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BY OUR AUTOMOBILES CORRESPONDENT
1 March 2005: Tata Motors, India's largest automobile manufacturer, unveiled the Tata
Xover, a "crossover" vehicle concept, at the 75th Geneva Auto Show. The
vehicle showcases Tata's ideas of a modern crossover, a strong emerging
segment globally. For the consumer, the Tata Xover will blend the benefits
of a family friendly luxury tourer with refined driving dynamics and the
visual cues of an activity-oriented sports utility vehicle.
The Tata Xover, a 4.85-meter car, uses a rugged frame-based design with
large interior space and flexible seating that can comfortably accommodate
upto 7 adults and ample cargo area. Configured to be fitted with a range of
Euro IV engines including Tata Motors' own next generation power trains, the
car would offer traction control, climate control with personalized zones,
navigation system, driver, passenger and side-airbags, anti-lock braking
system, 4-wheel drive and other comfort, convenience and safety options.
Sporting 17-inch wheels, the car's superior ride-comfort and handling will
be ensured by independent double wishbone coil spring suspension with a
stabilizer bar in front, and a five-link suspension with coil springs and
stabilizer bar at the rear.
The new Tata XOVER marks Tata Motors' first
entry into the crossover vehicle segment. It is
proposed to be made available with different
engine options, both in diesel and petrol. It is
configured to be fitted with a range of Euro IV
engines including Tata Motors' own next generation
power-trains. Developed, designed and engineered
specifically for the European market, the new
crossover combines the attractive styling and all
weather performance of an SUV, refinement of a car
and the versatility of an MPV. Well-suited for
both highways and city-streets, the product offers
comfortable long and near distance travel, making
it ideal for the European markets.
The distinctive exterior styling has been
arrived at with inputs from the IDEA institute,
Italy. It combines a frame-based design and rugged
underbody, making it resistant to damage and
thereby imparting the resilience of a tough off-roader.
The styling arrived at for this vehicle is the
logical evolution of Tata's design philosophy of
simplicity and harmony, combined with practical
use and efficient space management, and equipped
with the latest technologies. This gives the
vehicle a contemporary, aggressive and yet a
sporty image. Spacious interiors provide for
flexible seating and ample cargo storage space.
Door panels incorporate air conditioning for
"personal climate zones" thereby
providing an innovative and efficient air
management system with 4 separate climate zones.
The rear trunk compartment also has several new
features - most important of which is the load
platform the slides backwards and tilts down
allowing easy loading of even cumbersome objects
like mountain bikes.
TATA XOVER represents an important milestone in
the history of Tata Motors, as it will introduce a
sophisticated product offering in the entirely new
crossover category - thus showing Tata's
technical, technological and styling capabilities
as well as the determination to be amongst the
best vehicle manufacturers worldwide.
Also on display at the show are the Tata Indica hatchback and the Tata
Indigo Station Wagon which, apart from being among the largest selling
passenger car models in India, are well on their way to establishing
themselves in European and other overseas markets. In addition, the largest
selling model in its segment in India, the Tata Indigo sedan and the Tata
Safari sport utility vehicles have also been exhibited.
Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group said, "The Tata Xover
demonstrates Tata Motors' desire and commitment to innovate and address new
market segments."
Tata Motors is the second largest player in the domestic passenger car
market in India. Two of its five passenger vehicle brands are among the top
ten selling models in India. The company is the world's fifth largest medium
and heavy commercial vehicle manufacturer, producing more than 150
commercial vehicle models with a range of light, medium to heavy duty
trucks, buses and tractor-trailers.
Tata Motors, with revenues of over US$ 3.5 billion (FY 2003-04), is the
flagship company of the Tata Group. The Tata Group has a leadership position
in Engineering, Materials, Energy, Consumer Products, Services and
Communication, Hotels and Information Systems. Over 3 million Tata vehicles
ply on Indian roads, making TATA a dominant force in the Indian automobile
industry
BY OUR AUTOMOBILES CORRESPONDENT
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