Tata Motors is working hard to improve its market share in the Indian car market. The company is aiming to change its brand image by introducing a series of new and appealing products in the market. At the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, the company unveiled the Zest compact sedan and the Bolt hatchback which are scheduled to be launched by the second half of 2014. The hatchback looks far better than the Vista model and is ready to compete against the likes of Maruti Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 and others.
Exteriors
The Tata Bolt hatchback is based on the thoroughly modified X1 platform which also underpins the Vista hatch. This time the car manufacturer has seriously re-engineered its cars to cater to the buyers. The company aims to offer a more aggressive and sportier appeal to the hatchback. Despite being based on the existing Vista’s chassis, the company managed to make it look appealing and futuristic. The Bolt hatchback gets aggressive fascia with carved front bumper. The new grille with familiar Tata emblem is complemented by the stretched headlamps with integrated projectors.
The side profile of the hatchback features an aggressive character line that runs across the length. Its flared wheel arches have been fitted to a newly formulated alloy wheels. Its short C-pillar gives it a floating roofline effect. The company has ditched the Christmas tree arrangements of taillights, and the new one looks more conventional and appealing. Grown by 30mm, the Bolt hatchback offers spacious interior. However, the wheelbase of the car remains identical to the Vista hatch.
Interiors
Inside the cabin, the Tata Bolt is spacious and has enough legroom and headroom space to accommodate a six-footer. The vehicle gets newly designed dashboard, and what impresses the most is the quality of material and fit & finish. It is equipped with dual-tone steering wheel and big, smartly designed dials. The vents and centre console positioning is driver friendly, while the use of piano black trim, chrome embellishments and silver lining enhances the cabin ambience. Tata Motors specially gave attention to the quality of material used, as the switch gears for the infotainment system, air-con knobs, and the steering wheel feels rich. The vehicle also has decent cubbyholes such as cup holders, door pockets and a big glovebox.
The Tata Bolt is equipped with lot of gizmos such as touchscreen developed by Harman, sat-nav, Bluetooth, voice recognition system, power steering with controls mounted on it, parking sensors, climate control and many more.
Engine & Transmission
The Tata Bolt hatchback will come in both petrol and diesel guise. The gasoline model will be powered by the new turbocharged, 1.2-litre Revotron petrol mill that is capable of developing 84bhp and a peak torque of 140Nm. Despite being a turbocharged model, it only managed to offer 84bhp while its contemporary 1.2L i-VTEC engine that powers the Brio hatchback develops 88bhp. What impresses the most is its excellent 140Nm of torque. This engine also comes equipped with a first-in-segment ‘Sport’ mode which can be accessed via a button on the dashboard. The oil burner will be propelled by the tried and tested Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multi-jet engine that churns out a maximum power output of 74bhp and 190Nm of torque. Both the engines will be paired to a five-speed manual transmission gearbox, while the diesel model is expected to get the AMT (automated manual transmission) gearbox.
Launch Date: January 22, 2015
Price: Rs. 4.5-7 lakh.
