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 Upcoming vehicles from Tata Motors

Tata Motors, the country’s largest automobile manufacturer, is developing a number of new models, in order to enhance its presence in the Indian auto market. At present, the company is third overall in terms of sales recorded in the passenger car segment. As per industry sources, Tata Motors is developing CNG and diesel versions of its Nano, electric Vista hatchback, new Aria variant and a compact Manza mid-size sedan, amongst others.

Evidently, Tata Motors going through tough times in terms of overall vehicle sales over the past few years. In the month of March 2013, sales went down by 27.6 per cent at 72,172 units, as compared to 1,00,414 units in the same period of last year. For the fiscal 2012-13, numbers also went down to 8,10,086 units, from a figure of 9,06,768 units recorded in the previous fiscal, which indicates a drop of 10.66 per cent. However, with the launch of several new vehicles, Tata Motors would be hoping to reverse this trend.

Tata Motors is looking at diesel and CNG variants of entry level small Nano, in order to script its comeback in the domestic car market. Coming to the new diesel variant first, it would get a 700 cc, 2-cylinder, DICOR diesel engine, which has been created by removing two cylinders from the 1.4 litre Indica V2 DICOR diesel motor. Top global firm, Honeywell has developed the world's smallest turbo system for the Tata Nano, wherein the component industry heavyweight Bosch Automotive would fit a Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI) system into the turbo. Priced somewhere between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 60,000 more than the petrol Nano, this would become the world least expensive diesel vehicle. It is also expected to generate a class leading mileage of 30 to 35 kmpl. Apart from this, Tata Motors has also dropped hints of launching a CNG Nano model sometime later in the second half of 2013 calendar year. A 35 kg tank is expected to be fitted under the front seat, but production versions may see installation of smaller tanks. However, a slight drop in power as compared to petrol, would be experienced in the Nano CNG, but monthly running costs could easily make up for the same.

Another version of the Tata Nano that could be launched by the end of 2013 is a hybrid one. This would be a petrol-electric micro hybrid that would use technology acquired from Bosch and Continental. The vehicle would be capable of switching off automatically whenever it comes to a halt, which would help in getting a better mileage than the current petrol version. In addition, interiors are expected to be made of better quality materials than the present Nano model. The hybrid Nano would have reworked dimensions of 3090 mm x 1487 mm x 1585 mm. Reportedly, the micro hybrid petrol engine would have a capacity of 624 cc, with power and torque outputs rated at 33 bhp and 48 Nm, respectively. Further, acceleration is expected to be better than the existing petrol version and the user will be able to switch between petrol and electricity. With the new technology, the Nano could take on the likes of segment leader Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 in the Indian auto market.

Further, rumours regarding the electric variant of Tata Indica Vista have been doing the rounds since last few years, when the car was showcased at the 2010 New Delhi Auto Expo. Sources suggest that Tata Motors could introduce this vehicle a few months after the launch of Mahindra Reva e2o in the country. Initial reports suggest the car would be fitted with a Prem magnet, which is actually a super polymer battery ion pack. Better than traditional batteries, the new engine assembly is expected to generate a maximum power output of 74 bhp with a torque of 160 Nm. Its battery would need 8 hours for complete charging, which should be good enough for a maximum travelling distance of 200 km. From inside, interiors are expected to be aesthetically designed coupled with dual tone colour setting. It is going to be interesting thing to see how the electric Vista is accepted by the Indian car aficionados, since the response to Mahindra Reva e2o has been lacklustre so far.

Like every other passenger vehicle manufacturer in the country, Tata Motors is working towards cementing a larger share of the passenger car market. One of the company's plans is to tap the potential of the rapidly growing compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment by launching a new variant based on its Aria crossover. According to sources, Tata is working towards the launch of a mini Aria model with length less than 4 metres. This new vehicle is expected to be constructed on the old Safari platform instead of the new Aria platform, with an aim of lowering costs. Exteriors of the compact Aria are expected to be similar quality to its current sibling. Experts believe that it would be powered by the 1.3 Fiat Multijet diesel motor, which would help the vehicle in enjoying excise duty benefits. At a competitive price point, it may even be less expensive than the Mahindra Quanto compact SUV. In addition to the Quanto, other competitors for the mini Aria would be Renault Duster, Premier Rio and Ford EcoSport.

