Tata Nexon - Compact SUV or Hatchback ??
This is the first question you will ask yourself when you look at the car. The car was first displayed at the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi and later unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo. Under the leadership of Pratap Bose, Head of Design, Tata Motors, Tata has launched a slew of cars to reclaim its foothold in the domestic market.
Under the ‘Impact Design Philoshopy’, Tata is pushing its boundaries and coming up with newer and ground breaking designs. And hence the question!!
The car has been slotted as a Compact SUV but can be termed SUV Coupe. Meaning it will not have the box like frame like its peers the Vitara Brezza , Ecosport of the Nuvosport. It will have the curves and slanting roof design like a coupe.
Has Tata succeeded design wise?? Yes. If you can accept the amalgamation of the SUV and Coupe design.
Design
The first thing you notice is that the car uses a multitude of colors. After the launch of the Nexon , Vitara Brezza will not be the only car to offer the dual color option in this segment.
The car has black A, B and C pillars and but not a floating roof concept. The roof is a grey/dark grey color. The rear design is very sporty with a protruding bumper which is again in a dual color. The roof spoiler adds to the sporty design.
The publicity pictures show a combination of blue, grey, black and white .. phew.. on a single car. But it is absolutely possible that Tata might offer different color combinations at the time of launch.
From the inside, much is carried forward from the earlier models from Tata. Tata cars are always known for their amazing leg space and this car is no different. A tad better than the Brezza and Ecosport. Ground clearance is 200 mm which is the same as the Ford Ecosport.
The car is not aimed as a people carrier but more for individuals, if the company is to be believed. And hence the rear seats are contoured in such a way that seating 5 becomes difficult.
Engine
The company has not yet revealed the details of the engine. But since the Fiat sourced 1.2 litre design engine will be low powered for a compact SUV, it is expected that the car will be powered by a 1.5 litre diesel engine and the petrol option will have a 1.2 litre aluminum engine.
It is expected that the company will offer 6 speed transmission with AMT option.
Important to know is that this will be the only car in its segment to offer Traction Control settings.
Summing it Up..
Tata is known to bring in products after the heat has cooled down. The compact SUV segment is hot , hot , hot right now and hopefully, this time Tata will not miss the bus and launch the car while the fancy is still on.
The car is expected to be priced in the Rs. 7-10 lac segment with launch slated for Feb-March 2017.