Tata Tiago bookings open, launch on March 28

Having cleared the Zica name hurdle, Tata are all set to launch the Tiago with both petrol and diesel engines to take on the Celerio and Hyundai i10.

One of the most anticipated launches from the Tata stable this year, the Tiago hatchback, is likely to hit showrooms on March 28, 2016. The Tiago continues Tata’s brand reinvention in the passenger car segment, following heavily re-engineered models such as the Bolt and Zest. Tata dealers all over the country have started accepting bookings from the customers. The booking amount is set Rs 10,000 which is refundable. 

The Tata Tiago will slot in between the Bolt and Nano, effectively replacing the Indica eV2, in a segment dominated by Maruti and Hyundai with the Celerio and i10, respectively. Highlights of the Tiago include a pair of all-new three-cylinder engines – petrol and diesel, a bold new design and a strong suit of features.

The Tata Tiago petrol gets an all-new 1.2-litre three-cylinder DOHC aluminium motor which is a part of Tata Motor’s Revotron family of engines. This motor develops 83.8bhp of power and 11.6kgm of torque. The diesel engine is also an all-new 1.05-litre three-cylinder DOHC unit made of aluminium with a cast iron block. It generates 69bhp of power and 14.2kgm of torque.

Tata showcased the Tiago alongside its upcoming compact sedan sibling, codenamed Kite 5, at the 2016 Auto Expo. Both these models were recently shown at the Geneva motor show 2016 as well. The Kite 5 will slot in below the Zest as a smaller model and will feature a segment-defining feature – its 420-litre boot space. The sedan will share its mechanicals and feature list with the Tiago.

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Exclusive! Tata Falcon hatchback, compact saloon to debut at Auto Expo

New hatchback and compact saloon to replace Vista and Manza; debut of new petrol engine family.

Tata Motors will kick off its new product offensive with ‘Project Falcon’, which will spawn a new hatchback and sub-four-metre saloon based on the company’s existing X1 platform that underpins the current Vista and Manza.

However, according to company insiders, the Falcon siblings are essentially all-new vehicles and have "no resemblance to any existing Tata product”. In fact, Tata Motors is likely to drop the Vista and Manza names altogether, to drive home the point that these models represent a fresh innings for the company that has been badly struggling with an ageing and dry product pipeline. It is unlikely, however, that Tata Motors will use ‘Falcon’, which is just the project designation, as the market name for the new cars.

‘Falcon 4’ is the project code for the hatchback, which has been styled in Tata’s European design studio. It will eventually replace the Vista when it goes on sale towards the end of 2014 and will come with both diesel and petrol engine options. The 1.3-litre Fiat Multijet diesel is carried over from the Vista, but a new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, based on the current Xeta engine, will debut in the Falcons. This engine will be the base motor in an engine family that Tata Motors is developing, which, in the future, will include larger-capacity engines and direct fuel injection.

‘Falcon 5’ is a new sub-four-metre saloon that will replace the current Manza and will be positioned above the existing Indigo eCS when it goes on sale next year. Again, this new saloon will use the Manza’s 89bhp, Fiat-sourced 1.3 diesel, but petrol power is likely to come from a more powerful version of the new 1.2 turbo-petrol, producing in excess of 100bhp. 

It’s likely that the Falcon 5 will be launched a couple of months before the hatchback (Falcon 4) and around the festive season next year. Both the Falcon cars will be unveiled at the Auto Expo next February.

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Tata Vista D90 review, test drive

Tata plonks a more powerful diesel motor in the Vista. We find out how good it is.

With Tata carrying out extensive exercises to constantly improve its range of cars, we’ve seen quite a few updates, facelifts and upgrades on several of the manufacturer’s products like the Manza. The latest in the line-up to get a new avatar is the Indica Vista with a 90PS (89bhp) diesel engine. It is powered by the 1.3-litre Fiat Multijet diesel engine that is shared with the likes of Maruti Swift and the new Chevrolet Sail. It makes the extra power (and pulling power) thanks to a different turbocharger and different engine tuning. The company claims this turbocharger, known as a variable-geometry turbo, improves the car’s low-speed responsiveness as well.

