2 New Tata SUVs Launching Next Month
Tata Motors has been aggressively expanding its product portfolio in India. The newest launch from the Indian giant is the Curvv.EV that continues to be in high demand. Building more heat, Tata is gearing up to launch two new SUVs next month. The ICE version of Tata Curvv and the Nexon iCNG are both ready to hit the roads.
Tata Curvv ICE
Tata Curvv.EV had its market debut last month. The ICE version is set to launch on September 2, 2024. It will have key design deviations from the EV. Interestingly, the ICE version will be based on the new ATLAS platform. This architecture will be used in the upcoming Sierra and next-gen Nexon as well.
The Curvv’s design takes cues from the latest Harrier and Safari, featuring horizontal light bars, a steeply raked front windshield, and a flowing bonnet. It will also have flush door handles, 18-inch wheels, a sloping roof, and bold body claddings. The coupe will also have high approach and departure angles and a ride height of 190 mm.
Curvv ICE will have a modern cabin design that shares a lot with its EV counterpart. There will be a 12.3-inch free-floating touchscreen, 9-speaker JBL audio system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, illuminated logo on the steering wheel, a large panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, connected car tech and 360-degree camera. The safety suite will include six airbags, blind spot monitoring, level 2 ADAS with 20 features and more.
The ICE version will have three engine options: 1.2-litre Revotron petrol (120PS and 170Nm), 1.5-litre Kryojet diesel (118PS and 260Nm), and the new Hyperion 1.2-litre four-cylinder, DI turbo petrol (125PS and 225Nm). The Revotron and Kryojet are both borrowed from the outgoing Nexon. Curvv is the first product to get the Hyperion engine. Later in time, Tata Motors could also launch a CNG version of the coupe.
The transmission choices will have a 6-speed MT and a 7-speed wet-clutch DCT automatic unit. The automatic variants will come with paddle shifters for better manual control. Expected pricing of the Curvv ICE is Rs 12-18 lakh (ex-showroom). It will sit above the Nexon and below the Harrier in Tata’s ICE lineup.
Tata Nexon iCNG
The long-anticipated Nexon iCNG will also launch next month. With it rolling out, the Nexon will become the moniker that offers the most number of powertrains in India. At present, it has petrol, diesel and electric powertrain options. Tata had previously showcased the CNG Nexon at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024.
Minimal design deviations are to be expected between the CNG and regular versions. It will have multiple iCNG badges on the exterior. The cabin design and feature array will also be similar to the regular form.
The Nexon iCNG will be India’s first-ever turbocharged CNG car as most other CNG models feature naturally aspirated petrol engines. This product will have a 1.2-litre three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that runs dual fuels. The setup will be able to produce 118bhp and 170Nm. Like the CNG versions of Tiago, Altroz, Tigor and Punch, Nexon iCNG will also feature the ‘twin-cylinder technology’ that packs the CNG in two 60-litre cylinders discreetly connected together, ensuring usable boot space. (The boot capacity is claimed to be 230 litres.)
There will be two transmission options- a 5-speed manual and an AMT. This will be the third CNG model from Tata Motors to feature an AMT gearbox. Furthermore, the Nexon CNG will offer seamless switching between fuels, as it uses a single advanced ECU for both CNG and petrol. Minor tweaks have been done to the suspension to accommodate the additional weight of the CNG hardware.
To enhance safety, the iCNG suite features advanced materials, micro switches, leak detection, and thermal incident protection. Nexon iCNG will compete with the likes of Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. We expect the price premium to be around 80,000, over the regular variants.