2015 Geneva - Tata Hexa Concept previews the brand's future SUVs

The Indian market hasn't been kind to Tata Motors over the last few years. Despite enjoying an enviable brand recall and the advantages associated with the home country, Tata just couldn't capitalize and convert them into sales and revenue. It’s much-hyped new models flopped one after the other until the Zest came along and arrested that trend last year. That's why the Hexa Concept, currently on display at the 2015 Geneva Auto Salon, assumes greater significance.

With prospects continuing to remain as bullish as ever for crossovers and Sports Utility Vehicles, segments that Tata doesn't enjoy a strong presence in currently, the Hexa Concept couldn't have come at a better time for the Indian manufacturer. It might be called a concept but all it takes is a casual glance through the press images to find out it’s association with the Aria, Tata’s current flagship. In essence, the Hexa Concept is a significant redesign of Aria that makes it look like a proper crossover.

Sporting a muscular frontal design characterized by a clam-shell hood with a prominent power bulge at the center, the Hexa Concept looks macho. For a change, and a welcome one at that, brushed steel and hexagonal meshes replace chrome and honeycomb meshes in the front grille and air dam. A sweeping roofline, blackened D-pillars, hexagonal taillights and sporty 19-inch wheels together make this one neatly executed crossover. Having said that, we have to admit we expected more from Tata, having seen the uber-stylish Nexon Concept at the 2014 Auto Expo in New Delhi. Then again, with the limitations they had having to base this out of the Aria, Tata’s designers have did a commendable job of masking its identity.

Doing duty under the hood is an all-new 2.2-liter VARICOR 400 diesel engine that generates 154 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic while a torque-on-demand All Wheel Drive system is also said to be on the cards. The interiors, again, are based on the Aria and sports full leather upholstery that can seat six passengers in individual captain seats. Tata claims that the Hexa Concept has the longest cabin in its class, a fact we wouldn't dispute given its origins. A Harman-developed infotainment system, automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers are part of the kit as are safety features like six airbags, projector headlamps and Electronic Stability Control.

While Tata has an impressive record of displaying potentially game-changing concept cars at the Geneva Motor Show over the years, only a select few have actually made it to production. We hope the Hexa Concept bucks that trend and makes it to India unchanged pretty quickly.