Team-BHP renders the Tata Manza-based 2014 compact sedan

Tata Motors will give the Indica Vista hatchback a comprehensive makeover next year, and the 2014 Indian Auto Expo is a likely venue for the facelifted model's official unveiling. Along with the facelifted Vista, the stylistic changes are likely to be carried over to the 2014 version of the Manza sedan as well. The Indigo Manza platform will also host an all-new compact sedan from the Tata stable, and the first batch of test mules are all set to hit roads in the coming days. Team-BHP's rendering artist AntlerRoad has put together a speculative render of the Tata Manza-based compact sedan. 

The Tata Manza-based compact sedan will adopt Tata Motors' aggressive new styling philosophy first showcased to the world through the Manza Hybrid at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo. The Manza Hybrid's front end, replete with smoked headlamps, restyled bumpers and a new grille, is likely to make its way onto the compact sedan variant. Also, other changes such as the relocation of turn indicators, from under the wing mirrors to a position over the front wheel wells, and a new, stubby boot section inspired by the Honda Amaze will be seen on the new compact sedan from Tata Motors.

For a competitive price tag on the back of lower excise, it is imperative that Tata Motors engineers its latest compact sedan to measure within 4 meters in length. In line with the sub-4 meter length, the petrol and diesel engine capacities of the compact sedan need to meet the sub-1.2 liter and sub-1.5 liter restrictions respectively. Therefore, expect the Manza compact sedan to dig into the parts bin of the Indica Vista and the Indigo Manza for engines and gearboxes. With the five speed manual gearbox as standard fare on both petrol and diesel engines, the 1.2 liter XETA petrol and the 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbo diesel engines are likely to find use in the Manza compact sedan. 

The compact sedan segment manages to generate well over 20,000 units in terms of monthly sales and is therefore too big a space for any major car maker to ignore. While Tata Motors already has the pioneering Indigo eCS compact sedan operating in this segment, the car has been a tepid success for the brand. This is a major reason behind Tata Motors' decision to line up an all new compact sedan based on the Indigo Manza. Apart from Tata Motors, Hyundai is readying up a Grand i10-based compact sedan while Maruti Suzuki is likely to explore a lower price band with the next-generation Alto/A-Star/YL7 based compact sedan.