The Tata Nexon has been the brand’s best selling SUV ever since it was launched a couple of years ago. With competition rising, it’s now time for the Nexon to get a mid life makeover. This is exactly what seems to be on Tata Motors’ mind as well, given the fact that the automaker has begun testing a facelifted version of the Nexon. The facelifted Tata Nexon is likely to be showcased at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo, followed by an official launch later next year.
Spyshots courtesy GaadiWaadi
The first spyshots of the facelifted Nexon reveal that the front end will get quite a few changes. The headlamps are likely to get reshaped and the compact SUV is expected to derive some design inspiration from big brother Harrier. Needless to say, the facelifted Nexon will be Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms compliant, and will be offered with both petrol and diesel engine options.
The 6 speed manual and AMT options will be carried over on both the engines, underscoring the Nexon’s unique advantage of offering both petrol and diesel engines. The SUV is also expected to gain a high performance JTP trim, like the Tiago and Tigor models. What remains to be seen though is whether Tata Motors will offer the JTP trim on the petrol or the diesel version of the SUV. As for features on the inside, the facelifted Nexon is likely to get even more stuffed.
Additional airbags are highly likely given the fact that the Nexon is already viewed as a safe and sturdily built vehicle. Adding more airbags will only make the SUV safer. Currently, the Nexon sold in India gets twin airbags, ABS, a tough body shell, reverse parking sensors, speed alerts and a reverse parking camera on the top-end trims. The Nexon is India’s only affordable SUV with a 5 star Global NCAP crash test rating.
The current Nexon is built at the Tata-Fiat manufacturing plant in Ranjangaon, and this is expected to be the case with the facelifted model as well. Tata Motors has also confirmed that a electric variant of the Nexon is in the works. The Tata Nexon Electric could also be launched next year as Tata Motors’ first electric SUV. The Nexon Electric is likely to have a range of over 200 Kms, and is expected to be priced Rs. 2-4 lakhs more than the petrol/diesel models. It will have a CVT automatic gearbox as standard, and will take on the Mahindra XUV300 Electric, which is also lined up for launch next year. The Nexon and XUV300 Electric SUVs are likely to be pitched mainly at city SUV buyers.
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