Tata Zest final test mules spotted before launch
We spotted the upcoming Zest compact sedan testing on the Pune-Kolhapur highway, in what seems like a final test mule prior to launch. The car was first showcased at the Auto Expo in Delhi this past February. The pictures suggest that there’s little change in terms of the exterior design. Considering that the ORVMs are not body coloured and there are no projector headlamps, we expect the test mule is a lower-spec model. The front splitter seems to be missing, which added a really sporty touch to the Expo show car, and we expect will be available on the top-spec car. The lower grille is now trapezoidal, compared to the hexagonal design displayed earlier. Tata has also carried out some typical cost-cutting measures like fitting skinnier tyres. The overall design is still pleasing and shows significant resemblance to its hatchback sibling, the Bolt.
The Zest will run Tata’s new Revotron 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, which produces 84bhp of power and 200Nm of torque, while the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel unit is carried over from the Manza. The Zest belongs to Tata Motors’ upgraded Vista X1 platform and is part of Tata’s HorizonNext initiative. Tata Motors says this a four-pronged customer-focused strategy which includes intense product focus, focus on world-class manufacturing practices, enriched customer purchase experience and consistent quality of service.
Tata is taking earnest steps toward brand-building; the company’s cars are often associated with taxis or call centre transport. Sales haven’t been great either, as apparent from their February 2014 sales advice. Tata sold 35,315 cars in the domestic market compared to 58,002 during the same period in 2013, which is a decline of 39 per cent. The announcement saw a decline of 3 per cent in company’s share price.
The Maruti-Suzuki Dzire, Honda Amaze and now Hyundai Xcent are prominent players in the increasingly popular compact sedan segment, which the Zest will play in. Maruti sold 18,353 units of the Dzire in March 2014, while Honda managed 6030. The Xcent, — a recent entrant — also received very good response with 11,000 bookings in a span of one month. Compared to these cars, the Zest has a host of features and equipment which demand attention, like the first-in-class turbo petrol engine, Harman infotainment system, segment-first multiple driving modes which allow for sport or efficiency-biased engine response.
Tata Motors has pulled out all the stops with the Zest. It all depends on the timing of the launch and the price.
