It would not be wrong to say that Tata Winger is India's first well-built Maxi Van that can transform itself as per varied customer requirements. New Tata Winger is powered by a 1948cc, BS III compliant diesel engine and has a five speed manual transmission. Eleven variants of new Winger in three levels of comfort are available with seating capacities of 9, 12 and 13 adults, excluding the driver. Bucket type seats of Winger are more comfortable than any other vehicle in the segment. The van comes with a dual air conditioner and its various variants have been specially designed to suit varied customer needs. Company has customised the vehicle for office staff transportation and tourism. One can also avail the Winger Ambulance and Cargo Vehicle. 

Tata Winger Launch History

Winger was co-launched with Magic in June 2007 by Tata Motors, which is currently, nation's largest automotive company. It completely dominates the commercial vehicle market with an array of heavy and vehicles in all segments. Tata Motors is also fifth largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer in the world and stands second in the heavy bus manufacturer category. With the launch of Tata Winger, it has entered the passenger vehicle category, which is largely dominated by local market players that customise vehicles as per customer needs. 

Tata Winger Variants

Tata Winger is basically offered in three variants for office staff transportation, hotel transfers and can also serve as a tourist vehicle and school van. New Winger can also serve as an Ambulance and Cargo Van. Winger vans are powered by a 1948cc TCIC Diesel Engine. All variants have 5 speed manual transmission, power steering and brakes. The safety features have been kept same throughout all passenger vehicle variants. 

Variant	Key Specification
Winger Standard	Flat roof, shorter wheel base, non AC variant. Kerb Weight-1620 kg, Gross Vehicle Weight-2670 kg. 9+D, 12+D and 13+D Seating Capacity. Soft Cushion Standard Seats with full PVC lining seat covers. Includes Child Safety Lock on Sliding Doors and Door Ajar Warning Lamp for Driver & Co-driver.
Winger Deluxe	Flat roof, longer wheel base, dual AC variant. High roof variant is also available. Kerb Weight-1740 kg, Gross Vehicle Weight-2670 kg. 12+D & 13+D Seating Capacity. Hi Back Seats with full fabric seat covers. Body coloured front & rear bumpers, door handles and ORVMs in contrast to black components in the standard variant. Safety features same as standard variant.
Winger Luxury	Flat roof, longer wheel base, dual AC variant. Kerb Weight-1740 kg, Gross Vehicle Weight-2850 kg. 9+D Seating Capacity. Luxury reclining type seats with adjustable headrest and full fabric seat covers. Arm rests for driver, co-driver & passengers. Safety features same as standard variant.
Winger Ambulance	Patient Cabin Space
	Variant	Internal Length (mm)	Internal Width (mm)	Internal Width (mm)
	Winger Flat Roof	2335	1650	1517
	Winger High Roof	2755	1650	1900
	Both variants of Winger Ambulance have single stretcher capability and have bench seats for paramedics. A special doctor's seat has been provided in high roof variant of the ambulance. Besides both the variants are equipped with single oxygen cylinder cage, intravenous bottle holding hooks, first aid box, electric plug point and overhead revolving beacon.   Winger High roof comes with AC while a fan in the patient cabin of Winger Low Roof has been provided for ventilation purpose. The vehicle comes with wide 180° opening rear door for easy entry and exist. The vehicle can be customised as a Mobile Medical Unit, Critical Care Unit, Blood Transportation Van and similar special transport units for critical healthcare services.
Winger Cargo Van	Claimed to be India's first Cargo Van with power steering and front wheel drive. Side windows and seats have been removed to form a large cabin space for unit loads. This also provides a large space for brand advertising on the exteriors. Low floor height and wide 180° opening rear door facilitates cargo loading and unloading. The vehicle has a payload capacity of 1200 kg.

 Tata Winger Pricing

Tata Winger has little competition in the category it is launched. It targets the passenger transport vehicle category where there isn't any vehicle present in the market, which comes with kind of comfort that this 13-seater van provides. All variants of Winger are placed in a price bracket of Rs.4.7 lacs to Rs.6.0 lacs.    

Tata Winger Review

Basically a maxi-van, the Tata Winger was launched by the company for commercial purposes.  The vehicle can accommodate 9 to 13 passengers easily due to which it can be used as passenger carrying van. There are bottle holders, magazine holders and small spot lamps provided in Winger for the comfort and convenience of the passengers. Tata Motors has launched this van after analysing various commercial needs of Indian customers. It can be used as ambulance, staff carrier and school van. Some tourist companies also prefer to use these vans. The usage is endless and it can be called a multi-purpose van.

