[Parm]

Originally Posted by aditya79india

^ Ahem, a rustic 4WD barebones vehicle with seats on a short wheelbase chassis is what was probably meant.

A La Defender 90, barebones?

I would utilize the existing Sumo/Sierra platform for this purpose.

[aditya79india]

Originally Posted by Parm

A La Defender 90, barebones?

I would utilize the existing Sumo/Sierra platform for this purpose.

Well, for cost control an old depreciated platform like Sumo/Sierra/Old Safari would be a good idea, but personally I'd much prefer a shortened Storme/Aria ladderframe simply for the massive ride/handling advantage. The Sumo/Sierra handled like boats!

Better cost control can be achieved by low tech engines. Maybe the 3.0 DICOR lump or even the old 1.9L 483DL with a new CRDI cyl head.

Should squeeze in for just about 5.0~5.5L if Behram Dhabhar Guruji is given a free hand

[madhu33]

Originally Posted by aditya79india

Should squeeze in for just about 5.0~5.5L if Behram Dhabhar Guruji is given a free hand

TATAs better not give Sir ji the free hand ... how can you expect expect a 3L engine or 1.9L(even if barebone ) @5L. if wishes were horses.
However , no offence, but somehting on this line would be really fantastic.

[prashanthyr]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Zest just got launched. (Sub 4m sedan)
Bolt is coming soon. (Premium hatch)
Kite is undergoing road testing. (Compact hatch)
Kite sedan has also been spotted wearing production clothes.(Compact Sub 4m sedan, if there is such a thing! )
Also in the pipeline is the hatchback with codename Pelican, to take on the Alto, and is supposed to have a diesel engine.
And the hatch based Nexon cross over.

All this based on some solid technologies like the new 1.2 Revotron petrol, AMT mated to the 1.3 diesel, a new 800cc diesel etc.

They have been guilty of ignoring every segment in the past. But currently - If the above is not considered a proper product offensive from TATA Motors, I dont know what is!

I agree, they are planning products across the entire spectrum, but my point is about priorities. Would you go after 8% of the market (SUV share of market as of Dec 14) or 50%+24% (hatchback + Sedan) market, especially when you are trying to win back lost sales and market share?

It is in this context I feel developing 2 new SUVs (am hoping this is essentially two versions of a platform) will consume unnecessary levels of bandwidth which can be better used for Kite / Pelican / Nexon / Eagle etc

Bottom line - I would love nothing better than seeing Tata as No1 in India

[aditya79india]

Originally Posted by madhu33

TATAs better not give Sir ji the free hand ... how can you expect expect a 3L engine or 1.9L(even if barebone ) @5L. if wishes were horses.
However , no offence, but somehting on this line would be really fantastic.

Well, wishing ofcourse! But let me state the logic.

The 2.2 VTT motor was designed from a clean sheet, with major inputs from AVL (they charge you an arm and a leg). This engine saw application on the Safari, Storme, Aria and Grande, all of which combined sold in very low volumes. Thus the unit cost of the 2.2 VTT engine is high.

Contrast this with the 1.9L 483DL. Designed in the late 80s, introduced on the original Sumo, it still soldiers on the Winger in 90BHp guise. The Sumo/Sierra/Old Safari/Winger combo have together sold several lacs of copies. Naturally all investment stands depreciated. All that is expected is a new cylinder head with CRDI at a marginal investment.

Similarly the 3.0L DICOR is based on the 407 LCV engine (shows in its NVH also). This torquey lump has been in service for donkeys no of yrs in its basic architecture. Similar arguments on investment depreciation. Since the motor is a mechanically simple unit, shouldn’t be too expensive to produce.
In a nutshell, both motors are expected to be much cheaper than the 2.2 VTT.

Hence my expectation of a sub 5.5 Lac price tag (soft top).

[Parm]

Bench mark for a petrol 4WD is Maruti Gypsy for Tata to consider.

Bench mark for a diesel 4WD is Mahindra Thar/Force Gurkha for Tata to consider.

The price/performance and specifications of the above mentioned vehicles is where BD sir should be working upon.

[fx45]

ACIs latest cover says "Tata Reborn" seems they've got some good info on Tata's future plans. They did a similar one for Maruti last year and that had some huge dope about Maruti's future.

A sub-20 lakh SUV based on the Defender would do wonders for Tata. But yes, for that, they need to have proper customer service setup as well.

[RavenAvi]

ACI reports, via an exclusive SCOOP, that the new Tata compact SUV (codenamed X104) will look like a mini Evoque!

Tata’s upcoming compact SUV, codenamed X104, will be styled to look “like a mini Evoque” say sources in the company.
The X104 compact SUV is based on the same X1 platform that also underpins the Bolt and the Zest. For that typical SUV look, the wheel arches will be enlarged to accommodate larger 17-inch wheels.
Mechanically, the X104 will also see the debut of Tata’s all-new 1.5-litre diesel motor that develops a good 110bhp, and a new six-speed manual gearbox designed to handle the extra power and torque.
There will be a petrol version as well powered by Tata’s in-house developed, 1.2-litre motor. This all-aluminum, three-cylinder engine is expected to produce around 75bhp.

SOURCE - ACI

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

ACI reports, via an exclusive SCOOP, that the new Tata compact SUV (codenamed X104) will look like a mini Evoque

The pic you have posted is of the Rexon which was a concept only. I doubt if X104 will look like this. At the very least it'll have 4 doors!

[aditya79india]

Contrary to earlier reports it now appears that the Q501/502 will be based on the latest LR Disco Sports, not the outgoing Freelander 2! At the lower end it would compete with the XUV500 and the Fortner at the top end.

Link to original article

[S2!!!]

Last year, we had reported that Tata Motors was rumored to be developing an SUV based on the Land Rover Freelander 2 (L359). Now, there are reports that this new SUV will be based on the same platform as the new Discovery Sport (L550). The L550 platform is a heavily modified derivative of the L359.

Link to news article

[i74js]

Finally opening up of roads for the next national engine. If this news is correct, several other players in the Indian market (including MSIL) would be keen to use this engine for their future offerings.

I am sure FIAT will not make a move towards introducing a new SUV / Car based on 2.0 litre MJD.

Cheers to Tata

[arulpeem]

Why would Tata Motors shun their own 2.2 Litre DICOR engine that is really a gem? It is very refined and gives a decent amount of power and is proven. It has done 95K in my Grande MKII without a single hitch. It is as refined now as it was after the run in period. Every one of my friends who have driven or been a passenger any sort of drive have all been surprised by this engine. Going for the 2.0 MJD would only increase the cost. Probably is lighter than the DICOR. Or may be FIAT is giving them such a good price and long term deal that they have decided to switch. But I will wait for two more years by when I plan to change my Grande MKII.

[sarathlal]

This is the rendering for Q501 from http://www.theophiluschin.com/?p=6597

[1100D]

Originally Posted by sarathlal

This is the rendering for Q501 from http://www.theophiluschin.com/?p=6597

Attachment 1356884

Attachment 1356885

Attachment 1356886

This looks like a photoshop on the Hexa concept

Would do wonders if they can actually bring something similar, but not very likely, they will keep drumming the Aria tune!