Dilip Chhabria’s DC Design unveiled an all-new sports car concept at the Auto Expo, called the DC Avanti. According to the designer, the Avanti is India’s first-ever sports car. This is DC Design’s first attempt at doing a full production run of a car designed by them. The Avanti was built at DC Design’s workshop at Pune.

The car is powered by a Ford EcoBoost 2.0-litre 4-cylinder motor. This VVT (variable valve timing)-equipped engine develops 240bhp at 5500rpm and 37.3kgm of torque at 3500rpm. Its engine is also Euro V-compliant and with minor tweaks can also become Euro VI-compliant. The standard transmission choice is a six-speed manual unit, with a six-speed automatic on offer as an option.

Initially, in 2013-14, there will be a production run of about 300 units. Bookings will start in February 2012 with deliveries starting late 2013. The Avanti will be priced at around Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom).