The Tata Altroz (in Geneva Edition) was officially
unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year. It was spied amid its TVC
shoot last month, and it could be launched in July. Hence, to build up the
pre-launch hype, the first teaser video in which a test mule can be seen going
through some slalom exercises and braking tests has been rolled out.
The Altroz is the second car in the Tata's line-up
(after Harrier) which as been designed as per the company's IMPACT Design 2.0
philosophy. Also, it is the first Tata car to be underpinned by the
indigenously developed Advanced Modular Platform (Alfa-Arc), and it will be
positioned between the Tata Tigor and Tata Nexon.
Throwing light on the mechanical bits, it is said to
be available with the Tata Tiago's 1.2L petrol engine which churns out 85 PS
and 114 Nm of torque. It will also run on a 1.2L turbocharged petrol powerhouse
that produces 102 PS and 140 Nm of torque and a 1.5L turbocharged oil-burner
which delivers 91.25 PS. The turbocharged engines will be borrowed from the
Tata Nexon, but be offered in a detuned state. The transmission duties will be
done by 5-speed manual unit and likely a dual-clutch automatic unit.
Expect the Tata Altroz to be equipped with features
like LED projector headlamps and LED DRLs, 16-inch alloy wheels, electrically
operated ORVMs with turn indicators and LED tail lamps. On the inside, it may
feature a semi-digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment
system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Tata Altroz will replace the Tata Bolt and rival
the likes of Maruti Baleno and Hyundai i20. Expect its introductory prices to
start at INR 5.5 lakh (ex-showroom). A pure electric variant will be launched
in 2021.
