Tata stopped by the 89th Geneva International Motor
Show to showcase multiple cars, among them the new Altroz and Altroz EV
superminis, but also the H2X Concept.
While the Buzzard SUV, also known as the Harrier,
was also in attendance, we’re going to be focusing our efforts on the Altroz
and Altroz EV, two so-called premium urban cars with different powertrains,
designed on an all-new Agile Light Flexible Advanced (ALFA) architecture.
The ALFA platform has lightweight, modular and
flexible characteristics, allowing for the manufacturing of multiple body
styles and a choice of different powertrains, including petrol, diesel and even
fully electric.
Tata means to reinvent the urban car design with its
new Altroz supermini, by putting greater emphasis on bringing connectivity and
everyday mobility together. The Indian automaker plans on bringing the Altroz
to market in India come mid-2019.
Design-wise, this looks like a reasonably modern
car, albeit maybe a little quirky because of those swoosh-shaped front doors.
It’s actually more of a design gimmick, as opposed to something practical in
nature – it doesn’t actually free up the window line. Then there’s the multi-level
front end design, which also comes off as “different”, or perhaps a little
familiar if you’re a fan of certain newer Citroen models.
As for the interior, the gauge cluster seems to be
split in half (half digital, half analog). There’s also a freestanding
infotainment screen on top of the dashboard, flat-bottom multi-function
steering wheel, a push-to-start button, manual gearbox, manual handbrake,
electric door mirrors, power windows, air conditioning and gold trim around the
air vents.
There’s no official word on any powertrain
specifications, but hopefully the automaker will rectify that soon – we’re
particularly curious about the EV version.
According to Tata, it’s the H2X Concept that’s the
most attractive proposition when it comes to their Geneva stand. It’s a
sub-compact SUV, with a dynamic and expressive appearance, as well as “future
ready connectivity and outstanding interior roominess.”
The H2X is also based on the new ALFA architecture
and shows Tata’s future design direction under the IMPACT 2.0 design plan. Its
looks are actually based on the H5X Concept, although everything here is more
“condensed” and a lot more angular, perhaps even rugged.