In a bid to change its image and push sales in domestic market, home grown auto giant, Tata Motors is seeking to bring new cars and overhaul its current vehicles. Officials at Tata have confirmed that the company is considering venturing into new segments where it has been absent. The new cars will underpin existing and new platform, while the conventional old platforms will be discarded. Lately, Tata Motors launched new compact sedan Zest in India priced aggressively at Rs 4.64 lakh (ex-showroom), following Zest launch the auto maker will bring forth hatchback version of Zest christened Bolt this year. Bolt will rival the likes of Maruti Swift, Ford Figo, Fiat Punto Evo and a few others in its segment. Designed in tandem with the company’s new design language, the vehicle was displayed at 2014 Auto Expo along with Zest earlier this year. Underpinning the copiously modified X1 platform, Bolt will get the newly developed 1.2 litre Revotron petrol engine that also powers Zest CS. Other than the Revotron engine a 1.3 litre multi-jet diesel engine sourced from Fiat will also be included in Bolt’s engine set up. This concludes the two new car launches slated for current calendar year, however among the speculations are rife that Nano’s AMT version could also be spawn this year.
Known for offering tough and rugged vehicles like Safari and Sumo, the auto maker will bring its first crossover based on the Nexon concept that was put on public display at the 2014 Auto Expo along with Zest and Bolt. Nexon based crossover is expected to go on sale by 2016, the EcoSport rivalling crossover is likely to get a new 1.2 litre, three cylinder, turbocharged engine outputting 110 PS of top power and 170 Nm of peak torque. A 4WD system could also be bestowed on the top end variants. Speculations are rife that Tata could price Nexon crossover between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh.
Rumours also suggest that a new hatchback codenamed Kite is also under development which will rival Maruti Celerio in its segment. A 1.2 litre petrol engine engendering 64 Bhp and a 1.4 litre diesel TDI engine could be housed in the hatchback. The hatchback is likely to underpin XO platform and will be produced at the company Sanand manufacturing unit. Tata could launch Kite in second half of next year. Despite several failed attempts, Tata Motors is simply not ready to give up on Nano. Officials at company have proclaimed that the company will come up with a facelift version of Nano and position is as a “Smart City Car’. The car will also undergo an image makeover as in the past its image has been damaged owing to some fire catching incident reported few years back.
These launches have been lined up in tandem with company’s new strategy according to which it plans to bring two new cars every year by 2020. This will help the automaker to boost sales and strengthen its image in domestic market.
