Sumo Grande First Impressions

v1p3r · 20th February 2008, 22:50

Hey, just got a peek at the Sumo Grande. Car seems killer, and looks like it's going to sting the Scorpio bad, maybe fatally. IIRC, the Scorpio costs 9 or so, whereas this is more like 7.xx.

Anyway, some pics:

Interior space is better than the Scorpio. I'm 5'10", and I could sit in the middle row, AND the rear row, comfortably. Headroom is sufficient, though the rear row is slightly claustrophobic due to the small windows. The front seats are a revelation, and are easily on par with the Safari or Baleno for comfort. Middle row is reclinable, and 60:40 split as well. Engine is remarkably refined. Quality niggles, esp wrt shutlines and plastics, remain. But overall, this seems a killer package. Mahindra should be afraid. They should be very, very afraid.

jkdas · 20th February 2008, 22:52

Wow! Another first at TBHP.

Couldnt go for a drive blueboy? And what are the other specs.

I hate their steering design though Safari's is ok.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 20th February 2008, 22:54

Did you TD it?

Any idea of the stability of the vehicle?

himanshugoswami · 20th February 2008, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

I hate their steering design though Safari's is ok.

really? I actually thought this design was pretty cool!

v1p3r · 20th February 2008, 22:59

The steering design is pretty annoying when you are in the driver's seat.

theMAG · 20th February 2008, 23:01

Akshay,

Is it more driver-oriented (ergonomics) than the Sumo ?

1100D · 20th February 2008, 23:02

How does the plastics feel? I remember seeing the auto expo pictures where the interior door levers looked quite cheap.

I somehow like the ruler straight lines on the dashboard but again provided it feels good? Steering however does not match the persona of the dashboard.

Scorpio though need not be worried because its appeal is different. Scorpio is a SUV and not a MUV (like the Sumo). Tavera and Bolero should be doing the worrying part. Though their intended clientele would actually be happy with a trusty workhorse thats reliable and Fuel efficient and has the support of Tata.

jkdas · 20th February 2008, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Did you TD it?

Any idea of the stability of the vehicle?

Would be better than a Scorpio anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

really? I actually thought this design was pretty cool!

Check the Indigo CS's steering.

Quote:

Originally Posted by v1p3r

The steering design is pretty annoying when you are in the driver's seat.

Why? Big? or coz it looks funny?

v1p3r · 20th February 2008, 23:04

Mag, you'll really have to ask someone who has driven it. That would exclude me.

1100D · 20th February 2008, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

Akshay,

Is it more driver-oriented (ergonomics) than the Sumo ?

Offcourse it is! Atleast this time, the steering has been given to someone seated in the drivers seat rather than the roof.

binz · 21st February 2008, 01:04

For all you know that car has already been taken sideways!

dadu · 21st February 2008, 10:19

I already had a hunch that the grande will be a tough one to compete with but I dont like the rear of it.

Akshay any pict /comments on the rear looks of grande ??

vinod_nookala · 21st February 2008, 11:23

i wish it had 4wd as an option. Atleast that way it would be an option to bolero 4wd this side of 10 lakh bracket

jkdas · 21st February 2008, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by binz

For all you know that car has already been taken sideways!

you mean by Sideways?

adityamunshi · 21st February 2008, 12:12

TATA surely makes some weird steering designs. I hate the one in the Indigo.

20th February 2008, 22:50	#1
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	Sumo Grande First Impressions Hey, just got a peek at the Sumo Grande. Car seems killer, and looks like it's going to sting the Scorpio bad, maybe fatally. IIRC, the Scorpio costs 9 or so, whereas this is more like 7.xx. Anyway, some pics: Interior space is better than the Scorpio. I'm 5'10", and I could sit in the middle row, AND the rear row, comfortably. Headroom is sufficient, though the rear row is slightly claustrophobic due to the small windows. The front seats are a revelation, and are easily on par with the Safari or Baleno for comfort. Middle row is reclinable, and 60:40 split as well. Engine is remarkably refined. Quality niggles, esp wrt shutlines and plastics, remain. But overall, this seems a killer package. Mahindra should be afraid. They should be very, very afraid. Last edited by v1p3r : 20th February 2008 at 22:53.
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 22:52	#2
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	Wow! Another first at TBHP. Couldnt go for a drive blueboy? And what are the other specs. I hate their steering design though Safari's is ok. Last edited by jkdas : 20th February 2008 at 22:54.
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 22:54	#3
CrAzY dRiVeR Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore / TVM Posts: 17,180 Thanked: 73,500 Times View My Garage	Did you TD it? Any idea of the stability of the vehicle?
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 22:59	#5
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	The steering design is pretty annoying when you are in the driver's seat.
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 23:01	#6
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Akshay, Is it more driver-oriented (ergonomics) than the Sumo ?
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 23:02	#7
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,096 Times View My Garage	How does the plastics feel? I remember seeing the auto expo pictures where the interior door levers looked quite cheap. I somehow like the ruler straight lines on the dashboard but again provided it feels good? Steering however does not match the persona of the dashboard. Scorpio though need not be worried because its appeal is different. Scorpio is a SUV and not a MUV (like the Sumo). Tavera and Bolero should be doing the worrying part. Though their intended clientele would actually be happy with a trusty workhorse thats reliable and Fuel efficient and has the support of Tata.
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 23:04	#9
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	Mag, you'll really have to ask someone who has driven it. That would exclude me.
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 01:04	#11
binz Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,306 Thanked: 431 Times View My Garage	For all you know that car has already been taken sideways!
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 10:19	#12
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,803 Thanked: 462 Times View My Garage	I already had a hunch that the grande will be a tough one to compete with but I dont like the rear of it. Akshay any pict /comments on the rear looks of grande ??
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 11:23	#13
vinod_nookala Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,737 Thanked: 430 Times View My Garage	i wish it had 4wd as an option. Atleast that way it would be an option to bolero 4wd this side of 10 lakh bracket
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 12:12	#15
adityamunshi BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baroda Posts: 771 Thanked: 6 Times	TATA surely makes some weird steering designs. I hate the one in the Indigo.
	() Thanks