A new smart electric vehicle has been designed by Tata Motors for performance oriented buyers in the world. It is named as Tata Megapixel and is a global range extended electric vehicle (REEV). This modern vehicle combines a lithium ion phosphate battery with an on-board petrol engine generator that helps in recharging while in motion, to generate an outstanding range of 900 km on a single tank of fuel. Further, the vehicle’s CO2 emission is rated at just 22 gm/km and it can provide a staggering economy of 100 kmpl (under battery only power). With a Zero Turn system, it is capable of turning within a short radius of 2.8 metres. Interestingly, the electric drive incorporated in Tata Megapixel has four separate electric motors for each wheel. From the initial pictures, it is evident that the company has kept styling of its Megapixel immensely futuristic with double sliding doors for easy entry and exit. The car can accommodate 4 adults with their luggage. In addition, an advanced Human Machine Interface (HMI) is also available as a comfort and convenience feature on the new Tata Megapixel. One can expect this advanced vehicle to be launched in the Indian auto market by February 2014, within a possible price band of Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh.

Tata Motors has also revealed intentions of bringing a diesel powered Dolphin hatchback for the domestic buyers. The Tata Dolphin is powered with an 800 cc diesel power-mill, and expected to possibly fit in between the Rs. 1.5 lakh Nano and the Rs. 3.8 lakh Indica. There are predictions of this vehicle getting a DICOR engine, mated to a G76 Mark II gearbox. It is expected to be available in the price bracket between Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh, upon its launch in the domestic car market. From the outside, the Tata Dolphin looks quite an advanced design, with the rear window looking similar to the Chevrolet Beat. However, launch dates as per different websites have been changed several times, which means it may not be available soon. But if materialised, it would surely be the cheapest diesel hatchback in the country that could compete against best selling Hyundai Eon and Maruti Alto 800 entry level small cars, which do not come in diesel powered options.

A concept luxury sedan by the name of Tata Prima, which has been designed by leading Italian automobile design company Pininfarina could also be in the pipeline for 2013. Design language of Prima appears futuristic and its many curves entail it to possess a coupe-like appearance. It comes with a long wheelbase of 2.70 metres, which allows a lot of interior space to be made available inside the car. Further, subtle treatment of the C pillar, a characteristic of Pininfarina, is evident from the design of this vehicle. From the engine perspective, this vehicle would get a 2.8 litre petrol engine, producing a maximum power output of 107 bhp. Overall, this concept is laden with style, luxury and comfort and could possibly be launched in a price range from Rs. 11 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh in the Indian auto sector.

Just like the Indigo CS became a huge success after the Indigo's boot was chopped, similar treatment could be seen on the Tata Indigo Manza mid-size sedan. The same quality of interiors would be retained in the new vehicle, providing similar levels of legroom, which means that the Manza CS could really be a cut above its segment, once it is launched. With a length less than 4 metres, the Indigo Manza CS would be able to make use of the Government's excise duty benefits. Sources suggest that the yet-to-be launched sedan could retain the same 1.3 Multijet diesel engine that powers the current model of Indigo Manza. However, no information regarding the car’s price point is available at the moment.

Industry experts were really impressed by the design of Tata's first crossover, the Aria. In the future, it is expected that the Aria may get Automatic Transmission (AT), apart from its long list of features. Despite the design and features, the crossover did not manage to sell in big numbers. This year, at the Geneva Motor Show, Tata Motors showcased the Aria AT that means the model could be launched soon in the Indian auto market. On this version- a dual tone paint job was observed, along with black headlamps, daytime running lights, refreshed tail-lamps and new 19 inch alloy wheels. More significant is the new engine, which is a 2.2 litre DICOR diesel unit, producing a power output of 158 bhp, which is 20 bhp more than the current version. In addition, it would be the first time that Tata Motors launches an automatic transmission equipped model in its product, which is going to be a 6-speed AT in the upcoming Aria.

Evidently, Indian heavyweight Tata Motors is looking to turn its fortunes around this year through a variety of new models. It is commendable that the company is also focussing on reducing environmental degradation by launching hybrids and electric vehicles. It is going to be interesting to see if the upcoming models help Tata Motors in claiming its lost market share in the country.