India's Super Car: Exploring the Rise of Made-in-India Hypercars

Picture this: you're at a red light in Mumbai, a soft hum turns into a fierce growl, and a car flashes by looking nothing like the Marutis or Hyundais you grew up seeing. It’s low, fierce, and dripping with something nobody expected—Indian pride. Just ten years ago, the idea of a homegrown Indian supercar would have sounded like a wild bet at the local chai stand. But today? India’s thrown its hat in the ring, squaring up with the best from Italy and Germany. Let’s break down exactly what this means, trace the roots, and meet the machines—and minds—breaking all the old stereotypes about Indian cars.

When Did India Enter the Supercar Game?

If we’re talking about everyday cars, India’s got plenty of history—Ambassador, Tata, Mahindra, and now a sea of SUVs. But ask about the supercar scene, and most folks will blink. Yet, something major flipped around 2018, when a small Mumbai-based start-up, Vazirani Automotive, announced the Shul (yep, that’s pronounced 'shool'). This was big—it wasn’t just a fast car, it was a bold statement: India could dream beyond cheap and practical and reach for Ferrari-level performance. The Shul isn’t an ordinary sports car—it’s an all-electric hypercar with a turbine-electric hybrid setup, a 0-100 km/h sprint in under 3 seconds, and a look straight out of a sci-fi movie. Suddenly, serious car nerds everywhere started paying attention.

Back then, the Indian auto world was set in its ways—strict regulations, budget-first buyers, and a giant challenge: no homegrown luxury performance car had ever made waves. Most so-called 'Indian supercars' were just tuned-up foreign models or dreams on paper. But that changed dramatically with Vazirani Shul making its debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed—the kind of place you usually only find McLarens and Lamborghinis. You could almost feel the collective gasps when the crowd learned this machine was designed and engineered in Mumbai.

Here’s something wild: those building the car weren’t just wide-eyed rookies. Lead engineer Chunky Vazirani had put in years at companies like Rolls-Royce and Jaguar, bringing back real experience from the heart of the global auto world. According to AutoCar India, 'The Shul represents the fusion of Indian artistry with world-class automotive technology.' Chunky's quote from a 2023 interview sums it up:

"We set out to make something that Indian kids could dream about—something that breaks limits, not just in performance but in the way people see our country."

You might be wondering, why did it take till the 21st century for India to get into the game? Well, building supercars is tough—even for countries with decades of know-how. The challenges? Everything from limited R&D infrastructure, high import taxes on critical parts, to the simple cultural bias: most Indian buyers wanted practical rides. Supercars were dismissed as toys for rich folks in other countries. That’s slowly but surely changing, and not just because the economy’s bigger. There’s a mindset shift—one where Indian engineers, investors, and dreamers want to prove they can play in the elite league, too.

The Machines and Vision Behind Indian Supercars

If you’re a gearhead, what you want to know is what makes an Indian supercar special. Is it as good as a Ferrari or Bugatti? Can it actually carve out a spot on global circuits? The numbers from the Vazirani Shul are no joke—a 1,000-horsepower+ setup, carbon fibre chassis, and, most interestingly, a focus on sustainability. Instead of guzzling gas, the Shul relies on a jet-inspired microturbine generator to charge its batteries, promising wild acceleration and a whiff of eco-friendliness. It’s not just about top speed—it’s about pioneering new ways to go fast, with minimal footprint.

Let’s look at a quick side-by-side comparison table, shared by Team-BHP, on how the Vazirani Shul stacks up:

That’s not bad at all for India’s first time at bat. The thing to remember: while Italian and French supercars have a century of legacy, the Indian approach is fresher, still finding its voice, and hungry for innovation. Beyond Shul, other names like DC Avanti have popped up, but those tend to sit more in the sports car bracket than true supercars. The DC Avanti, first launched in 2015 with a Renault-sourced 250 HP engine, is a cool effort, but doesn’t really threaten the European giants. Still, seeing Indian engineers pursue these dreams, even if on a shoestring budget compared to the Western giants, is inspiring—kind of like watching a cricket underdog topple a seasoned champion.

