Maruti Baleno-rivaling Tata 45X hatchback to get mild-hybrid system

Tata has become very aggressive with the product launches in India. After the successful launches like the Tiago and Nexon, Tata is now planning to launch more all-new products. The Tata Harrier would be the next big launch from the brand while Tata is working on other upcoming products too.

The premium hatchback from the brand code-named as the 45X would be launched later next year too. Tata has already begun the testing of the 45X hatchback and it can be the first Tata car to get the mild-hybrid system.

Tata 45X would take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno in the market. Tata was expected to launch the new vehicle with either a re-tuned version of the 1.2-litre three-pot cylinder of the Tiago or the turbocharged unit of the Nexon. However, new details say that the all-new 45X would be offered with an all-new engine in the market.

According to TBHP, the all-new 45X would get a new 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that would also get a mild-hybrid system. The mild-hybrid system is expected to be similar to the ones we see in the Maruti vehicles in India.

The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine is said to be all-new but it will be based on the same engine block as the 1.2-litre engine that powers the Tiago. Tata may work to make it more powerful and reduce the vibrations as the X451 would be a premium product. Until now, only Maruti offers mild-hybrid systems in the vehicles that turn off the engine during idling and also uses a bigger battery to help with the vehicle’s acceleration. It reduces fuel consumption significantly.

The diesel engine is expected to be the same 1.5-litre unit that powers the Nexon as the 1.0-litre unit that powers the Tiago is quite underpowered for the segment. In the Nexon, the turbo-diesel engine produces a maximum of 108 Bhp and 260 Nm of peak torque but the engine is expected to be tweaked. It remains unknown if Tata would use the mild-hybrid system in the diesel versions too.

Tata showcased the 45X at the 2018 Auto Expo in New Delhi and it looks very futuristic. Tata has been keeping the vehicle designs quite similar to the concept models in the recent past and the production version of the 45X is expected to follow the same path. The premium hatchback would get a sharp design with sleek headlamps and tail lamps.

The premium hatchback would mark Tata’s entry in the segment that already sees stiff competition between the Honda Jazz, Elite i20 and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The X451 can create a few ripples in the segment as it did with the Nexon and the Tiago. At a later stage, Tata is also expected to launch a sedan version of the X45 that would take on the Ciaz and the Hyundai Verna.