[rrsteer]

Originally Posted by greenhorn

A 'VFM' car that is expensive to own - now that's a problem.

I agree. Broadly in my head Tata had/has two broad issues. 1)Unappealing products. 2) Proposed VFM offerings that were potentially expensive to own

I think, with the Zest&Bolt Tata has got, in my thinking, the best looking cars in their respective segments. Also backed by very good initial specifications.

What now needs to be known is if these cars will be priced right - on which I have an inkling that they would be. And secondly, if they have sorted out their processes to produce a car which is, say a couple of levels more reliable/less troublesome than the current Vista or Manza.

I am not too worried on the A.S.S. front. Frankly an A.S.S is as good or bad as the product.

[ambujlal]

Very impressed at the evolution. I always loved Tata cars for the amount of space and comfort they give. Yeah, not big on quality but I have managed and lived with it for years. With Zest, I am sure they would have worked on niggles and it would give a peaceful ownership experience. I for one really don't care much about plastic quality and all, after all I don't keep touching it while driving.

If a vehicle makes me happy, that's what counts for me and not how and what my neighbors think about it. Yes, I may think of changing my CS with Zest. Looking forward to the market launch.

[ss212]

Tata took ages to come out with the Storme and that didn't turn out too well. I always had a soft corner for Tata and Safari had always been one of my most favourite cars (sorry, trucks). I mean, yes, mechanically it is much more advanced but it isn't the product people expected after the time Tata took to bring it out. To be honest, i was hoping Tata would bring mechanical changes to the Safari and leave the exterior as it was: with the Dicor face and the spare wheel on the tail gate but that wasn't what most people expected. They expected an all new SUV.

So when the news about Bolt and Zest started doing the rounds, i knew i shouldn't expect too much because they had worked on this for a relatively short period of time. Now that i have finally seen these products, i am more than just surprised. These guys have done a commendable job. Not too excited about the exterior as it seems more like a very good face lift for the current Vista. Anyway, they sure have done an excellent job of re skinning the same car. But the interior! Easily the best design in its class! I really hope the vehicle's dynamics match up to the hype. Zest in my opinion is the most aesthetically pleasing sub 4m sedan i have come across. Now it remains to be seen if Tata manages to ensure these vehicles are niggle free.

Being a Tata fan, it always annoyed me to witness Tata bashing on forums and in friend cirlces. I hope Tata has worked to change that.

It is extremely sad that Karl Slym isn't here to witness the outcome of his efforts.

I must accept. Its a good job in looks department.

Some con's i see.
- Alloys look good on both of these. But the gap in the wheel arches seems more to me.
- Skinny tires on Bolt.
- Second half of these cars resemble an Indica/Indigo.
- Tail lights are ugly on the sedan version. I didn't like them.

I really wish KARL to be alive. To see the launch of these cars. Without his inputs, i don't think such good looking cars could be made by Tata's.
A good sign for tata's but it needs to improve more. Still they haven't reached the global standards.

I believe Karl has fixed the quality issues with Tata cars. And i really hope that these two exceed Japnese cars reliability index.

I am NOT sure whether a manufacturer can ban the commercial usage. The ways they can try to prevent fleet operators from buying this are

1. Offer ONLY solid colors in the base variant - NO White / Silver
2. Kit up even the low variant well - power steering / all 4 power windows / ABS / Airbags etc
3. Retain Vista in stripped down form - Silver & White colors + AC + Power Steering
4. Probably offer 4 year warranty free with Vista
5. Keep atleast a 50K difference between Vista top variant & Bolt lowest variant.

Super like it. Except the 50K price gap.
Let the vista be alive alongside with these two new cars. Put the vista in the Cabbie's segment.
Ensure that these two new cars be specific to Non commercial customers.

[driving_smartly]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

It's NOT just GTO who covers all events. We have a bunch of Mods who usually cover the events - based on their availability if I am not wrong. @Parrys, though usually does it.

@ swiftnfurious

I am very well aware that bunch of moderators will cover this event. GTO's words clears it

"We're headed to Noida this evening for covering the 2014 Auto Expo"

========

BOLT and ZEST

• Tata has done a tremendous job.
• For an Indian car manufacturer to come out with this type of design, features, interiors & quality of materials used speaks for right kind of direction TATA's needed.
• Both, Bolt and Zest looks absolute beauty almost from all the dimensions

TATA's

• Price it aggressively below Swift and Dzire for initial few months.
• Market your product rightly.
• Give us niggle free product right from the beginning

Hope they are able to replicate the same quality and design in other products to follow.

[archangelvishal]

This has to be the most eagerly awaited launch of 2014. Moreso,as these cars will redefine Tata Motors and how the general public percieve this desi brand. One look at the launch photos of the Bolt and Zest and I was like ...WOW. the cars look similar to Vista, but then again they look very different too. The front grill and bodywork looks nice and refreshing. the hatch and taillights are more appealing than before. The dashboard and Harman infotainment system are very premium looking. Just waiting to see the car in flesh.

The Horizon surely does look brighter for Tata.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by driving_smartly

@ swiftnfurious

I am very well aware that bunch of moderators will cover this event. GTO's words clears it

"We're headed to Noida this evening for covering the 2014 Auto Expo"

...

There is some confusion I guess. You quoted a post which enquired about why the unveiling event (Feb 03) was NOT covered by t-bhp.

I quoted your post thinking you meant to say "The mods did NOT cover the unveiling event as they headed out to Auto Expo.

Neither @Latheesh nor I was actually referring to the Auto Expo unveiling, rather the actual unveiling that happened yesterday.

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by greenhorn

A 'VFM' car that is expensive to own - now that's a problem.

What do you have to say about Hyundai's? VFM and expensive to maintain as well and they don't have problems selling their cars.

[driving_smartly]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

There is some confusion I guess. You quoted a post which enquired about why the unveiling event (Feb 03) was NOT covered by t-bhp.

I quoted your post thinking you meant to say "The mods did NOT cover the unveiling event as they headed out to Auto Expo.

Neither @Latheesh nor I was actually referring to the Auto Expo unveiling, rather the actual unveiling that happened yesterday.

Thanks swiftnfurious for making the matter clear

Yes, some confusion on my part and i am extremely sorry for the same

[djoel99]

I don't understand why everybody want it to be priced less than Swift or Dzire (Bolt & Zest).

I dont want it to be priced lower than swift or Dzire. By that way they would have to compromise on quality or feature. Which non of us want at this point.

Best of luck Tata Motor.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by djoel99

I don't understand why everybody want it to be priced less than Swift or Dzire (Bolt & Zest)...

If they price it at par, majority will choose Swift / Dzire over this, part quality parameter NOT withstanding.

TATA has to belt out products with very high quality for a good time before they gain the lost ground and to be treated at par with Maruti. They do have quite some negative reputation to get over.

If you see Hyundai, Grand i10 was priced lower than Swift in spite of the extra space / better quality etc. That's the way you can get potential customers to think about your product too.

Aria made a very good case study for pricing at par / above the segment leader, with the additional features, better quality etc.

[bigben]

I was looking at the interior snaps and noticed this button on the dash.
Wow! Sports mode? I wonder what changes this little button will bring about.

[BusyBoyKK]

An interesting design and in the right direction. Neat and refreshing interiors.

I think, blackening the C pillar till the upper line of window would have completed its design (picture 1) than leaving it like as it is now (picture 2).

[chittybang]

Originally Posted by BusyBoyKK

I think, blackening the C pillar till the upper line of window would have completed its design

Bang on. This minor change helps reduce the vista appearance to a large extent on the side profile. Love the idea.