We reported earlier that Tata Motors is working on a new hatchback, codenamed Kite, which will be positioned between the Nano and the Indica. The homegrown auto maker has started testing the Kite hatchback on Indian roads. The vehicle has been spotted during its test rounds just outside Tata Motors’ Pimpri factory.
It was speculated that the Tata Kite will be a tall-boy hatchback; however, pictures revealed that the vehicle will be shorter than the Nano hatchback. The small hatchback is based on the thoroughly modified X1 platform, which also underpins the Bolt and Zest compact sedan. This model will compete against the likes of Datsun Go, Maruti Alto K10, Celerio and Hyundai Eon/i10.
The Tata Kite will go on sale in 2015, and is likely to be offered in both petrol and diesel engine options. If media reports are to be believed, the company will install its new Revotron engine family. This model is also speculated to get F-TRONIC automated manual transmission. Maruti Suzuki will also introduce the Alto K10 with AMT gearbox next year. The detuned version of the 1.2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine could power the Kite hatchback.
The new Tata Kite hatchback is likely to consume the unused capacity of the company’s manufacturing unit in Sanand, Gujarat. This production unit has a capacity of developing 2.5 lakh cars a year; however, the company only managed to consume 10 per cent of that number.
Image Courtesy: Cartoq
