Tata Aria 4X4 Automatic Spotted Testing in India

An un-camouflaged test mule of the Tata Aria 4X4 Automatic crossover was recently spotted testing on Pune roads. The Aria in question featured an automatic gearbox, presumably a 6 speed unit sourced from General Motors, along with the 4X4 system that the crossover’s manual variant comes with, in the Pride variant. Apart from the automatic transmission, the 2.2 liter-4 cylinder turbo diesel engine of the vehicle is likely to get a big bump up in torque.

While peak power of the Aria Automatic Concept showcased at Geneva 2013, and the Indonesia International Motor Show of 2014, was rated at 154 Bhp, peak torque had gone up by nearly 80 Nm, to 400 Nm. The higher state of tune is what the automatic variant of the flagship Tata car is likely to receive when it gets signed off for production. Although feature loaded, well finished and very capable, the Aria has found the going very tough at the hustings.

Very few cars in India have recovered from initial pricing debacles and the crossover from Tata Motors firmly finds itself in a very difficult position. A facelift is on the cards for the 7 seater, one of the most spacious of its kinds in the Indian car market. The facelift is expected to see the addition of the automatic transmission, a more powerful state of tune for the 2.2 diesel motor, and cosmetic revisions.

Code-named the Eagle, a comprehensive facelift is being worked upon for the Aria. However, the time frame for the major facelift is said to have been pegged for 2016, which is over a year from now. In the interim, expect the Aria to be launched in India with the automatic gearbox and the more powerful state of tune in tow. If Tata Motors can keep the price of the automatic 4X4 variant competitive, the crossover could get a new lease of life at the hustings.

Since the Aria and the Safari Storme share the 2.2 liter diesel engine, the latter gaining an automatic gearbox and the higher state of tune is a distinct possibility. The Storme, in its present guise, could do with a torque boost, and the 2.2 liter mill’s more powerful state of tune seems to be good fit. An automatic gearbox for the Storme will make the SUV better placed to tackle the Mahindra Scorpio Facelift, whose automatic variant is about to be launched shortly.

Spyshots courtesy IndianAutosBlog