Last year, it was reported that Tata was working on a premium hatchback to take on the likes of the Hyundai i20 and the Maruti Baleno. It has been code-named the X451 and we now have some more information regarding the same.
Tata is working on an all-new platform called the AMP (Advanced Modular Platform). The X451 will be the first vehicle that will be based on that very platform and it will be introduced in 2019. An initial investment of Rs 2500 crore has already been done for the new platform. The main reason for this platform is that the company wants to lower the cost of production. The company currently has a total of 6 platforms which the company aims to reduce to 2. Having the same platform spread across a few models makes it easier for production and also helps to keep costs low. With this new platform, the company hopes to lower the number of suppliers they have as well.
Details on the vehicle are scarce currently. It is believed that the company has already started testing prototypes of the same, however they are yet to be spotted. Tata has 3 design centers, one in UK, one in Italy and one in India.
The company could either choose the 1.2 liter turbo petrol engine from the Nexon or could opt for the normal 1.2 liter engine from the Tiago. The Baleno and the i20 both have a 1.2 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine. While the one from Tata is a 3-cylinder unit, the others have a 4-cylinder one.
The company is now working on bridging the gap in their current portfolio. The Bolt, which is currently their largest hatchback has aged quite a bit and isn’t doing the volumes the company would have hoped for. This is where the X451 will come into play.
Other than the X451, the company will also be working on a new sedan on the same platform which will fill the void left by the Manza currently.
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