Powered by 2L turbo charged diesel engine, the new Tata Winger proves to be economical. Diesel engines are mostly favoured in India due to the soaring fuel prices. The van with its standard and deluxe models has provided a freedom of choice to the customers. In rural areas, the standard model of Tata Winger is used. Further, luxury model of this van suits best for the corporate purposes. Overall, Tata Winger is a complete utility van and has bright future in India.

Tata Winger Used Car Market

Tata has entered the used car market with establishment of ‘Tata Motors Assured’ dealerships across the nation. These dealerships are a one stop location for exchange, sale or purchase of pre-owned Tata vehicle. Engineers make a thorough evaluation of the vehicle, refurbish it and provide it a certificate subject to certain conditions. This certificate ensures that vehicle is not more than seven years old and also carries a comprehensive one year warranty. One can easily avail used Tata Winger cars from these dealerships.   

Tata Winger Specifications

Tata Winger 2011 is powered by a 2L turbo charged diesel engine. This engine is perfectly tuned to reduce noise levels and give optimum fuel economy. One must not find any difficulty in handling and control of this maxi van which comes with a well-balanced power steering and power brakes.

Criteria	Specifications
	Winger Standard	Winger Deluxe/ Luxury/ Ambulance/ Cargo
Bharat Stage	BS-II, BS-III (9+1)	BS-III
Engine Type	1948cc NA Engine	1948cc TCIC Engine
Power	68 hp at 4500 rpm	90 hp at 4300 rpm
Torque	115 Nm at 2000-3000 rpm	190 Nm at 2000-3000 rpm
Transmission	5 fwd+1 reverse, Manual transmission
Steering	Power Assisted Rack & Pinion Steering
Brakes	Front Disc Brakes with Twin Pot Calliper            Rear Drum Brakes with LSPV       Vacuum Assisted Hydraulic Service Brakes Brake Booster with TMC

 

  Tata Winger Exteriors 

 

New Tata Winger India is a unique multi utility vehicle with a sleek futuristic design. The vehicle is available in vibrant colours and appears more attractive than any other MUV in this segment.  

Exterior Appearance

Simple angular contours define the exteriors of new Tata Winger. This basic design has been crafted to perfection and looks attractive with body graphics. Top variants come with body coloured front & rear bumpers, door handles, radiator grille and outside rear view mirrors. Clear lens headlamps have been provided at the front, while fog lamps are provided at both front and rear of Winger.

Exterior Dimensions

Criteria	Measurements
	Standard	Deluxe	Luxury	Ambulance		Cargo
				Flat Roof	High Roof
Length (mm)	4520	4920	4920	4520	4920	4920
Breadth (mm)	1905	1905	1905	1905	1905	1905
Height (mm)	2050	2050	2050	2050	2445	2445
Wheelbase	2800	3200	3200	2800	3200	3200
Ground Clearance	165	165	165	165	165	165

 Tata Winger Interiors

The interiors of Tata Winger cars are in fact a USP of this vehicle. Space has been utilised to the fullest and all seats are equally comfortable. Though it is understandable that 9-seater variants have more space than 13-seater variants, still one cannot complain about any downplay in passenger comfort.

Interior Appearance

The interior styling of this new Tata Winger seems similar to any mid size sedan. Moulded roof lining and vinyl anti-skid flooring form the cabin space. Bucket type dual tone beige coloured seats are provided in the higher variants while lower variants have dual tone grey coloured seats. All variants are fitted with sliding type tinted glass windows. Seats in Deluxe and Luxury variants of Winger have full fabric cloth covers. All accessories and components in dashboard and elsewhere have an up market feel.         

Interior Comfort

Some of the basic advantages of new Tata Winger can be seen in the designing of suspensions and engine which provide a comfortable ride with lower noise levels. Advanced dual AC (front and roof mounted) system keep the cabin space at room temperature. The system includes six AC vents for uniform cooling, which remains effective even in peak summers. Moreover, adjustments in the blower speed can be made at the passenger’s via speed adjuster provided for the purpose.

