2013 Tata Indigo eCS facelift detailed

Later today, Tata Motors is expected to launch three facelifted cars in the form of the Indigo eCS, the 2013 Nano and the Sumo Gold refresh. With hours to go for the actual launch, exact details on what's new on these cars have leaked onto the interweb. 

A few years ago, the Indigo CS spawned the sub-4 meter compact sedan class, when Tata Motors chopped the Indigo sedan's boot in order to shorten the car's length. The sub-4 meter class of cars in India, subject to engine displacement, are classified as small cars that are eligible for a lower rate of excise. The lower rate of excise allows manufacturers to price these compact cars more competitively.

When it was first introduced, the Indigo eCS broke new ground in terms of pricing and positioning, in that the car buyer could buy a sedan at the price of a B+ segment hatchback. Ever since, cars such as the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Honda Amaze that have entered the compact sedan space are having successful stints. 

Ceding its early mover advantage, the Indigo eCS has lost ground to the Dzire and Amaze at the hustings. With the latest face lift giving the car a host of cosmetic and feature upgrades, Tata Motors will be hoping to gain some market share. The facelifted Indigo eCS is available with 3 engine options across 8 variants (LX TDI, LS TDI, LX CR4, LS CR4, VX CR4, GLX, GLS and GVX).

The 1.4 liter TDI turbo diesel motor (BS3) outputs 70 Bhp-135 Nm, the 1.4 liter common rail turbo diesel CR4 engine (BS4) outputs 70 Bhp-140 Nm while the 1.2 Liter petrol engine outputs 65 Bhp-100 Nm. All three engines come with a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard. While the engines remain untouched, the F-Type gearbox is an improved item with Tata Motors claiming better shift quality and lower maintenance due to the "elimination of mechanical linkages". 

The facelifted car gets updated looks in the form of a new front grille, revised front bumper, smoked headlamps, 14 inch alloy wheels and a chrome garnish on the boot lid. On the inside, the car gets a new dashboard in an ebony finish, storage pockets on the door, a new 4 spoke steering wheel (steering mounted controls are absent), updated instrumentation console and full fabric seats. 

Under the skin, Tata Motors claims that the suspension has been re-engineered through dual mounting, which is said to offer a more pliant ride. The cabin gets sound proofing in the form of dashboard insulation, cotton felt on the front floor and synthetic felt on the rear floor. The price announcement of the Indigo eCS will happen later today. 

Update: The Indigo eCS, in BS3 trim starts at 4.99 lakh rupees and the BS4 variants begin at 5.29 lakh rupees. Prices reflect ex-showroom Delhi figures. 

Images courtesy MotorBeam