As Tata Motors continues testing the Buzzard
(7-seater Harrier) on public roads, a prototype has been spied yet again,
courtesy IAB reader Vivek. The model will be renamed at the time of domestic
model, the company had confirmed while introducing it in the Geneva Edition at
the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Rumour has it that the plan is to name it Cassini.
The Tata Buzzard is nothing but an extended, 7-seat
Tata Harrier. This means that in terms of overall design it is similar to the
Harrier till the C-pillar, from where the similarities start getting thin
because of a bigger quarter glass and a more upright tailgate. Instead of
stretching the wheelbase (2,741 mm), Tata Motors has extended the rear overhang
to accommodate the extra two seats. The company has used a stepped roof to
ensure that the third-row passengers get enough headroom. At the rear, tail
lamps carry a different design the Tata Harrier roots are quite obvious.
The Tata Buzzard measures 4,661 mm (+63 mm) in
length, 1,894 mm in width and 1,786 mm (+80 mm) in height. While the Tata
Harrier has 17-inch alloy wheels, the Tata Buzzard comes with bigger, 18-inch
alloy wheels. It sports a peppier version of the 2.0-litre Kryotec turbo-diesel
engine seen on the Harrier. It has been christened 'Kryotec170'. Essentially a
MultiJet II engine made by FCA, it is reported to deliver 170 PS of maximum
power and 350 Nm of peak torque. It will be BS-VI compliant when launched.
Transmission choices will include 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic. The
latter will be sourced from Hyundai.
Tata Motors will discontinue the Hexa, which is its
current flagship model, after the launch of the Buzzard in India. It will be
priced from around INR 15 lakh (ex-showroom) and will be launched by the
end-2019.