 

Apart from the engine, a whole host of other changes have been carried out on this car to improve driving performance, ride and handling. The D90 has a new sound-deadening package to cut down on in-cabin noise when the car is on the move, and Tata has also tweaked the suspension to help the car handle the extra power.

The good thing about the new engine is that it’s perfect for driving around in traffic – it’s responsive enough and has adequate power. However, if you want a sudden burst of power to, say, shoot into a gap in traffic, the engine will leave you wanting. There is quite a bit of throttle lag, but rev the engine past 2500rpm and a big burst of power comes in, which can get irritating. 

 

On the highway, the D90 will hold three-digit speeds quite comfortably and the engine is pretty refined as well. Other plus points include the light-action clutch and gearshift, and the way that it is rather easy to drive. Interestingly, the Vista D90 is slower getting to 100kph than the lower-powered Swift diesel. At 13.9sec, the Tata takes 0.3sec longer than the Maruti and we think this is because of the extra 150kg on the Vista over its competitors. Tata puts down the extra weight to the Vista’s extra-strong reinforced steel body shell. But it is a lot faster than the 75bhp Vista which takes 16.3sec for the same run. 

And if the engine impresses you, the cabin’s insulation from noise will completely bowl you over. Even at 140kph, the cabin is hushed, and you can actually have a conversation with your passengers without having to raise your voice. The tweaks to the suspension mean bad roads are dealt with comfortably and almost noiselessly. These improvements and the spacious cabin give the impression of being in a bigger car.

Tata says the handling has improved, and this is true to a certain extent – the D90 does feel safe in the way it handles and high-speed stability is excellent – but it would be pushing things a bit to call it a sporty handler. 

 

Tata has also added new equipment to the Vista D90. In addition to the power windows and electric mirrors, the Vista gets a touchscreen audio system that includes voice-guided navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and an input for any possible form of media that you might feel like using (USB, aux-in, SD card and DVD). It’s also got climate control.

The manufacturer has also done a thorough job with the interiors, having upgraded a lot of the plastics, seat materials and even the air-con switches. Of course, close scrutiny will still reveal a few patchy bits – the volume knob on the audio system, for example. However, the Vista D90 is testament to the fact that Tata has come a long way in improving the interiors of its cars. 

 

The rest of the car remains as is. Good bits like the spaciousness and practicality are intact. The new two-tone dashboard is also nice. The beige lower cabin enhances the feeling of space and the smart (if a bit hard to read) dials lend a touch of sophistication. That said, the boot could definitely have been a bit bigger.

 

At around Rs 6.6 lakh for the ZX+ trim and Rs 6 lakh for the lower-spec VX, the Vista D90 is a whole lakh cheaper than the Fiat Punto 90HP. It’s much better value than the Punto as well, simply because it’s got a lot more equipment and is a lot more practical. 

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 5.99 lakh VX, Rs 6.83 lakh ZX (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine

Fuel	Diesel
Installation	Front, transverse
Type	1.3-litre common-rail turbodiesel
Power	89bhp at 4000rpm
Torque	20.4kgm at 1750rpm

Transmission

Type	Front wheel drive
Gearbox	5-speed manual

Dimensions

Length	3795mm
Width	1695mm
Height	1550mm
Ground clearance	165mm

Chassis & Body

Wheels	14 inches
Tyres	175/65-R14
Spare	Full size

Suspension

Front	MacPherson struts
Rear	Twist beam

Brakes

Front	Ventilated discs
Rear	Drums

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Vista-based crossover-like concept unveiled

104bhp, 1.3 Multijet diesel-powered D90 Xtreme showcases Vista platform's potential.

Alongside the recent launch of its Vista D90 hatchback, Tata Motors also showcased a concept for a crossover based on the Vista, called the Vista D90 Xtreme.

The concept is conceived in the same vein as the Skoda Fabia Scout and the upcoming VW CrossPolo, in that it is a standard hatchback with slightly raised suspension (25mm in this case) and a number of cosmetic touches, like a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, to give it the appearance of an SUV. For the D90 Xtreme, additional touches include black cladding on the bumpers and below the doors, roof rails, flared wheelarches and larger, 16-inch alloy wheels.

