Tata 45X (Maruti Baleno rival) premium hatchback caught testing: Video + Spyshots

Tata is on a roll and is launching a slew of new cars in the Indian market. After introducing the Tiago JTP and Tigor JTP in the Indian market, Tata is working to launch the all-new Harrier. The all-new SUV would be launched in January 2019. Post the launch of the Harrier, Tata will bring in the all-new hatchback, which is currently codenamed as 45X and is spotted regularly on the Indian roads.

Here is one more video that shows the Tata 45X on test on the Indian roads. We have also received spyshots of a production version Tata 45X from our reader Megharaj Javali from Bangalore.  Hat tip, Megharaj. 

The Tata 45X is one of the much-awaited vehicles in the Indian market. It will mark Tata’s entry into the world of premium hatchbacks. The 45X would take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20. This would be the most expensive hatchback from the brand in the Indian market. Tata has not announced an official launch date for the 45X but it has hinted that the vehicle would be launched by the second quarter of 2019.

Even though the test vehicles remain heavily under the camouflage, it can be expected that Tata would design the production version very close to the concept version as it has always done. After the seeing the examples of the Nexon and the H5X to Harrier, we can safely assume that the production version of the 45X would carry a number of similarities to the 45X concept that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. The car will become the first one to be based on the Advanced Modular Platform (AMP), which has been named as the Alpha Arc.

The production version of the Tata 45X is expected to be powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. There would be a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine, which also powers the Nexon and the diesel engine could be the 1.1-litre turbocharged unit, which is currently being developed.

The naturally aspirated version of the same engine is available with the Tata Tiago in the Indian market. Tata is also expected to launch automatic transmission with the 45X. According to a few reports, the all-new 45X may offer a dual-clutch transmission.

Tata has always priced their products very aggressively in the Indian market and the production version of the 45X is expected to carry an aggressive price tag too. The 45X is likely to undercut the rivals like Hyundai Elite i20 and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno in the market.

Tata may also offer a hot-hatch version of the 45X at a later stage. That will take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS. Tata will also bring in a sedan version based on the 45X in the future and that would take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the Hyundai Verna.