Indian carmaking giant, Tata Motors, will launch 4 new offerings in India this year after showcasing production ready versions of them at the recently concluded Auto Expo 2016. Consumers will be awaiting the arrival of a long list of cars promised to our country in 2016 from various manufacturers as most companies opted to showcase and unveil their models at the expo rather than launching them. A lot of those cars are slated to roll out onto Indian roads in the upcoming months including Tata's new additions which pan across 4 different segments. Here's a look at the models that Tata will bring to India in the upcoming months.
1. Tata Tiago
Tata is making a push to increase productivity in the compact end of the industry and will begin by launching the Tata Tiago hatchback. The car was initially unveiled to come bearing the name 'Zica' however in light of the trauma suffered by thousands due to the outbreak of the similarly named 'Zika' virus, the company decided to rename the Zica to Tiago after having the public vote for their favourite new name from a shortlist of 3 options- Tiago, Adore and Civet.
Also Read: Tata Tiago Review
To be slotted between the Tata Nano and Bolt, the Tata Tiago hatchback will be built on the XO platform. It will be powered by either a new 1.05-litre, 3-cylinder diesel engine that will produce around 67bhp of power or a 3-cylinder, 1.2-litre Revotron petrol unit that currently powers the Tata Zest and Bolt. So far, a 5-speed manual gearbox has been confirmed although an AMT unit is also a possibility.
Tata Tiago Expected Price: 3.5 lakh - 5 lakh
Tata Tiago Expected Launch: March, 2016
2. Tata Kite 5
Tata also showcased its Tiago-based subcompact sedan (earlier referred to as the Zica Subcompact Sedan) at Auto Expo 2016. The car was showcased bearing the Tata Kite 5 codename.
The Kite 5 subcompact sedan will replace the ageing Indigo eCS in Tata's lineup and will slot in below the Zest. Powertrain options are likely to be carried forwards from the Tata Tiago which includes an option of 2 3-pot engines, a 1.05-litre diesel and a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol. The petrol unit makes around 84bhp and 114Nm of peak torque. Similar to the Tiago, the sporty little sedan is likely to arrive with a 5-speed manual and an AMT gearbox.
In terms of looks, the Kite 5 is heavily influenced by the Tiago's design language although it does feature subtle differences like a tweaked front grille. On the insides too, it's nearly identical to the Tiago. Expected to rival best sellers like the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and Honda Amaze, expect the car to launch around the festive season with an aggressive price tag of around 4.5 lakh - 5.5 lakh.
Tata Kite 5 Expected Price: 4.5 lakh - 5.5 lakh
Tata Kite 5 Expected Launch: October, 2016
3. Tata Hexa
Tata showcased its upcoming Hexa SUV in its production guise at Auto Expo 2016. Set to replace the not so successful Aria, the Indian carmaker seems to have considerably upped its game with this new offering which is likely to launch in India sometime during mid-2016, following in the footsteps of the Tiago.
The Tata Hexa will come fitted with the same 2.2-litre unit found in the Tata Safari Storme VARICOR 400 which is good for 154bhp and 400Nm of peak torque. In terms of looks, it does borrow its shape from the Aria but is nowhere near as conservative. The 6-seater has been designed to look aggressive and butch. The front end includes Tata's signature honeycomb mesh grille, redesigned air dam and big, highly stylized projector headlamp units. The rear is quite simple in contrast but looks neat. The car has been giving a sporty touch thanks to its horizontally mounted LED tail-lamps, huge wheel arches and blacked out pillars.
Tata has tried its level best to make the Aria-succeeding Hexa much more premium and based on what we saw at the expo, seems to have done a fine job. The cabin is plush and features 6 airbags, intelligent driver aids like ESP, auto head-lamps, premium quality and soft touch materials all around, ambient lighting, and rain sensing wipers. Tata's new flagship will sit above the Safari Storme in its line-up and is likely to compete with the incredibly popular Toyota Innova. In the past, many companies have tried to take on the famous Japanese MUV and have failed. However I must admit, the Hexa does seem to have what it takes, at least on paper.
Tata Hexa Expected Price: 13 lakh - 18 lakh
Tata Hexa Expected Launch: Mid-2016
4. Tata Nexon
The production-ready iterant of the Tata Nexon which was first showcased in prototype form at Auto Expo 2014, was finally unveiled at this year's expo. Developed on the X1 platform, the subcompact SUV is quite the looker and should in theory provide some heavy competition to the Ford EcoSport,Mahindra TUV300 and upcoming Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.
In terms of engine options, the Tata Nexon subcompact SUV was initially thought to arrive with a Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre diesel unit although recent speculation suggests that Tata may fit it with a new and punchier 1.5-litre diesel engine good for 108bhp and 260Nm of torque. The petrol variant is likely to feature the Zest and Bolt's 1.2-litre Revotron. Transmission duties will likely be performed by a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Tata Nexon Expected Price: 7 lakh - 10 lakh
Tata Nexon Expected Launch: October-201
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