Interestingly, unlike most SUVs, which mount the wheel directly on the tailgate, the Vista D90 Xtreme’s spare is mounted on a swingarm that is hinged to the rear bumper, beneath the hatch. This was done to avoid tailgate rattle, and to keep the hatch door light enough to lift open easily. And since the spare wheel is not counted in the car’s overall length (which is the same as the standard hatchback’s) the car can still qualify for sub-four-metre small car excise benefits. 

On the inside, the car gets black leather seats with yellow stitching, and an aluminium-effect gearlever and pedals.

 

Under the bonnet, the standard Vista D90’s 89bhp, 1.3-litre, variable-geometry turbo-equipped Quadrajet engine has been modified to produce 104bhp. Our sources tell us the modifications have been carried out in-house by Tata Motors, with a little help from Abarth, Fiat’s performance division. The tweaks include a modified exhaust, a remapped ECU and an optimised turbocharger.

 

With SUVs having gained huge popularity in recent years, and the potential to cash in on the government’s small-car excise benefits, the sub-four-metre crossover segment is fast becoming one of the most popular. Mahindra’s Quanto has already seen a lot of success and Ford’s upcoming EcoSport is easily one of the most anticipated launches of 2013. 

 

A production version of the D90 Xtreme is possible, but there has been no confirmation. However, if confirmed, a production model could be ready by the end of the year, and we expect prices to be around Rs 80,000 more than a similarly specced Vista hatchback.

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Tata Manza EXL review

Tata’s mid-size saloon gets an update with minimal styling tweaks and new features.

When launched in 2009, the Manza took Tata’s ‘more car per car’ philosophy to an all-new level. Here was a mid-size saloon that was more spacious than cars a couple of steps up the price ladder. While that should have translated to huge sales in a value-oriented market such as ours, the Manza hasn’t been the success Tata had hoped it to be. In a bid to bring it back in the reckoning, Tata has updated the Manza to make it more desirable.

When you open the doors you can immediately tell that enhancing the cabin ambience was the prime focus for Tata. The new range-topping Manza EXL we’ve featured here gets nicely finished leather seats with the Manza name embossed on the headrests. While the large seats don’t improve on comfort, they certainly do add a touch of class to the cabin. Another change is the revised centre console that now houses a touchscreen interface for the audio system, Bluetooth telephony and satellite navigation; a first in this segment. However, the sat-nav didn’t quite give us point-to-point directions as it was supposed to, but that’s something a software update can fix. No complaints about the new automatic climate control system, which helps cool the Manza’s vast cabin effectively. 

 

Perceived quality also takes a step up as the predominantly black theme in the cabin helps camouflage the inconsistent panel gaps better than the beige tones of the earlier car. Curiously, the update does away with the soft-touch plastics on the dashboard top and door pads, though they still come unusually finished in a shade of plum.  

 

On the outside, it’s hard to tell the ‘new’ Manza from the old. Look closer and you’ll notice the car’s new eight-spoke alloy wheel design and the chrome embellishments on the body. Top EX and EXL models also get a contrasting colour for the roof (black or silver) to distinguish these from lesser Manzas. 

 

Tata hasn’t changed any of the mechanicals here, and it can still be had with a 1.4-litre petrol or a 1.3-litre turbo-diesel. We drove the diesel version and, as before, found it a bit sluggish in city driving, with the slightly heavy steering not helping comfort. What we did like, however, was the way the suspension absorbed bumps at city speeds. This, along with the comfy rear seat, make the Manza best suited to the chauffeur-driven. 

 

Prices start at Rs 5.7 lakh  (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the base petrol version and extend all the way up to Rs 8.8 lakh for the diesel in the EXL trim featured here. With the updates, the Manza holds on to its trump card of space and gives you a little more by way of features across the range. We just wish the Manza took a bigger leap forward in other areas as well. 