Extra care has been taken while designing the seats of Winger to make maximum use of space without any compromise in passenger comfort. Adjustable head restraint with reclining back rest and seat height adjustment has been provided for the driver. Different variants of Winger have different types of passenger seats and include armrests only in the highest variant. All seats of Winger cars incorporate seat storage pockets as a standard feature. At the front injection moulded dashboard with glove box and utility tray has been provided in the car. New Tata Winger car is also includes cup holder, coin case and ashtray.

Interior Dimensions

As mentioned earlier, the space inside new Tata Winger has been very efficiently used. At the same time it does not undermine the basic concept of vehicle which emphasises passenger comfort as prime objective. One cannot sight any seating position inside the cabin with any major disadvantage than others. This has been ensured by even distribution of space with intelligent placement of accessories in Winger. 

Criteria	Measurements
	Standard	Deluxe	Luxury
Internal Length (mm)	2335	2755	2755
Internal Breadth (mm)	1650	1650	1650
Internal Height (mm)	1517	1517 & (1900 in High Roof Variants)	1517

 

  Tata Winger Mileage, Average and Fuel Economy 

 

Winger is powered with 1948cc TCIC diesel engine, which generates maximum power of 90 bhp at 4500 rpm along with peak torque of 190 Nm between 2000 and 3000 rpm. The mileage of Tata Winger in test conditions is 18 kmpl to 20 kmpl.

Tata Winger On Road Drive

Anyone who has driven a vehicle of such proportion would brag about special expertise required for driving these vehicles. However, with Winger, no such expertise is required. Its power steering and Vacuum Assisted Hydraulic Service Brakes makes driving as simple as it is in any other car. One does not have to worry too much about the tail, as a comfortable high seating position allows the driver to get better feel of the entire vehicle.

New Winger 2011 cars have better gear shifting lever and include all other controls at right position. Unlike other Vans and MUVs, the 2 litre diesel engine responds very well even in hilly terrains which test the limits of a vehicle. Acceleration might not be as good as other hatchbacks and SUVs that roam on Indian roads, but then it is not meant for racing. One can make use of driver seat height adjustment facility for added convenience.

A big advantage with Winger is its lower centre of gravity and shorter turning radius which allow safe and easy cornering of turns. Double Parabolic Leaf Spring suspensions at the rear help in balancing the heavy loads evenly on both wheels for better stability in all conditions. Anti-Roll Bar in Front and Rear also come into act at sharp turns where they counter balance the vehicle tilt. The engine of Winger has been tuned effectively to reduce noise levels and the cabin remains silent even at higher revs.   

Tata Winger Power

The 2-litre turbo charged diesel engine of new Winger is BS-III compliant and delivers a maximum power of 90 hp at 4500 rpm. Torque of 190 Nm between 2000 and 3000 rpm could be achieved with this engine. Another BS-II compliant engine of Winger cars deliver a maximum power of 68 hp at 4500 rpm and corresponding values of torque for this engine is 115 Nm between 2000 and 3000 rpm.

These engines of Winger are tuned to give maximum possible efficiency without any considerable loss to the power values. The monocoque design of the Winger cars improves NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) characteristics of the engine.

Tata Winger Acceleration and Pick Up

Tata Winger 2011 cars have a capable engine, which might outclass other cargo vehicles and vans due to its front wheel drive. The 2 litre diesel engine responds well as soon as one presses the paddle. One does gets pushed back in seats initially when the engine starts accelerating, giving a feel of its power. Though, it might be better than other engines in its class, it still has to serve a large vehicle and hence, is not tuned for high revs. The 14 inch tyres of Winger are not designed for very high speed performance. At fourth gear the vehicle performs well in 40 to 90 kmph speed range.  

Tata Winger Safety & Security

New Tata Winger comes with advanced safety systems that keep the occupants safe and secure inside its comfortable cabin space. One of these advanced systems is Anti-Roll Bar in Front and Rear. This system is very critical for vehicle stability and restricts leaning to a certain degree at turns. Side impact beams and rub rail on both sides provide protection to the vehicle's body in busy traffics. 

Power brakes and steering are provided as an essential feature in all variants of new Winger cars in India, which have a Rugged Engine Subframe for added safety. Load Sensing Proportion Valve work in tandem with brakes to prevent skidding or wheel lock during panic braking. Seat belts are also provided as a standard feature in Winger. Adding to the safety of this passenger vehicle is child safety lock on sliding doors. This prevents accidental opening of the doors, while vehicle is in motion. Door Ajar Warning Lamp for driver and co-driver is included as an alert feature in case doors are not locked properly.

