[samyakmodi]

to be honest it's a great effort from TATA.

The fit and finish of the car looks good. The interiors are totally Range Rover/ LAnd Rover inspired. Though I am not really sure whether I can say I like the way the MUV/SUV/Van/Crossover-ish looks.

They should have thought of doing something better with the grill. Comes out way too LOUD! Design cue definitely is from a bigger - sorry a LOT bigger Indigo Marina. The bonnet looks a bit disproportionate. The tapering roof towards the C-pillar though CR-V inspired looks a bit odd in a vehicle this BIG. The rear looks too xylo-ish boxy!
All in all the exteriors do not look like a single flow design. I still can't forget how GREAT the Indica looked when it was first launched. The ARIA does absolutely nothing to your emotions - atleast not from the outside.
I might be thinking weird, but there is something "not right" with the TATA logo too. The design mind you is excellent. But somehow seeing that on the grill/boot/steering wheel is not hitting the right chords. Maybe it's the size - maybe it brings in lots of memories - maybe they need to re-do it if they are coming out with such premium cars. I think the logo misses out the snob value OR the premium factor of a car in this price bracket.

All in all the car looks quiet promising, and subtle design changes might go a long way in giving the feel good factor.


p.s : doesn't the bonnet remind you of the vista's??

[shortbread]

I think the Aria looks brilliant. Considering that the 'MPV'ish dimensions of the car, it still looks handsome rather than falling into the usual trap of being all curves and bulk. The wedges and wheel arches give it a more muscular stance. This is something that the latest gen. CRV lost from the previous one. They also made sure the Aria does reflect Tata's design language.

The grille itself sets it apart from the regular innovas/xylos, but the rear end could do with more drama.

[A.R]

There's been a lot of discussion on the 'ARIA', actually too much.
One Question: When is it out for purchase?

[specialist1968]

Originally Posted by samyakmodi

to be honest it's a great effort from TATA.

I might be thinking weird, but there is something "not right" with the TATA logo too. The design mind you is excellent. But somehow seeing that on the grill/boot/steering wheel is not hitting the right chords. Maybe it's the size - maybe it brings in lots of memories - maybe they need to re-do it if they are coming out with such premium cars. I think the logo misses out the snob value OR the premium factor of a car in this price bracket.

p.s : doesn't the bonnet remind you of the vista's??

I had the same thought when the new logo was launched. At times, I felt that the logo simply looks like the the feet of a man standing in seershasana! Another aspect noticed is that the two distinct lines that make up the T rise up, reach a peak and then diverge apart and move slightly down. Something that does not give a positive feeling. In contrast, look at Maheendra logo. It indicates progress till infinity. Look at Maruti logo, the wings indicate flying above and above and above. All these inspire positive feelings in me. The logos of Honda, Toyota, Hyundai etc. just look neutral to me, may be because they are not indian. (sorry, not hurting anybody, but just telling what I felt; I have great respect for TATAs).

[dragstar]

Originally Posted by Amartya

Thanks for sharing the picture. One of the clearest pictures we've seen on the road. In my opinion, the car looks great.

Did you by any chance hear the engine being fired up?

Yeah the engine had the familiar TATA grunt. It wasn't really as silent as a toyota.
For some reason I liked and disliked the ARIA at the same time. It looks huge & spacious but the front has a touch of the new indica vista.

I liked the wheels and the dual exhaust. Though they could have used 16inches rims.
There was nothing really distinctive about the car.

[anmol2k4]

Originally Posted by specialist1968

I had the same thought when the new logo was launched. At times, I felt that the logo simply looks like the the feet of a man standing in seershasana! Another aspect noticed is that the two distinct lines that make up the T rise up, reach a peak and then diverge apart and move slightly down. Something that does not give a positive feeling. In contrast, look at Maheendra logo. It indicates progress till infinity. Look at Maruti logo, the wings indicate flying above and above and above. All these inspire positive feelings in me. The logos of Honda, Toyota, Hyundai etc. just look neutral to me, may be because they are not indian. (sorry, not hurting anybody, but just telling what I felt; I have great respect for TATAs).

The logo represents something Indian, the national tree of India. This tree sheltered Buddha while he was meditating and under the very same tree he attained Moksha. Those two lines represent the strong roots which keeps one firmly planted in ground, as you might have noticed that lots of companies regardless of their inspiring logos have disappeared recently or taken over by the government. Thanks to those strong roots, the same group have not only survived this environment but also bought out such companies.

[nowwhat?]

Originally Posted by specialist1968

I had the same thought when the new logo was launched. At times, I felt that the logo simply looks like the the feet of a man standing in seershasana! Another aspect noticed is that the two distinct lines that make up the T rise up, reach a peak and then diverge apart and move slightly down. Something that does not give a positive feeling. In contrast, look at Maheendra logo. It indicates progress till infinity. Look at Maruti logo, the wings indicate flying above and above and above. All these inspire positive feelings in me. The logos of Honda, Toyota, Hyundai etc. just look neutral to me, may be because they are not indian. (sorry, not hurting anybody, but just telling what I felt; I have great respect for TATAs).

I too have always felt that the symbolism of the Tata logo is just plain wrong. It shows the two lines diverge at the top -- as if to say this company/ group will go two separate ways in future.

On the other hand, the Mahindra logo converges to a point in the future, as if to say it will all come together.