 

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 5.7-8.8 lakh

Engine

Type	1.4 petrol/ 1.3 turbo diesel
Power	89bhp/89bhp
Torque	11.8kgm/20.4kgm

Transmission

Gearbox

5-speed manual

Chassis & Body

Tyres

185/65R15

Economy

Tank size

44 litres

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Tata Vista Quadrajet 90 goes on sale

Tata introduces another diesel option for the Vista

Tata Motors has added another engine option to its Vista line-up.

A 88bhp 1.3-litre Quadrajet diesel motor will power the new variant known as the Vista Quadrajet 90. This powerplant is also available in the Fiat Punto 90HP Sport and the Manza saloon.

One of the major changes the Vista 90 comes with is interior styling similar to the Manza saloon’s. This means the instrument console now moves behind the steering wheel.

The Vista Quadrajet 90 is available in two trims, namely VX and ZX. The VX comes equipped with features like power windows, central locking, ABS with EBD and trip computer. All Vista Quadarajet 90s will come with a black painted roof. The ZX variant comes with all the features of the VX and adds alloy wheels and dual airbags.

The addition of the new diesel motor takes the Vista’s diesel tally up to two. There are also two petrol motors including a 1.2-litre unit that is good for 64 bhp and a 1.4-litre engine that churns out 89bhp. The other diesel motor is the same 1.3-litre unit that makes 74bhp and is shared with various Fiat and Maruti products.

Indica Vista Quadrajet 90 prices

VX: Rs 5.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Panvel), Rs 6.03 lakh (ex-showroom,Mumbai)

ZX: Rs 6.32 lakh (ex-showroom, Panvel), Rs 6.63 lakh (ex-showroom-Mumbai)

Fiat Punto Sport 90HP diesel prices

Rs 7.59 lakh (ex-showroom-Mumbai)

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Tata Nano special edition launched

Special edition Nano gets additional goodies at no extra cost.

Tata Motors, considering the growing competition in the small car segment, has launched a special edition of the Nano. The new car includes several new features and subtle upgrades and the company claims it was inspired to carry out these innovations because of customer feedback.

The special edition gets alloy wheels and brand new decals. On the inside, there’s now two glove boxes and an audio system with MP3, USB and Aux in. The Nano special edition will be available for the same price as the existing model.    

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Tata Safari Storme review

Tata’s long-awaited Safari update, the Safari Storme, hits the roads. We take it out for a spin.