Tata Winger & Convenience

The cabins of Luxury and Deluxe variants of Winger are more comfortable with 9 and 12 seats in the cabin. A/C is more convenient with blower controls provided to each passenger. Bottle holder and seats with pockets at the back of Winger cars provide convenience for keeping magazines or other miscellaneous items. The reclining type luxury seats come with arm rests in luxury variants of new Winger. In the end, Winger is the abundance in leg and headroom, which makes this vehicle special. These features make Winger an ideal vehicle for corporate, tourists and even school going kids.   

Tata Winger Wheels & Suspension

Wheel size of Winger is chosen to accommodate the low floor design feature and complements the overall design effectively. The hard suspensions evenly balance the entire load of vehicle and leave no chances for any complaints. One does not feel any major discomfort till the vehicle remains on metalled road, which understandably include the frequent potholes.   

Criteria	Specifications
Wheel Size	14 inch
Front Suspensions	McPherson Struts with Coil Spring
Rear Suspensions	Double Parabolic Leaf Spring
Shockers	Hydraulic Telescopic Shock Absorber in Rear

 Tata Winger Dealers

Tata Motors is India's largest automotive company in terms of revenues. It has complete dominance in the heavy commercial vehicle category. A large number of dealerships across the country provide ease in ownership of the vehicles. All major cities have workshops, which provide services and spares for the vehicles. A list of authorised dealerships in four major metropolitan cities of India is given below: 

Location	Authorised Dealerships
New Delhi	Pascos, Asaf Ali Road Pascos, G.T. Karnal Road Tata Motors Sales And Service, Patparganj Automobile Sterling, Noida
Kolkata	French Motor Car Co. Ltd. Lexus Motors Ltd.
Mumbai	Bafna Motors (Mumbai) Pvt. Ltd.
Chennai	V S T Motors Ltd. Popular Mega Motors

 Tata Winger Company Quotes

Mr. P.M. Telang (Executive Director, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle Business Unit) at the joint launch of Tata Winger and Magic in June 2007 said, “...Tata Motors has always been at the forefront with its commitment to offer transportation solutions which will change the way India travels. The Magic and the Winger are our latest initiatives in that direction, and more will follow. They combine Tata Motors’ traditional engineering excellence with strong customer orientation. We are very hopeful that, in their respective spaces, they will deliver the same success as we have had with our market leading range of commercial and passenger vehicles.”

Tata Winger Competitor Analysis

Although Tata Winger cannot be compared with any other vehicle on the basis of technical specifications and dimensions, one may compare it with Mahindra Bolero as it has a seating capacity of nine adults. Winger car has more capable 2.5 L diesel engine which provides it an exceptional torque and power characteristics. Winger is no match if engine specifications remain the sole criteria for comparison. However, if one has to compare the seating position, space and utility, then Winger is surely ahead of Bolero.

On the other hand, Mahindra Bolero has a four wheel drive and comes with a host of comfort and convenience features, which might add to the confusion of prospective buyers. On a closer inspection one may find it evident that all these features are reflected in the price difference of both these vehicles. Moreover, it is difficult to visualise a cargo variant of Bolero or for that instance a school bus or an ambulance. Hence, Winger remains a steal considering the kind of utility it provides via its various variants.

Tata Winger Pros

A basic advantage of new Winger is that it is suitable for large range of applications. It attracts Hotel owners, corporate, educational institutions and even tourist operators. Ambulances and Cargo vehicles have their own advantages. On road warranty of eighteen months or one lac fifty thousand kilometres is also an added advantage of Winger. Tata Winger taps a market, which is largely unclaimed by any major competitor.

Tata Winger Cons

ABS and EBD have not been included in Tata Winger as a security feature even in higher variants. Audio system, Wi-Fi, bluetooth and power point for charging of cell phones or laptops could have been easily incorporated in the cabin of luxury variants.   

Tata Winger Conclusion

Quite clearly there are little competitors for Tata Winger at this point and might be a lone participant in the race. Tata Winger might not be a vehicle for very small families though it suits the needs of large families perfectly. However, main target area of Winger remains restricted to BPOs, tourist operators and small scale businesses.