Tata Motors is planning to foray into the micro SUV segment with an all-new model – Tata Hornbill. Codenamed Tata X445, the new mini SUV was earlier reported to hit roads in 2022. According to a latest report, the home-grown carmaker has preponed its launch to 2021. The all-new Tata Hornbill will be put up against the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and the Mahindra KUV100. Read – Tata To Launch India’s Most Affordable Performance Cars
Mayank Pareek, president of the passenger vehicle division at Tata Motors, remained tight lipped about the company’s product plan and details. However, he said that over 1 million of Indian hatchback buyers have upgraded to higher segment and almost 58 percent of the customers replace their vehicles in every six years. Therefore, there is a good space for small or micro SUV. Read: 5 Reasons To Buy Tata Nexon
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The new Tata Hornbill will be based on the AMP (Advanced Modular Platform) that will also be used in Tata’s upcoming 45X hatchback and a new mid-size sedan. While the hatchback will hit our shores sometime next year, the mid-size sedan might see a release in 2020.
As mentioned above, the details of the Tata Hornbill (Tata X445) micro SUV are yet to be revealed by the carmaker. It is likely to carry typical small SUV characteristics such as a high seating position and tall stance. Tata might use a BS6 compliant, turbocharged petrol engine for the new micro SUV. However, this powertrain will make the vehicle an expensive deal as compared to its rivals. Check Out – Upcoming Tata Cars in India
Rumor also has it that the company might use the refined version of the 1.2-litre petrol engine borrowed from the Tata Tiago or introduce an all-new powertrain. Transmission options will include a manual and automated versions of the TA65 5-speed gearbox. Just so you know, the arch rivals of the Tata Hornbill (Tata X445) – i.e. Maruti Ignis and Mahindra KUV100 – lack turbo petrol engine.
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