Tata launches Zest at Rs 4.64 lakh ex-Delhi
Tata’s replacement for the Indigo CS, the Tata Zest, launched at Rs 4.64 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, isn’t just a facelift. It’s a whole new car, with a new philosphy, Tata’s Horizonext, which Tata has led us to believe, underlines everything new about the Zest. The compact sedan has been developed through 11 centres in 5 countries with help of 6,000 engineers. Test mules had been spotted in and around Pune for the longest while and bookings for the Zest have already begun. The sedan shares its heavily modified X1 platform with its soon-to-be-launched hatchback sibling, the Bolt.
The new Zest comes with a total of nine variants with three engine options. The lowest-spec diesel XE trim is powered by the Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre with a fixed geometery turbo that develops 74bhp and 190Nm while the more expensive trims — XM, XMS (XMSA) and XT — gets the same engine with a variable geometery turbo that develops 89bhp and 200Nm. The petrol motor is the much publicised 1.2-litre Revotron engine that produces 89bhp and 140Nm of torque from 1750 to 3500rpm. The big talking point is the multiple modes for the ECU, done in partnership with Bosch, and endorsed by Narain Karthikeyan. The Revotron engine and the FGT 1.3-litre Quadrajet are mated to a five-speed manual trnasmission while the 89bhp diesel is offered with a five-speed manual or a five-speed automated manual transmission for the XMSA F-Tronic variant. For our quick drive report, click here.
Tata has endowed the Zest with an impressive features list as even the base variant gets ORVM mounted indicators, alloy wheels, central locking, gear shift indicator and power steering. Except for the base XE trim, all other variants ABS and rear power windows. The top-spec XMS and XT variants get dual front airbags as well, making the Zest XMS the most affordable car in the segment with ABS and airbags. The Zest is offered in six colours — platinum silver, sky grey, buzz blue, dune beige, pristine white and venetian red.
Tata is offering a 3 year/1,00,000km warranty, along with a 3 year/45,000 km maintenance package and free 3yr 24x7 roadside assistance. It seems like a substantial package and with base petrol variant costing Rs 30,000 less than the Hyundai Xcent, Rs 40,000 less than the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, and Rs 80,000 less than the Honda Amaze, the Zest has been priced very competitively. Throw in the fact that Tata now has a sub-Rs 10 lakh automatic diesel (a first for India), it may be that the Indian manufacturer has a money-spinner on its hands.
VariantPrice (ex-showroom, Delhi)Revotron 1.2T XERs 4.64 lakhRevotron 1.2T XMRs 5.25 lakhRevotron 1.2T XMSRs 5.43 lakhRevotron 1.2T XTRs 5.99 lakhQuadrajet 1.3L XERs 5.64 lakhQuadrajet 1.3L XMRs 6.27 lakhQuadrajet 1.3L XMSRs 6.45 lakhQuadrajet 1.3L XMSA F-TronicRs 6.99 lakhQuadrajet 1.3L XTRs 6.99 lakh
