Tata Motors has confirmed that the new sub-compact SUV will make global debut tomorrow. The new micro SUV has been teased officially, and is called the Tata HBX. Internally called the Tata Hornbill, the new micro SUV was first showcased as the H2X concept at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. The company had showcased the HBX concept at the Auto Expo 2020.
The teaser also confirms that the production version of the new micro SUV will continue to be called the Tata HBX. For the first time, the company has decided to use the concept’s name for the production model. The SUV has already been spotted several times in production avatar, which suggests that the HBX micro SUV is ready to launch.
The Tata HBX micro SUV looks largely identical to the concept, except for the few changes. The front design is inspired by Tata Harrier, featuring split headlamp setup with sleek LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) on the top and main headlamp unit lower on the bumper. The sleek LED DRLs are integrated into the upper grille.
The SUV will have a chrome underlining for the upper front grille and DRLs, and the lower grille has inverted tri-arrow design on the mesh. The HBX gets sporty bumper that has fog lamps and wider air-intakes. There is a black plastic cladding that runs across the width of the micro SUV. Other design highlights will include blacked out pillar, and floating roofline. The top-spec model will get dual-tone colour option. The production-ready Tata HBX will get machine-cut alloy wheels, LED tail-lights, rear-door handles on C-pillars, a roof-integrated spoiler with brake lights, ORVMs with integrated blinkers, etc.
The Tata HBX will be based on the ALFA modular platform that underpins the Altroz hatchback. The concept measures 3,840mm in length, 1,822mm in width and 1,635mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,450mm. The spy images confirm that the interior of the production version of the micro SUV will remain true to its concept. The HBX production model gets a floating touchscreen infotainment system, a multi-functional steering wheel, fabric seats, Harman audio system, semi-digital instrument console, ambient lighting, ABS with EBD, cornering stability, parking sensors, etc.
The HBX micro SUV is most likely to be offered with two petrol engine options – a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol and a 1.2L turbocharged petrol. Transmission choices are likely to include a 5-speed manual and an AMT unit. The micro SUV could also receive drive modes. It will rival the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and the upcoming Hyundai Casper.
