Counted among the largest auto manufacturers of India, Tata Motors have suddenly made a grand re-entry into the passenger car scene. The first wave was seen in the form of the Tiago and Tigor while the next hit was the Harrier. The last blow by them which made other manufacturers worried was at the Geneva auto expo this year where the automaker showcased 4 new upcoming vehicles. By the end of 2020, Tata will have its whole lineup updated to follow the BSVI emission norms and will also launch several new models that will strengthen its position in the market. Let’s now take a look at 6 upcoming vehicles by Tata hat will be here before the end of 2020.
Hornbill
Expected launch timeline: Q3-Q4 2020
The H2X concept was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show this year. It will be most probably showcased at the 2019 Delhi auto expo in production guise. It has been codenamed as the Hornbill and it will be positioned as a micro SUV. The Hornbill will sit below the sub-4 meter SUVs and will provide an alternative to people who are in the market for a hatchback. It is designed in accordance with Tata’s IMPACT 2.0 design philosophy and will be built upon the ALFA platform. We expect that Tata would equip the Hornbill micro SUV with a 1.2-litre petrol engine that will be offered with both manual and automatic transmission options.
Altroz
Expected launch timeline: Q4 2019
The Altroz was another vehicle that was showcased at the Geneva motor show. The premium hatchback is built on the ALFA platform and has been spotted testing a number of times already. The car looks quite fresh and is designed on the lines of Tata’s IMPACT 2.0 design philosophy. It will come with well-equipped interiors which includes a 7-inch floating touchscreen, auto climate control, large MID and a flat bottom steering among others.
As for the powertrains, the Altroz will be equipped with Nexon’s 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine along with the naturally-aspirated version of this engine. It is also expected to get the 1.5-litre diesel engine from the Nexon, albeit in a lower state of tune. A 5-speed manual will do the transmission duties while an AMT too could be offered. When launched during the Diwali festive season this year, the car will rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno/Toyota Glanza and the Hyundai Elite i20 among others. Expect the pricing to be competitive with respect to its rivals.
Altroz EV
Expected launch timeline: Q1-Q2 2020
Tata also showcased the Altroz EV at the Geneva Motor Show. It shares its platform and design language with the Altroz premium hatchback but that’s where the similarities end. The Altroz EV will be powered by a Permanent Magnet AC Motor and will come with a single speed gearbox. The battery could be charged up to 80% in just 60 minutes, which will boost its everyday usage. Another noteworthy thing here is that the car will have an estimated range of about 250-300 km, which is quite decent going by the current EV standards in India. Expect the launching to be done somewhere in 2020, probably during the third quarter. As for the price, Tata is planning to put the base variant under Rs. 10 lakh price mark.
Harrier AT
Expected launch timeline: Q1 2020
Tata Harrier has been doing a brilliant job for Tata and has been holding the best selling title continuously since the past few months. It is offered with a 2.0-litre KRYOTEC diesel that has been derived from Fiat. The engine that develops a maximum power of 138 Bhp along with a peak torque of 350 Nm and comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. However, this is set to change as Tata will to launch the Harrier equipped with a 6-speed torque converter gearbox sourced from Hyundai in the Indian market in the first quarter of 2020 or maybe earlier. Apart from this, Tata is also expected to offer a petrol-powered Harrier in the market but that will happen at a much later date.
Cassini
Expected launch timeline: Q4 2019
When the Cassini will be launched by the end of this year, it will become the flagship vehicle of the company. The Cassini is based on the OMEGA platform and designed in accordance with the IMPACT 2.0 design philosophy. The wheelbase of both the SUVs is the same but the Cassini is much bigger in overall size. It will get powered by the same 2.0-litre KRYOTEC engine as on the Harrier, albeit with power output in the range of 170 Bhp. The major change on the Buzzard when compared to the Harrier is an extra row of seats, increased height and length, more powerful design and a different rear profile. Expect the pricing to start at around Rs. 14.5 lakh when it gets launched. As for the competition, the MG Hector, Mahindra XUV500 and the Jeep Compass will provide it with some challenge.
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