When you first look at the new Safari Storme, you are immediately struck by how, even 14 years after its launch, Tata seems to have made barely any changes to the exterior. Alterations to the nose and rear suggest that it’s not much more than a facelift. However, that misconception gets blown to dust the moment you drive it. Once you’re behind the wheel, you realise just how much of an improvement the new Storme is over the previous Safari. It feels better built, it’s far more refined, it rides really well and the interior too feels a generation ahead.
The most obvious changes are to the front, where the slim, wide grille (capped with a thick chrome strip) undercuts the sharp-looking headlights in a nice, stylistic touch. Move to the side however and the Storme looks exactly like the old Safari. New cladding for the doors and wheel arches can’t hide the fact that the glass house is identical, the doors are similar and the A, B and C pillars are the same as well.
At the back, the tailgate-mounted spare wheel has now been moved under the floor. The result is a cleaner rear profile with a new set of tail-lights.
On the inside, the overall improvement in quality all around is immediately evident and almost nothing of the old car is carried over. The chrome door handles and leather seats add a touch of luxury, as do small details like the chrome on the gearlever and the flock lining in the glovebox.
Just like the previous generation Safari, the Storme has excellent seat comfort and, once you haul yourself in, you are rewarded with a commanding seating position and a delightfully spacious and airy cabin. The front seats are large and very well bolstered, whilst the rear bench is supportive too.
In stark contrast, the third row is far from comfortable or practical. The tiny, foldable jump seats are only useable on short journeys, at best.
On the mechanical front, the Safari Storme uses an updated version of the 138bhp Dicor motor, which Tata now calls VariCor, because of the use of a variable geometry turbo. This 2.2-litre common-rail, direct-injection motor uses double overhead cams, hydraulic valve adjusters and sixteen valves to breathe better.
The overall level of refinement is much better now with an engine that is quieter throughout its rev range, and a cabin that feels particularly well insulated from the outside.
Tata engineers have managed to shave around 75 kg off the old car thanks to a lighter chassis, but this hulking two-tonne SUV is a bit lethargic off the line; a result of its weight and lack of low-end torque. You need to keep the engine above 1800rpm, after which the Storme picks up the pace with a fair amount of enthusiasm. The mid-range is quite punchy and cruising is quite effortless, which suits the Safari’s role as a long-distance cruiser.
The clutch is reasonably light and the gearbox has been improved with shorter throws, but the shift still feels a bit soggy and vague.
The Storme sits on a shortened version of the Aria’s hydroformed X2 chassis and maintains the previous Safari’s 2650mm wheelbase. As a result, the Storme’s chassis is approximately 50 percent stiffer and 35kg lighter than the old Safari’s outdated ladder frame.
The ride comfort is simply fantastic. The Storme coasts over bumps and broken roads like a freight train, flattening out even the largest of potholes. The suspension, also carried over from the Aria, is on the softer side, and hence there’s a fair amount of pitching and heaving over uneven surfaces.
The Storme retains the old Safari’s comprehensive four-wheel-drive system that includes a low range and a limited-slip differential. The system is easily engaged by using a central console-mounted dial and this allows the big Tata to tackle medium to difficult sections.
The new Safari Storme comes equipped with features like ABS, remote locking and an audio system with Bluetooth connectivity standard across the range. In fact, the Rs 9.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) that Tata is asking for the base Storme LX may be considerably more than the old LX, but the equipment is on par, if not better than, the old mid-level EX.
Unusually, the top-end VX versions (Rs 12.5 lakh for the 4x2) no longer get the reversing camera (there’s just parking sensors) or DVD player as they did before.
The Safari Storme, then, comes across as a quantum leap ahead of the previous Safari. It’s well-equipped, refined, better built and comprehensively updated. And with prices starting from Rs 9.9 lakh for the base 4x2 model and going to Rs 13.7 lakh for the fully loaded 4x4 option, it’s great value for money. Also, as a long-distance cruiser, nothing can quite beat it for the money. The only grouse is that, even after 14 years, Tata hasn’t got around to changing the ageing body completely.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 9.95L to Rs 13.66L (Ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine

Fuel	Diesel
Installation	Front, longitudinal
Type	4-cyl, in-line, 2179cc, common-rail, turbo diesel
Bore/stroke	85.0/96.0mm
Power	140bhp at 4000rpm
Torque	32.63kgm at 1700-2700rpm

Transmission

Gearbox

5-speed manual

Dimensions

Length	4650mm
Width	1965mm
Height	1922mm
Wheel base	2650mm
Ground clearance	200mm

Chassis & Body

Tyres

235/70-R16

Suspension

Front	Independent, double wishbone, coil springs
Rear	non-independent, 5-link with coil springs

Brakes

Front	Ventilated discs
Rear	discs

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Tata to launch Safari Storme on Oct 17

Safari Storme will be powered by the same 2.2-litre engine, but will now come with an improved suspension and modern chassis.

Tata will launch the new Safari Storme on October 17, 2012. First seen at the Auto Expo 2012, the Safari Storme incorporates some serious changes to make it more desirable, especially considering the ever-increasing competition in its segment.
While the changes to the exterior aren’t as revolutionary as we expected, Tata has made a lot of improvements to the car mechanically. The Safari Storme uses an improved suspension and a modern ladder-frame chassis similar to the one that underpins the Aria. It continues to be powered by the same 140bhp 2.2-litre DiCOR motor, but the engine now feels a lot more responsive. The five-speed G76 manual gearbox has also been tweaked for better refinement.
On the inside, the interiors have been reworked with clean, mature and minimalistic touches all-round. It also manages to retain the previous-gen Safari’s key quality - passenger comfort.
Once launched, the Safari Storme will compete with the likes of the Mahindra Scorpio and the recently-launched Renault Duster. We expect it to be priced at around Rs 10 lakh and, at this price point; it should have enough appeal to still be viewed as an attractive buy.

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