It has been a while since Tata Motors is aiming to improve its lost market share in the Indian car market. However, the company failed to capture the market amidst increasing demand for budget cars in the country. I personally feel that Tata Motors never took design, interior styling seriously, as failed to make capable cars. It seems like Tata Motors seriously trying hard to achieve its ambitious plan of capturing major chunk of Indian market. At the 2014 Delhi Motor Show, the homegrown auto major showcased the Zest, the Bolt and Nexon out of which, the Zest compact sedan will first come in August.
Undoubtedly, the Zest compact sedan is the best looking Tata Car in India. With Tata Zest, the homegrown auto maker is aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for compact sedans in the country. This vehicle is equipped with some capable engine options, high end features and comfortable cabin.
Tata Motors has the ability to compete against the likes of Maruti Suzuki in the country. The simple reason behind this is that Tata has the second largest dealership network. Moreover, the majority of Maruti buyers come from semi-urban and rural region where Tata also has good dealership network. The Tata Zest will compete against the likes of Suzuki Swift Dzire, Hyundai Xcent and Honda Amaze.
Engine Specification and Transmission
Tata Zest compact sedan will come in both petrol and diesel fuel options. The gasoline model is equipped with a 1.2-litre Revotron engine which is an all-new turbocharged engine which is claimed to offer high performance, power and fuel efficiency. This engine is capable of developing a top power output of 89bhp and a peak torque of 140Nm. Interestingly, the Revotron engine provide multi-drive modes- Sports, Economy and City. This engine is paired to a five-speed manual transmission gearbox which sends the power to front wheels of the sedan.
On the other, the Tata Zest compact sedan is the country’s first ever diesel powered car to feature automated manual transmission (AMT). The oil burner has the 1.3-litre Multi-Jet engine that is capable of developing a top power output of 89bhp and a peak torque of 200Nm.
Exterior
For the first time, Tata Motors look like giving special attention to design part and is clearly visible in the Zest compact sedan. This compact sedan features the company’s new design language and is designed with inputs from Tata’s design studios in Pune, Coventry (UK) and Turin (Italy). The front fascia of the Zest compact sedan has the same ingredients which also accentuates the Bolt hatchback. It has the large chrome grille flanked by projector headlamps. The large bumper features triangular fog lamps and double slat air intake. The C-pillar size in Zest is larger than its competitors; however, it is designed in a manner to offer a slopping roofline. The side profile gets aerodynamic creases running across the length. The flared wheel arches of the Zest sedan have been fitted to 15 and 16-inch alloy wheels. At the back, the Zest features wrap around tail lamps and chrome strip over the boot lid. Aerodynamic curves further enhance the overall look of Zest sedan.
Interiors
The interiors of the Tata Zest compact sedan are one of the best in its league and clearly the most comfortable Tata Motors ever introduced. Based on the thoroughly modified X1 platform that also underpins the Vista hatchback, the Zest’s interior styling looks much more appealing than other Tata Cars. The company has given smart changes to this compact sedan which now features black and optional colour combination scheme, silver inserts, newly formulated instrument cluster with integrated multi-information display, new three-spoke steering wheel, new AC vents, etc.
Tata Zest features
This compact sedan is loaded with several high end features such as EPAS with active return function and speed sensitive power steering developed by ZF. It has an advanced infotainment system including Harman infotainment system with MapmyIndia navigation, 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, smart voice recognition, advanced smartphone integration and others.
Launch date: 12 August 2014
Expected Price: Rs. 5-7.5 lakh.
