[scorpion_blore]

Originally Posted by dbaapps

Has 420 Liter boot (Segment Topper)
Better Fuel Economy than TATA Indigo CS.

The excess boot space and high FE would definitely attract the taxi segment. I guess we would be seeing more of this being used by Ola and Uber drivers.

[Latheesh]

Boot space is 420 litres with big opening. In addition to this boot opening mechanism is unique (+gas struts) comparing to other compact sedans. Mechanism does not intrude in to luggage space at all. Watch it in action between 2.00-2.35 min.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgtHSCS7jyQ

[teemus]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

Boot space is 420 litres with big opening. In addition to this boot opening mechanism is unique (+gas struts) comparing to other compact sedans. Mechanism does not intrude in to luggage space at all.

That is pretty neat, thanks for the video!

So it's a different kind of notchback with the rear windshield fixed; but looks very practical this. Nice work there!

One question though, notchbacks are typically 3 box designs, so is it the same? That means no tumbling 2nd row seat, right?

[King_pin09]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

There's also a 4m+ premium sedan being tested right now, which would take on the Honda City/Maruti-Suzuki Ciaz. Prototypes of the same should be seen on the roads soon. It's a fantastic looker inside out.

This one should be the pick of the bunch. The ciaz has been able to dethrone convincingly the erstwhile king of C2 segment, the City, because of its more practicality (fuel efficiency, safety, features etc) and reasonable pricing.

Tata, for sure, would be working to figure out ways to undercut the ciaz in terms of pricing while offering similar or even more features. The Tata, which do not enjoy as much a brand image as does a Honda or even a Maruti in the passenger car market, has to go out of way to pull premium customers to its showrooms.

Best of luck TATA.

[Chetan_Rao]

That boot mechanism should be standard for compact sedans, neat trick!

Ford had gas struts in Aspire demo models but omitted it in the production run, compromising boot space. Same story with DZire if I remember right.

If this can push CS manufacturers towards standardizing gas-strut boot mechanisms, better for everyone

[Khushrav]

How about a non-confirming Kite variant with all the bells and whistles? Bigger, badder tyres, more grunt in the engine, DRL, Glass roof and all the other toys? If this were introduced with 150,000 premium over the other top variant, would it command more interest and generate more footfalls?

With the Tiago they have a winner and another potential winner in the Hexa. Can they make it three in a row?

[arjab]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

In addition to this boot opening mechanism is unique (+gas struts) comparing to other compact sedans. Mechanism does not intrude in to luggage space at all.

The Linea had it all along ever since it was launched.
The "4-point scissor" hinge with gas strut affords a wider boot loading aperture, a higher opening angle and almost nil luggage crush.
However they are costly - the reason why most OEM's shy away from them and make do with the regular "goose-neck" hinges.
Good to see that Tata has not succumbed to the bean counters in every aspect and has given priority to engineering excellence, durability and functionality.

[RavenAvi]

Confirmed this from my birdie - the Kite5 sedan will be coming with bi-xenon projector headlamps and LED rear tail lamp sections.

It will also have LED number plate lights and LED in-cabin roof lamp too.

Tyres are 175-sections.

Originally Posted by RSR

could the Nano possibly receive a fresh lease of life as the Pelican - with this kind of fixed rear glass & openable metal hatch???

The Pelican project has been put on "indefinite hold". Birdie has confirmed this with a few Tata Motors vendors too.


One more point of interest - birdie says that the Nexon will be manufactured at Tata's Sanand manufacturing facility in Gujarat.

[RavenAvi]

A test mule of the top variant of the Kite5 sedan has been spied in Ahmedabad by an IAB reader.

Shod with the same alloys as the recently spied pre-production version, this test mule actually sits lower than the uncamouflaged one seen earlier.

The Kite 5 sedan spotted seems to be the top-end variant, as it features larger 5-spoke alloy rims with diamond-cut finish and a touchscreen infotainment system.
A similar model was spied undisguised last month, which featured a chrome window line, ORVM-mounted turn indicators, and a thick chrome bar connecting the two taillamps.

[RSR]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

The Pelican project has been put on "indefinite hold". Birdie has confirmed this with a few Tata Motors vendors too.

That's quite a disappointing move by Tata. The Pelican could have possibly helped Tata overcome some of the losses accrued on the Nano project. There's enough space for a Tata car positioned between the Nano & Tiago, and the Pelican would have fit neatly into this space.

The Pelican also has the potential to kick-start Tata's electrification drive. A Pelican EV would be a much more conventional car than the e2o+ from Mahindra Reva.

[Nilesh5417]

If the car really sits lower and isnt looking the Tata GT like it does in the earlier scoop, it should look proportionate! That was my only observation on what looks odd on the car from those pics.

Originally Posted by RSR

That's quite a disappointing move by Tata. The Pelican could have possibly helped Tata overcome some of the losses accrued on the Nano project. There's enough space for a Tata car positioned between the Nano & Tiago, and the Pelican would have fit neatly into this space.

The Pelican also has the potential to kick-start Tata's electrification drive. A Pelican EV would be a much more conventional car than the e2o+ from Mahindra Reva.

Sorry going OT i guess. Given that most of Tata's recent new launches that even remotely resembled their predecessors failed to make any mark, a nano shaped pelican in my opinion would have seriously struggled to shrug off the perception of the failed nano experiment. The Bolt and Zest are competent cars but they were plagued by the perceptions people carried about the Indica / Indigo. No amount of the 'all new' spin could help. So Pelican as a car may bring much to the table but i doubt how much people will accept it if it looks even remotely like nano.

I think the reason Tiago succeeded tho the feature list gets carried over from Zest is that it seriously looks all new! Most buyers arent probably even aware if the underpinnings are really new or not.

[RavenAvi]

The birdies are tweeting!

Kite testing over. Power figures expected to be at par with it's popular rivals, maybe even beat some of them.
Expect in range of 80-95BHP for both engines.
Market research reports are being collected presently. At least another half a dozen features (including bi-xenons) which are under consideration, will be added to the Kite5 only after they are obtained.
Media drive scheduled for end-January 2017.
Launch by end-February 2017.

On the Nexon:

Nexon's final testing continues. Has come out as really powerful and filled with latest tech and gizmos.
Vendors have been sent communiques to send localised parts over to Sanand plant. Should start arriving from next month-end onwards.
Launch by September 2017.

[volkman10]

Tiago Sedan spotted in color blue!



Link

[RavenAvi]

One interior shot, from the above link:

And a new colour shade beneath all the camouflage:

[RavenAvi]

Spotted on the Pune-Solapur highway on New Year's Eve by Mayur Doshi.

Interesting to note that this particular test mule is shod with alloys of a different design.