EXCLUSIVE! Next generation Tata Xenon pick-up truck: What it’ll look like

Pick-up trucks have been around in India for a long time now. Manufacturers like Tata and Mahindra have been offering the pick-ups in India but until recently, the pick-ups did not gain much popularity. With the arrival of the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, the lifestyle pick-up trucks have gained some traction among the enthusiasts and other manufacturers may see this as a chance to bring in new products to the market. Here is what the next-generation Xenon will look like if Tata decides to bring in an all-new model.

The Xenon XT, which is a pick-up truck for the individual customers, was discontinued by Tata Motors officially in 2017. It was based on the Tata Safari platform. The next-generation Tata Xenon will be based on the all-new Omega platform that will also underpin Tata’s upcoming H5X SUV. The render shows how the pick-up will draw inspirations from the H5X SUV concept that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo.

The production version of the all-new Xenon will look premium and will target the lifestyle market similar to the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross. It gets the new-age Tata’s humanity grille with similar arrow-design LED headlamps and DRLs. However, such sophistication may not make it to the production model to keep the price realistic.

To give it a masculine touch, the pick-up is expected to get a heavily creased front-end with a skid plate to protect the underbody. The flared wheel arches of the vehicle get matte finish to protect them from any scratches. It even gets a factory-installed snorkel that Tata may offer as standard or may offer as an optional accessory.

The next-generation Xenon is expected to keep the same four-door, five-seater layout as the current version of the vehicle. There will be a flatbed with sufficient capacity at the rear. Even though the render shows that the upcoming Xenon may get high-end Mud Terrain tyres, the stock production version will get All Terrain or Highway Terrain tyres to cater to all kinds of customers.

On the inside, the Xenon will get some advanced features but they are not expected to be as sophisticated and luxurious as the H5X as it will cater to the customers who are looking for ruggedness. Even with the rugged interiors, features like touch-screen infotainment, climate control and other such features can be expected.

Tata is expected to power the next-generation Xenon with the 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine that also powers the Jeep Compass. The same will also be used in the Tata H5X SUV. It will get the 4X4 system with a low-ratio transfer case and the Terrain Response System that changes the mode of the terrain is also expected. Tata will launch the all-new H5X in 2019 and the Xenon based on it can be expected in 2020.