the car has been stopped.
City-Wise On-Road Prices (2016 Reference)
| City | On-Road Price (₹ Lakh) |
| Delhi | 39.4 – 48 |
| Mumbai | 40.4 – 49 |
| Bengaluru | 40.0 – 48 |
| Chennai | 41.1 – 50 |
| Hyderabad | 40.5 – 49 |
| Pune | 39.8 – 48 |
DC Avanti Second Hand
The cost of a used DC Avanti car is 16 lakh to 40 lakh in 2025 based on the condition of the car, its mileage, and variant. Normally, the price of low-mileage 2015-2016 cars ranges 35 lakh, particularly in the presence of confirmed service history. Limited availability increases the desire, although consumers need to take into account the scarcity of spare parts and specialized care. Authenticated listing can have short warranties, but the resale liquidity is niche.
| Condition | Estimated Price (₹ Lakh) |
| Excellent | 18–21 |
| Good | 15–17 |
| Fair | 12–14 |
DC Avanti Price in Delhi
The ex-showroom price of the DC Avanti in Delhi used to be between 34.17 and 40 lakh, equivalent to 39-48 lakh on-road. Premiums on Special Editions were 4 -6 lakh. New sales no longer exist, so by 2025, used, on-road equivalents will be around 3825 lakh, with a typical car, depending on condition and provenance.
| Component | Standard (₹) |
| Ex-Showroom | 34,17,000 |
| Road Tax | 3,41,700 |
| Insurance | 1,70,850 |
| On-Road Total | 39,42,801 |
DC Avanti All Models
The DC Avanti model consisted of two base models: the 2.0L Base and the 310 Special Edition. They both shared an engine of 1998cc turbo-petrol, rear-wheel drive and coupe body. Production ceased in 2016 when the final 127 units were made, all of which made all Avanti rare. The base was focused on accessibility and Special on performance and exclusivity.
| Model | Power | Ex-Showroom (₹ Lakh) | Key Notes |
| Avanti 2.0L (Base) | 250 PS | 34.9–48 | Standard features |
| Avanti 310 Special | 310 PS | 40–60 | 31 units, DCT |
DC Avanti Top Model
The halo model is the Avanti 310 Special Edition that made 310 bhp at 5500 rpm and 340 Nm of torque. With a base model acceleration 0-100km/h taking approximately 7.5 seconds, it accelerates 0-100km/h in about 5.2 seconds, which is significantly faster. Premium upgrades consist of a dual-clutch transmission, superior aerodynamics and special badging. It is the rarest Avanti with collectors wanting it in 31 only.
Design, Exterior, Dimensions and Capacity
Agility is optimized by 4565mm length, 19652120mm width, 1200mm height, 2700mm wheelbase, 60L fuel tank, 170mm clearance, and 1055-1562kg kerb weight. Avanti had a low-slung coupe body that was inspired by Italian supercars and thus had dramatic road presence. A broad stance, high LED DRLs and cut panels were high on performance styling. Nevertheless, the sporty design was customized to the Indian roads in terms of ground clearance. Standard alloy wheels and custom paint added to.
| Element | Details |
| Body Type | 2-door fastback coupe |
| Length | 4565 mm |
| Width | 2120 mm |
| Height | 1200 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170 mm |
| Wheels | 20-inch alloys |
DC Avanti Interior and Comfort
The Avanti was a strict two seater with driver oriented design. Leather seatage and standard infotainment were available, but there was little practicality. There was sufficient comfort to make the car a niche sports car. The quality of the feedback of the build quality differed among the owners.
| Feature | Availability |
| Seating | 2 seats |
| Upholstery | Leather |
| Infotainment | Touchscreen, Bluetooth |
| Climate Control | Manual AC |
| Audio | 6 speakers |
Top Speed, Performance
The best thing about the Avanti was the performance. It might take approximately 6 seconds to speed up to 0100km/h. The stiff suspension and rear-wheel-drive design gave the car sharp handling. Stability was best achieved when it was on highways at high speeds. The standard DC Avanti provides the electronically limited top speed of 200250 km/h, a combination that provides a balance between performance and stability on the Indian roads. The 310 Special Edition, which acts as the range-topper, takes the limit even higher with claimed 280km/htop speed, supported by an aerodynamic enhancing feature.
