Official: Tata Nexon compact SUV’s production timeline revealed

Snapshot: Just days ago, Tata Motors showcased the Nexon compact SUV concept at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo to rave initial impressions. Now, Tata Motors has officially revealed a production timeframe for this concept. According to Ranjit Yadav – the stand-in president of Tata Motors’ passenger vehicles business unit – the Nexon will hit production in the next 24 months. Therefore, by early 2016, expect to see the Nexon compact SUV concept’s production version to roll onto Indian streets. 

The Nexon compact crossover is based on a modified version of Tata Motors’ age-old X1 platform, whose first product was the first-gen Indica hatchback that was launched a decade and half ago, in 1998. Ever since, the X1 platform has played host to a flurry of passenger cars in the hatchback and sedan segments. However, the Nexon represents the first instance of the X1 platform underpinning a compact crossover/SUV.

In concept guise, the Nexon is powered by a 1.2 liter turbocharged petrol engine good for 108 Bhp-170 Nm. The gearbox is a 5 speed semi-automatic item, now that Tata Motors has jumped onto the automated manual transmission in a big way. Both front wheel drive and all wheel drive options are likely to be made available on the production version of the Nexon compact crossover/SUV. Measuring under 4 meters in length, the Nexon will qualify as a small car in India.

With Tata Motors developing a new range of turbo diesel engines for its future cars, one such unit from the new crop of diesel motors is likely to be shoehorned into the Nexon’s engine bay. Of course, Tata Motors will have the tried and tested, 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet option (90 Bhp-200 Nm) to fall back on as a back up option. The production-spec Nexon will seat 5 and will go neck-to-neck with the likes of the Ford EcoSport and the Renault Duster in terms of price and positioning.

Don’t miss CarToq’s video coverage of the Nexon straight from the showfloor of the 2014 Indian Auto Expo

Source IndianExpress