The Tata Harrier mid-sized SUV is currently available in a single diesel engine option. However, the SUV’s direct rivals are offered with petrol and diesel fuel options. The company is developing a new 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which will be first introduced in the Harrier. The Tata Harrier petrol version has already been caught testing multiple times.
It is reported that a new 1.6-litre petrol engine in the works. The petrol engine will be a direct-injection (DI) unit, which will be more powerful, efficient and release less emissions compared to the MPFI (Multi Point Fuel Injection) engines. This will be Tata Motors’ first direct-injection unit. It is expected to produce around 160bhp of power and close to 250Nm of torque.
Several auto makers such as Hyundai and Honda are already offering direct injection engines in India. In fact, Mahindra has also introduced the new 2.0-litre direct injection engine, which powers the new Thar.
Previous reports suggest that the new Tata petrol engine will be a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This 1.5L direct-injection turbo petrol engine is reportedly to be a 4-cylinder version of the 1.2L Revotron turbo engine that powers the Nexon compact SUV. This engine is likely to produce power in excess of 150bhp. The new Tata Harrier petrol engine will come with multiple drive modes. The company could also introduce an automatic version of the Harrier and the Safari at a later stage. It will come with paddle shifters and Sport mode.
The Tata Harrier petrol will rival the Jeep Compass Petrol, the upcoming new-gen Mahindra XUV500 and the MG Hector. While the Compass is equipped with a 163bhp, 1.4L turbo-petrol unit, the Hector gets a 143bhp, 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The new-gen Mahindra XUV500 will receive a new 2.0-litre mStallion engine that produces up to 190bhp of power and 380Nm of torque.
At a later stage, the Tata Harrier petrol will come with a hybrid system. This will help the engine to meet the upcoming CAFE II norms in 2022. The new Tata Harrier petrol is expected to be launched by the end of this year. The current model is equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that produces 173bhp of power and 350Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic.
