Exclusive! Tata Motors sells over 50% of Harrier SUVs in automatic variants

Tata Harrier was launched in the Indian market last year and earlier this year, the car was refreshed with a host of new features and the biggest addition – an automatic transmission. Well, in an exclusive, Tata Motors has told us that the automatic variants of the Harrier have a share of over 50% in the total sales. Now the new Harrier is selling about 2,000 units per month post the lockdown, which is a decent number.

While the updated Harrier offers a lot more than the previous version, it seems like the customers also have a lot to say about the updated version of the mid-size SUV. It is the first vehicle to be based on the OMEGA-Arc platform and it sure grabs a lot of attention on the roads. While the updated feature list does attract a lot of customers too.

What does 2020 Tata Harrier offer?

Also read: Upcoming Tata Hornbill HBX micro SUV front & rear in new spy shots

The biggest changes in the new 2020 Tata Harrier is its engine and transmission. It is still powered by the 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine. However, from the existing 140 PS, Tata Harrier now offers a big power jump of 170 PS. The torque output of 350 Nm remains identical. Taa has also added the automatic transmission to the new Harrier. It is a six-speed automatic and is extremely smooth to drive.

Tata has also updated the feature list and now the car offers a massive panoramic sunroof, 6-way adjustable powered driver’s seat, auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, and dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels. Tata has also introduced a new Calypso Red paint shade to the range and the mirrors are now differently designed to ensure better visibility from the driver’s seat.

Mahesh Krishna Murthy, who is a CA and is the owner of the Tata Harrier automatic variant and has driven it around for 5,000 km says that he chose the vehicle over the other for its looks, LR-derived platform and safety features. He also said that after considering vehicles like MG Hector and Seltos, he chose the Harrier for space. He even booked the MG Hector but later cancelled it for the Harrier. Even though the Harrier is priced higher than the Hector, he says that he preferred the local brand.

Tata Harrier takes on the MG Hector head-on but the higher-end variants of the vehicles like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks also compete with it. However, the Harrier is still missing a petrol engine, which the competition is offering. While Tata has not announced any development on the launch of a petrol variant of the Harrier, it may still be on the cards.

Tata’s upcoming launches

Currently, Tata is working on a few upcoming launches for the Indian market. The first car to be launched by them will be the Altroz, which is likely to get a turbocharged petrol engine and a Dual-Clutch automatic transmission. It will be the first car from the brand to offer a DCT. Later in the year, Tata will also launch the all-new Gravitas, which is a seven-seater SUV. Even the Hexa is expected to make a comeback in BS6 avatar and the same was showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. The biggest launch from the brand in 2021 will be the all-new HBX, which will be a micro SUV and compete with the likes of Ignis and KUV100 in the market.

Also read: MG Hector Facelift to be launched in 2021