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Old 5th February 2014, 22:27   #1
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Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

Mod Note: Team-BHP's Tata Zest Review has been taken live at this link. Please discuss the Tata Zest on the review thread.


A look at the Tata Motor's Pavilion.

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05506.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05507.jpg

Don't know the message that Tata's trying to send out, but there was no Aria, Manza, Vista etc. on display

Last edited by GTO : 4th August 2014 at 10:59.
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Old 5th February 2014, 23:00   #2
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

I usually start off my reports with the most important cars on top, and I expected it's going to be the Zest & Bolt this time.

However, the Storme Ladakh edition just left us drooling. It's a masterpiece by the Tata Motors Design Team, with presence that beats SUVs costing 2X / 3X as much. Tasteful, butch and sexy...see one, want one.

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-0.jpg

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Closer look at the headlamps:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-5.jpg

Don't miss the LEDs:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-5b.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-5c.jpg

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Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-5e.jpg

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Right next to her was a neat looking Sumo 4x4. Power comes from the familiar 3.0L CR4. 84 BHP & 250 Nm torque means not enough go to match the show.

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-sumo-1.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-sumo-2.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-sumo-3.jpg

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Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-sumo-5.jpg

Fabulous wheel arch treatment:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-sumo-6.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 5th February 2014 at 23:49.
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Old 6th February 2014, 00:07   #3
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

The Bolt is quite a good looking hatchback. Neutral styling & contemporary lines, albeit it won't stand out of the crowd either (something which, perhaps, Tata needs). The new skin makes it hard to believe that it's based on the Vista.

Power comes from Tata's new 1.2L turbo-petrol motor and the familiar 1.3L MJD. Good on Tata to finally drop the "Indica" name altogether (link). They're going to have to work hard at rebuilding a product's fresh identity though. The Bolt is an unknown name, competing against the 10-year strong Swift brand.

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-1.jpg

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Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-2a.jpg

Sharp projector headlamps:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-3.jpg

Thank God, the x'mas tree lights are gone:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-4.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-4a.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-4b.jpg

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Last edited by GTO : 6th February 2014 at 00:26.
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Old 6th February 2014, 00:35   #4
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

Tata introduced India to the sub-4 meter sedan concept with the Indigo CS. However, due to a variety of reasons, others like the Dzire, Amaze etc. emerged with more success. This is the CS' spiritual successor. Compared to the Bolt, the Zest will run a higher tune diesel (89 BHP) and have the automated manual tranny, a segment first. The car gives you 3 options of driving modes: Economy, Cruze & Sport.

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-1.jpg

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Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-5.jpg

DRLs too:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-6.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-7.jpg

Typical of Tata cars, the ground clearance appears generous:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-8.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-9.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05537.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05692.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 6th February 2014 at 01:00.
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Old 6th February 2014, 01:13   #5
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

You'd never have guessed this is actually a demo seat for Tata's next generation of AVN (audio, video, navigation) systems:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-1.jpg

Once seated, you'll see the head-unit & climate control:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-2.jpg

This head-unit is already in use in the Zest. The display is a touchscreen. Here, it's connected to an Android phone, showing its navigation app:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05576.jpg

Download the free App on your phone to control the stereo & climate control from the back seat:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05580.jpg

HVAC display & controls on the head-unit:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05581.jpg

Full song details shown (including album art):
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05582.jpg

You can optimise the sound based on your seating position. Simply click the chair you're seated in:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05583.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 6th February 2014 at 01:22.
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Old 6th February 2014, 01:35   #6
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

The Nexon compact SUV concept is based on the X1 platform (same as the Bolt & Zest). It's merely a concept at this stage, but provides a glimpse into the design language Tata might adopt. This is Tata's design team having fun, letting their creativity flow.

