Surfeit of SUV's from TML! This strategy sounds and appears confused. Looks like TML is burning through cash to deliver the right product. It's in a haste: they launch SUV's with only manual variant saving the automatic for a later date: when the market begs for an automatic: given the diesel's heavy clutch and our traffic conditions. They should mimic the Creta not only in size but also the engine and transmission options offered.

God, i should have registered this name to myself in 2006. Since then I have been naming my PC, laptop, mobiles, bike, wifi, PUBG crew as BlackBird.

I am on the verge of booking Nexon, but now Tata will make me wait more. The name itself is making me drool.

If driving a diesel car with a heavy clutch is the main criteria for choosing an automatic, I can assure you that Harrier has one of the lightest clutch pedal. It's lighter than even most petrol powered cars!

True I think the ex-showroom prices will play-out like this:

Hornbill: 4.5-7 lacs
Nexon: 7-9.5 lacs
Blackbird: 9.5-13.5 lacs
Harrier: 13.5+

It's doing what Maruti did in the small car market in India, a spectrum of products in the entry to mid range.

What I am really interested to find out is the future petrol engines powering this line-up. There has been no information regarding the 4 cylinders that Tata will provide as a size upgrade from the current 1.2 units.

Same is the case with Nexon D.

Tata Motors' CTO says they are looking at building an 1.6L Revotron engine by adding an extra cylinder to the 1.2L engine.


Source: From 6th minute.

Link
Link 2

Both sources link to the same artist and for all its worth, it may only be the artist's imagination.

Would be surprised (or rather shocked) if Tata Motors would come up with such fugly designs, given the upward trajectory of their vehicle designs in the last couple of years.

Not impressed. Quite frankly, looks like one of those DC contraptions from the outside. I feel the proportions are way out of whack and the artist is trying too hard to make it look macho.

Frankly, I don't know where to post this. It could be either of BLACKBIRD or HORNBILL or H7X or the EV Concept or any other vehicle

My guess is it's either BLACKBIRD or HORNBILL



Source:
https://twitter.com/TataMotors/statu...559574016?s=19

TML has benchmarked the Chery Tiggo SUV for the development of it's Creta/Duster rival.

Dont know whether this act is right or wrong, but its certainly disappointing. Why does Tata need to bench mark an SUV from Cherry? Common TML, you are the owner of JLR and is it so difficult to create your own benchmark?

A manufacturer like TATA Motors would benchmark atleast a dozen cars for development of a new product. The Chery Tiggo is probably one of those benchmark vehicles. Maybe TATA is only benchmarking the connectivity options or maybe the turbocharged 1.5 L motor that does duty on the Chery Tiggo.

On a related note, Chery already has an existing JV with Jaguar Land Rover in China and IIRC they were exploring options to start a JV with TATA Motors in India too.

Tiago, Nexon, Hexa, Harrier....These are all good looking and competent products but where is a sedan in this line up?

Tigor is a good looking vehicle but it is perceived to have a weak diesel engine.

Zest didn't have an upgrade ever since it's launch back in August, 2014. Which might point to its imminent phase out.

Tata don't have a sedan to compete with the likes of Ciaz, City, Verna, Vento etc. Except Vento, all the three are selling in decent numbers.

While MPVs and SUVs are trending, without a product to appeal to sedan buyer, Tata might be losing a good chunk of buyers. Every one with a budget to buy an SUV might not like to drive around in it.

When Tata can take on the mighty Innova, Brezza and Compass, why can't it have a shot at sedans?

Well Tata benchmarked the nano with Smart too. Benchmarking is done with ten fiften products of the similar type globally. That says nothing about the final car's quality or looks etc.