Here are new photographs of the Tata
Harrier SUV from its test runs on the Pune-Solapur highway. The test mule is likely the base variant that
misses out on some features. The Tata Harrier test mule is hoisted on 18-inch
5-spoke alloy wheels wrapped with Bridgestone Dueler tires. Tata Motors could
offer bigger wheels on top variants, considering the Tata Hexa comes with
19-inch wheels. Another thing to notice is that the test mule was the 5-seat
(Tata H5X) model, and Tata engineers have cleverly cloaked the D-pillar to
disguise the SUV's dimension.
The Tata Harrier test mule had more than ample
legroom (probably class leading) in the second row with quilted seats, while
the space behind did not look enough to plant seats. That said, Tata is working on a
7-seat H7X (tentative) which should comfortably accommodate the third-row seats
with space for bags. The Land Rover Discovery Sport derived OMEGA Arc platform
supports bigger wheels with large wheel arches.
The Tata Harrier will feature LED lighting,
projector fog lamps, with test mules confirming white and red body colours in
the plan. Powering the Tata Harrier is a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre MultiJet II
diesel engine that is likely to get the 140 bhp and 350 Nm state of tune. The
same engine will reportedly produce 167 bhp of maximum power on the Tata H7X,
which is similar to the Jeep Compass. The Harrier test mule featured a 6-speed
transmission along with Tata's Super Drive Modes.
A recent report said that the Harrier will get a
6-speed automatic unit from Hyundai. The same report states that Fiat's 9-speed
dual clutch automatic transmission was proving to be a costly option for Tata
Motors.
The Tata Harrier will rival top-end variants of the
Hyundai Creta and mid-level variants of the Jeep Compass with a price tag
between INR 12 lakh to INR 18 lakh (ex-showroom).