Slightly off topic, on the subject of Mahindra since I almost booked a Xylo (competitor to Aria -- to try and remain on topic) for my wife, I couldn't for the life in me figure out the following about the Xylo brochure:

• The brochure is about a fashion photographer and his model. Now the Xylo is obviously a family car since it seats 7/8, why on earth would the Mahindras show a single guy and his muse?
  
  They should have instead shown a family with kids and grandparents.
  
  My wife was totally put off by the brochure.

• There is not a single proper picture showing the Xylo from either the front, side or the rear. All the pictures show the Xylo as part of the landscape.
  
  The interiors are shown though, but not the dash, as if you buy the Xylo to get the seats.

• What is with Mahindra and the unnatural shimmer that their vehicles have in the brochures? Mahindra, show me one picture of the thing without any effects added on.

One last gripe: How come the Xylo E8 is only available in Diamond White? I have no idea about these things, but how difficult is it to paint a car in other colours?

I hope Tata doesn't make any of these mistakes with the Aria.

[Santy]

Originally Posted by nowwhat?

I too have always felt that the symbolism of the Tata logo is just plain wrong. It shows the two lines diverge at the top -- as if to say this company/ group will go two separate ways in future.

On the other hand, the Mahindra logo converges to a point in the future, as if to say it will all come together.

Slightly off topic, on the subject of Mahindra since I almost booked a Xylo (competitor to Aria -- to try and remain on topic) for my wife, I couldn't for the life in me figure out the following about the Xylo brochure:

• The brochure is about a fashion photographer and his model. Now the Xylo is obviously a family car since it seats 7/8, why on earth would the Mahindras show a single guy and his muse?

• They should have instead shown a family with kids and grandparents.

  My wife was totally put off by the brochure.

• There is not a single proper picture showing the Xylo from either the front, side or the rear. All the pictures show the Xylo as part of the landscape.

• The interiors are shown though, but not the dash, as if you buy the Xylo to get the seats.

• What is with Mahindra and the unnatural shimmer that their vehicles have in the brochures? Mahindra, show me one picture of the thing without any effects added on.

One last gripe: How come the Xylo E8 is only available in Diamond White? I have no idea about these things, but how difficult is it to paint a car in other colours?

I hope Tata doesn't make any of these mistakes with the Aria.

fully agree buddy with you,

I was seeing Xylo website, its full of models allover, hardly any pic of car

and where ever car is show, its just looking too odd with those fancy models

the route taken to communicate advantages of products is not connecting anyway

I would still prefere simple and straight forward approach by Japs in communication

[amitk26]

About the logo yes it is based on Indian ethos and Baniyan tree is the inspiration. To me it looks like a man standing with arms spread wide to embrace and welcome.

Originally Posted by dragstar

I liked the wheels and the dual exhaust. Though they could have used 16inches rims.
There was nothing really distinctive about the car.

They are using 17 inch wheels any reason why it should be 16 ?

[suman]

Originally Posted by nowwhat?

since I almost booked a Xylo (competitor to Aria -- to try and remain on topic) for my wife, I couldn't for the life in me figure out the following about the Xylo brochure:

The Xylo is a competitor to the Aria?

No offense mate but I'm ROTFL

[nowwhat?]

Originally Posted by suman

The Xylo is a competitor to the Aria?

No offense mate but I'm ROTFL

Isn't the Xylo a competitor to the Innova? I am not sure which segment both of them belong to (perhaps the people mover -- MUV segment), but If you look at the number of times the two have been compared on this forum, one would certainly believe so.

The general impression I have is that the Xylo is a poor cousin of the Innova.

Now if Aria is competing with the Innova as well, then doesn't it mean that all three are competing with each other?

What did I say wrong?

[ACM]

Yep Xylo kind off with compete with some version for the Aria, but the differentiator is that the Xylo is a pure people mover and for that matter so is the Innova but the Aira is also a Crossover Vehicle with 4X4 modes, etc, essentially making it something that on the higher end even would compete with the Captiva, CRV, Outlander, Fortuner as well.

It's all about the individuals needs, the Aria does a lot more than is expected of the Xylo, but if all of that is not required by the buyer then he would infact be better off in an Innova or the Xylo.

If one looks at from a certain spec (power then the Captiva and Fortuner are even closer to the Aria than it is to the Innova and the Xylo where the seating config matches in terms of people mover usage.

[amitk2kin]

Originally Posted by CARDEEP

Good catch amitk2kin & your photography skills are also good, for your could manage these images while driving ( avoid use of mobile while at the wheel).

Hi Cardeep,

The pic was clicked by my friends sitting next to me, my focus was on the wheel .

[amitk26]

If just moving 7-8 people is the criteria then competition is Maruti Ecco , Tata Venture , Force toofan , Mahindra Bolero , Tata Sumo and even Tata Magic :-)

[rbp]

Originally Posted by samyakmodi

They should have thought of doing something better with the grill. Comes out way too LOUD! Design cue definitely is from a bigger - sorry a LOT bigger Indigo Marina.

+1 to that. Last saturday, me too caught a Aria testing near Chitradurga, it was going towards Bangalore and me in the opposite, the front reminded me a lot of the Manza and the rear vista, actually I thought it was a Manza, only on seeing the side profile was I was like wow Aria. I hope the interiors are better.