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-1.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-2.jpg

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Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-6a.jpg

ORVMs are so passe, cameras anyone?
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-6b.jpg

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Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-7a.jpg

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Oddly enough, the oil & washer fillers were located outside the vehicle (below the windscreen):
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-11.jpg

This Connect-Next concept doesn't bother much about the exteriors. Rather, it's designers are focused on how car <-> human interaction will evolve:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-connect-next-1.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-connect-next-2.jpg

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Last edited by GTO : 6th February 2014 at 01:52.
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Old 6th February 2014, 02:00   #7
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

Tata & Mahindra, both, wanted to give us a glimpse of how their design department works. So, a bunch of designers simply carried their gadgets & tools to the Expo:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05601.jpg

I'm told that free-hand drawing is still cherished by these talented professionals:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05602.jpg

Highly sensitive Wacom digital drawing tablet:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05604.jpg

To get a feel of different colours on a certain body style:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05606.jpg

Curved panels are also used to get a feel of the colour:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05608.jpg

Early sketches of the Bolt & Zest:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05609.jpg

Experimenting with controls:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05611.jpg

Like the modified Storme in the opening post? Here's where it started:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05616.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05614.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 6th February 2014 at 02:07.
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Old 6th February 2014, 02:11   #8
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

Nano cutaway, kitted with an automated manual transmission:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05596.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05598.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05599.jpg

Tata & Mahindra, both, had interesting merchandise on sale:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05728.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05729.jpg

A watch branded 'Nano'....
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05730.jpg

....or pretty much any Tata car you can think of. Take your pick:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05731.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05732.jpg

Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05733.jpg

JLR wouldn't be too far behind when we're talking of licensed goods:
Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014-dsc05735.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 6th February 2014 at 02:17.
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Old 6th February 2014, 02:34   #9
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Lovely coverage GTO!

Although i must be the only one who is not falling head over heels with the new Tata designs.The front of the Bolt and Zest remind me of the new Kia's.And the rear of both look wierdly pinched.Bolt rear looks like a bulked up Nano.

Interiors are top notch though and very clean and neat.

Ladakh edition look a bit overkill IMO and the bulked up Sumo is trying a bit too much.

Nevertheless,i hope and i am sure the Bolt and Zest mark the turn around Tata desperately needed.Good job!

Last edited by avishar : 6th February 2014 at 02:36.
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Old 6th February 2014, 03:25   #10
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

First up, great job on some awesome coverage here. I'm surprised seeing the lack of crowds - in 2010, on the media day, it was simply overflowing, with no space to shoot anything!

Coming to the cars, I'll have to disagree here - i like the Zest but the bolt screams vista from a mile away (esp side profile and front 3/4ths)! I quite like the AMT introduction in the Zest. Can you post some interior pics of the Zest showing how the central console/gear lever area will now look like?

Even their concepts, look too far out, to be taken seriously. Unlike the Ecosport, which was delivered by Ford, exactly like what we saw in the 2012 Auto Expo.

The 4WD sumo looks ordinary. I mean cars have been having the 4 roof mounted lights in India for a decade- just a sharp paint job together with MT tyres doesn't do much for me though.
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Old 6th February 2014, 10:55   #11
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by phamilyman View Post
i like the Zest but the bolt screams vista from a mile away (esp side profile and front 3/4ths)!
The Bolt does look very Vista-ish! The only angle from which it looks totally different is from the rear and ofcourse the interiors.

However, for me atleast that is not a bad thing as I always liked the look of the Vista.
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Old 6th February 2014, 11:04   #12
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

Since they have not changed the roof-line and the hood the Bolt will always look very much like the Vista. However the removal of the X-mas tree tail lights is a welcome move. A bit of wrap-around effect for the tail lamps would have made the rear a bit more interesting.

Storme mods look like after market modifications - also a bit over the top

But the Tata stall shows intent
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Old 6th February 2014, 11:16   #13
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by phamilyman View Post
. I mean cars have been having the 4 roof mounted lights in India for a decade
Aren't these light illegal? I am under the impression that any lights above the eye level of a normal man is outlawed currently.
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Old 6th February 2014, 11:25   #14
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

Thanks GTO for the superb coverage.

I liked the Safari Ladakh edition.

Zest to me looks well thought of and well made car. Bolt overall looks fine; but for the rear end, especially tail lights.
As always, Tatas have been very generous in interior space and I doubt it would be any different in these two new launches.
AMT is something I am eagerly waiting for. Having driven a Tata for last seven years, and without any complains; I am more than keen to see the AMT for real.
That adds to another choice for me in my buying decision.
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Old 6th February 2014, 11:30   #15
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Re: Tata Motors @ Auto Expo 2014

I am really overwhelmed with the honest attempt on the make over of the cars by Tata Motors. The interiors especially have been a sea change.. I am proud to see my homeland company making such genuine efforts. My next car would be a Tata!

Thanks for the excellent coverage GTO. I love this.
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