Tata Motors is all set to launch its Hyundai Creta-rivalling Harrier SUV in India in January 2019. The Harrier, which was first shown as the H5X concept at Auto Expo 2018, is currently being put through its paces and a now a near production-spec version of the SUV has been spotted near Pune by The Next COG.
The Tata Harrier’s design is expected to be quite similar to the H5X and from the images of the test mule from Pune, it looks like it will be retaining the concept’s lighting setup. Up front, the split headlamp design has been retained with a sleek LED DRL strip on top and a larger array of lights forming the headlight situated slightly below flanking either side of the large camouflaged grille. The bumper, also under heavy camo, looks to be rather chunky.
The sides of the Harrier feature ORVMs with integrated turn signals and pumped-up wheel arches under which sit large alloy wheels shod with what looks to be some rather wide tyres. The top-spec Harrier is expected to feature 17-inch alloy wheels which would put it on par with the ones found on the top-spec Hyundai Creta. The test mule of the Harrier also sits quite a long way above the ground which points to a generous amount of ground clearance for Tata’s flagship SUV. The rear end also looks rather substantial and features a thick bumper and sleek LED taillamps.
The spy shots also give us a peek into the interiors of the Tata Harrier. The Tata SUV, which will rival the Hyundai Creta, features a floating infotainment display that ‘floats’ above the centre console of the Harrier. Another display can be seen to the right of the infotainment screen, which suggest that the Harrier could retain the dual display infotainment and instrumentation setup seen on the H5X concept.
The new Harrier from Tata Motors will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine from Fiat that is also found under the bonnet of the Jeep Compass producing 170bhp and 350Nm of torque. However, Tata Motors will pair the engine with either a 6-speed manual gearbox seen on the Hexa or a new 6-speed automatic gearbox borrowed from Hyundai which can also be seen on its most popular rival, the Creta.
The Tata Harrier, Tata’s first vehicle on its new Omega platform, will arrive in India will arrive on Indian roads in January and will rival the likes of Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV500, and the Jeep Compass.
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