| Parameter | Figure |
| 0–100 km/h | ~6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h (280 km/h Special) |
| Suspension | Double wishbone |
| Brakes | Disc (all wheels) |
DC Avanti Engine Specifications
A 2.0L petrol turbocharged engine (supplied by Renault) was used in the DC Avanti. The power was directed to the back wheels thus making the driving experience interesting. The Special Edition had a higher output with better performance. There were manual and restricted DCT gearboxes.
| Specification | Standard | 310 Special |
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo Petrol | 2.0L Turbo Petrol |
| Power | 250 PS | 310 PS |
| Torque | 340 Nm | 340 Nm |
| Transmission | 6MT | 6-speed DCT |
| Drive | RWD | RWD |
DC Avanti Mileage and Efficiency
The fuel economy was average which was expected of a turbocharged sports car. There was low city mileage and slight improvement in highway efficiency. Optimum performance was advised to use premium fuel. The consumption was somewhat controlled as a result of lightweight construction.
| Condition | Mileage |
| ARAI | ~10 kmpl |
| City | 6–8 kmpl |
| Highway | 8–10 kmpl |
DC Avanti Safety Ratings
Global NCAP never tested DC Avanti. It also provided ABS, ESP and traction control as a standard. Not all variants had airbags and this was a significant disadvantage. The safety standards have become obsolete in the modern standards.
| Safety Feature | Status |
| ABS | Yes |
| ESP | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes |
| Airbags | Limited |
| NCAP | Not tested |
Pros and Cons – DC Avanti
| Pros | Cons |
| Exotic supercar styling inspired by Lamborghini | Production discontinued since 2016 |
| Strong turbocharged performance | Limited spare parts availability |
| India’s first homegrown supercar | Small and specialized service network |
| Rare and collectible (only 127 units built) | Dated safety features by modern standards |
| Relatively affordable supercar ownership | High maintenance and resale challenges |
DC Avanti Competitors
| Model | Segment / Type | Price (Used, ₹ Lakh) | Power (PS) | 0–100 km/h (sec) | Top Speed (km/h) | Why Compare / Key Context |
| DC Avanti (Base) | Homegrown supercar | 16–40 | 250 | ~7.1 | ~200 | India’s first supercar; exotic looks at lowest entry cost |
| DC Avanti 310 Special | Limited-edition supercar | 25–50 | 310 | ~5.2 | ~280 | Only 31 units; fastest and most collectible Avanti |
| Porsche Cayman | Premium sports coupe | 40–80 | 265–385 | 4.9–5.7 | 260–300 | Benchmark RWD handling; superior refinement |
| BMW Z4 | Performance roadster | 30–60 | 340 | ~4.5 | 250 | Faster, modern tech, but lacks supercar drama |
| Mini Cooper S | Sporty hatchback | 25–45 | 178–204 | ~6.5 | 235 | Fun daily driver, not a true supercar |
| Fiat Abarth 595 | Pocket rocket | ~30 | 180 | ~6.7 | 225 | Raw performance, but compact and less exclusive |
| Lamborghini Huracán | Exotic supercar | 200–250 | 571 | ~3.2 | 325 | 10× the price; brand and V10 dominance |
| Ferrari 458 | Exotic supercar | 150–300 | 570 | ~3.4 | 325 | Iconic Ferrari V8; vastly higher ownership cost |
| Porsche Macan | Performance SUV | 50–90 | 245–440 | 4.5–6.5 | 232–272 | Sporty SUV, but lacks coupe dynamics |
| Toyota Fortuner | Full-size SUV | 33–51 | 166 | ~10 | 180 | Price overlap only; not a performance rival |
Conclusion
DC Avanti itself is a landmark in the history of Indian automobile industry since the country was the first to have a true homegrown supercar. Indian designers have demonstrated that a bold, performance oriented sports car, with a global interest, can be done, limited production, quality issues and discontinuation notwithstanding. Its eye-catching design, turbocharged performance and exclusivity has remained popular among used-car buyers. As of today,It is more of the ambition and innovation rather than a commercial success.
FAQs
No, the production of DC Avanti was stopped in 2016, and there are no newly made units.
The approximate 127 units of the car were sold throughout the whole time of production.
The car is equipped with a 2.0, litre turbocharged petrol engine from Renault.
It is possible to turn the car into a good collectors or enthusiasts car, but the maintenance and the parts availability can be problematic.
DC Avanti is the first supercar of India that was designed and manufactured locally.
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