Tata Motors hogged the limelight at the Auto Expo back in January with the superb H5X and 45X Concepts, previewing the brand's upcoming new SUV and a potential premium hatchback to rival the likes of the Baleno and i20. With both these segments showing massive growth, Tata’s bets are in line with the market trends which augurs well for them. And the Pune-based car-maker is wasting no time getting these models ready to hit the market.
Spotted right outside Tata’s facility in the outskirts of Pune, the brand's upcoming flagship SUV seems to be taking shape nicely. Despite the thick layer of camouflage, it is clear the new SUV’s styling is inspired by the H5X Concept, albeit toned down significantly. The stance, helped in no small part by the tall hood, the bulged-out shoulders and those beefy tires shod on 17-inch wheels, screams SUV. The size seems to be just right too with Tata’s new SUV looking considerably bigger than the Jeep Compass, the latest SUV sensation in the country. Whilst we can’t make out much apart from these, the precious few design elements that are exposed by this test mule are done just right, like the smoked 5 twin-spoked alloy wheels for instance.
The folks at Tata Motors are said to be developing two models – a 5-seater and a 7-seater – based on the H5X Concept and the vehicle on test seems to be the latter. The roofline that doesn’t slope down as dramatically as the concept’s did and the considerable space between the B- and C-pillars are definite giveaways of the car’s identity. These actions open up precious headroom and legroom for the passengers in the third row and are crucial if Tata has to market this as a proper 7-seater. Let’s not forget most vehicles in this segment are just 5+2-seaters with the third row best reserved for kids and unwelcome adults.
The H5X Concept-based SUVs are being developed with inputs from Land Rover and, as a result, are expected to boast robust mechanicals and solid off-roading abilities. Fiat’s 2.0-liter MultiJet diesel engine would be the power unit of choice with Tata expected to differentiate the 7-seater with a higher state of tune. This is the same engine that does duty with aplomb under the hood of the Compass. Every new launch from Tata in the recent past have been accompanied by a considerable upswing in their quality levels and it’s safe to assume these upcoming flagships would continue the trend.
After being nearly written off a few years back, Tata Motor’s remarkable product-led transformation has been a revelation. The upcoming SUVs then are going to be just a couple of more feathers added to a cap that’s getting heavier by the day!
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