What’s driving (pun intended) this movement? Easy: Indian designers are tired of the idea that 'Indian products = cheap and last-resort.' Instead, the new mantra is, why not make something that can stand alongside the Lambos and Koenigseggs? The challenge remains—a supercar needs to be more than fast; it needs world-class handling, tech, and that hard-to-define wow factor. Vazirani, for example, works closely with international suppliers for parts that just aren’t made in India yet, but their goal, over the next decade, is to develop and manufacture more locally.

There’s also a quiet revolution in the Indian auto tech talent pool. The kids dreaming of NFS and Gran Turismo are now grown up and putting their imaginations to work. Schools like IIT and private engineering hubs are creating partnerships with carmakers. And here’s something you probably didn’t know: more Indian engineers work on major global car platforms (at companies like Tata’s Jaguar-Land Rover or tech providers like Bosch India) than ever before. That skill is now finding its way home—fuelled by pride, ambition, and a splash of stubbornness.

What’s Next for India’s Supercar Scene?

So what’s going to happen next? If history is anything to go by, the trend is only getting warmer. India’s growing number of millionaires want more than another Mercedes—they want something unmistakably Indian, edgy, and rare. The government’s also quietly supporting innovation with new EV policies, tax breaks for R&D, and grants for tech-forward manufacturing. But the big win isn’t just selling a few hundred cars to collectors—it’s in reshaping how the world sees Indian automotive genius.

One cool thing to watch is how Indian designers are putting a fresh spin on supercar identity. Instead of endless chrome and brute force V12s, you see a blend of cutting-edge tech and cultural flair—Indian motifs, subtle touches that nod to heritage, but through a world-class lens. When I asked a friend who works at Tata Motors if he thought Indians would ever be known for supercars, he laughed and said, 'Our grandfathers built trains, our dads made affordable cars—why shouldn’t we create rockets for the road?'

If you’re dreaming of owning one, there’s some good news and bad news. The good: homegrown supercars are coming, and they’re not shy about pushing boundaries. The bad: you’ll need a fat bank account—early estimates put prices of the Vazirani Shul north of 5 crore rupees ($600,000+). Plus, the waitlist is real. But there’s hope for trickle-down effect. Today’s supercar tech—lightweight materials, hybrid drivetrains, advanced aerodynamics—will eventually make its way to cars you and I can actually afford. Think safer, faster, more efficient rides to work, with a little of that supercar DNA sprinkled in.

And just for fun, did you know that the Shul’s name comes from the Sanskrit word for 'spear'? It’s a nod to both speed and the kind of confidence Indian engineering is putting front and centre. This isn’t about playing catch up anymore—it’s about reimagining what’s possible, using the best of local smarts and global influence.

Here’s a pro tip—if you spot one of these unicorns at a local auto show, ask loads of questions. The builders are proud, love talking shop, and often let you peek inside the cockpit. And, trust me, once you see the blend of carbon fiber, touchscreen controls, and that audacious jet turbine, you’ll realize: the world’s next big automotive story might just be written in Hindi, Tamil, or Marathi.

The India super car isn’t just hype. It’s a wake-up call to the rest of the world that India’s not content to just follow along anymore—it’s here to take the lead lap. Maybe it won’t be long before we see Indian names on F1 tracks or at Le Mans—and on posters in kids’ bedrooms everywhere. Bruno, my dog, might still prefer his morning walks to the roar of engines, but hey, even he perks up when a Shul prototype zooms by. Guess some dreams really are contagious.

About author Aarav Tandon

I am a manufacturing engineer specializing in streamlining production processes and reducing waste. I have a keen interest in exploring the manufacturing landscape in India and often write about innovative practices in this sector. My work involves collaborating with a diverse team to optimize efficiency and implement sustainable practices. I enjoy sharing insights and stories from the field with a wider audience through my writing.