Tata Altroz (Maruti Baleno-challenger) to go hybrid [Video]

Tata Motors will soon reveal the production version of the X45 at the Geneva Motor Show, which has been christened as the Altroz. The premium hatchback will be a first from Tata and will take on the cars like Hyundai Elite i20 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno in the Indian market. The Altroz will be the first car to be built on the all-new ALFA Arc platform of the brand and in a new video, Tata Motors reveal all the functionalities of the all-new ALFA Arc platform.

Tata Motors will heavily rely on the modular platform going forward and in the video, Tata Motors reveals that the all-new Alfa platform is highly scalable, which means that the platform can be changed to offer different wheelbase, front and rear track width to underpin various vehicles in the future. The video also shows multiple body types that the platform will be able to support. The video shows a sedan, a hatchback, an SUV and an MUV in a sketch form on the same platform.

The video also reveals the platform’s capability to introduce hybrid and electrified products in the future. There were a few rumours saying that the all-new Altroz will offer a hybrid drivetrain too, but it is highly unlikely at the moment. However, the platform is capable enough to introduce such a feature, if required. Tata Motors, however, will also showcase the electrified version of the Tata Altroz at the Geneva Motor Show. It will be launched at a later time in the Indian market, but it is possible that the all-new car is sold in the European markets before the official launch in India. The electrified vehicles are much more popular in the developed markets due to the availability of various schemes and a robust charging network.

Interestingly, Tata is also developing an all-new SUV for the Indian market that will bridge the gap between the Nexon and the Harrier. Codenamed as the Blackbird, the all-new SUV will be built on the same Alfa Arc platform. However, Tata will modify the platform heavily to underpin the all-new SUV. The production version of the project Blackbird is expected to be launched in 2020. The Blackbird SUV has replaced the sedan version that was planned on be launched in the Indian market. The all-new sedan would have been the sedan-version of the Altroz and rivalled the vehicles like Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and the Honda City.

The all-new Tata Altroz will be launched in the Indian market by the festive season this year. It will get powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol variants are expected to get powered by the 1.2-litre turbocharged, 3-cylinder petrol engine and 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine. Both the engine options are available with the Tata Nexon too. However, Tata is expected to re-tune them and offer higher power versions with the upcoming Altroz.