Tata Nexon unveiled at the AutoExpo
Tata motors’ much anticipated revival begins here. Making its world premiere at the Expo the Nexon is a compact SUV based on a heavily revised Indica Vista platform, similar to what underpins the Zest and Bolt. The production version of the Nexon will compete against the likes of Ford’s EcoSport and Renault’s Duster in addition to the scores of compact SUVs displayed at the Auto Expo.
Visually, the Nexon compact SUV concept does have Indica-esque design cues but is more rugged due to the flared wheelarches, blacked out scuff plate on the bumpers, sloping roofline and rising beltline all of which endow the concept with a crossover look. Larger wheels and a higher ground clearance also lend a tougher image. Being 4000mm in length the Nexon will be eligible for the tax exemptions for sub four-metre cars; other dimensions are 1730mm width, 1600mm height and 2540mm wheelbase.
The front of the concept looks production ready and features a new Tata family face (gone is the smiley grille) and is suitably butch for a pseudo-SUV. The rest of the compact SUV including the futuristic interiors will be toned down considerably as it enters production.
The interiors also feature Tata’s new ‘ConnectNext’ philosophy which translates to an array of connectivity solutions including but not limited to Bluetooth calling, live music streaming, smartphone integration, navigation and maps. The Nexon will have the new Revotron 4-pot 1.2-litre turbopetrol engine which is uprated to 108bhp and 170Nm of peak torque mated to Tata’s new F-tronic 5-speed automated manual transmission. Tata claims an impressive fuel economy of 17.8kmpl and an ability to reach a top whack of 180kmph. The diesel will be the Fiat sourced 1.3-litre Multijet making 90bhp and in time could also get the larger 1.6 Multijet that is slated to be made in India. While a concept the Nexon is definitely slated for production and will hit showrooms in the next 12 months, adding to Tata Motors’
revival that starts with the Zest and Bolt on the following pages.
