The Tata H2X concept has been unveiled in
an updated avatar as the Tata HBX concept at Auto Expo 2020. The production
version, internally known as Tata Hornbill, will be launched in India in the
second half of 2020.
While the Tata H2X concept was quite solid
and tough, the Tata HBX concept takes the ruggedness to a significantly higher
level. It has an angrier front-end with LED flood lights on the outer ends of
the upper grille, dark alloy wheels shod with knobby off-road tyres and a roof
rack topped with off-roading supplies (a spare wheel and two fuel cans). Don't
expect these things on the production version, though.
Look closer and you’ll notice that
indirectly Tata Motors is previewing a design closer to production. Unlike the
on the Tata H2X concept, on the Tata HBX concept, the two-tier headlamps have a
conventional main lamp, and the ORVMs and door handles are conventional units.
The rear door handles are pillar-mounted ones, just like on the Tata Altroz. The
tail lamps too are tweaked units, aimed at being more functional. Also worth
noting is the dual-tone colour scheme with the khaki green colour on the
mirrors and roof giving a contrasting look.
The interior is also closer to production
in the Tata HBX concept. Unlike on the older concept, the touchscreen
infotainment system and the instrument cluster are segregated. The overall
design is also much simpler and aimed more at being functional than stylish.
The Tata HBX concept’s production version
will be based on the Alfa-Arc platform (AMP). It will likely be powered by the
same 1.2L naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine as the Tata Altroz.
This engine produces 86 PS at 6,000 rpm and 113 Nm of torque at 3,300 rpm. It
should be offered with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed automated
manual transmission.
The Tata HBX concept’s production version
will compete with the Maruti Ignis.