Tata Harrier JTP: What it could look like

Tata Motors has been spied testing a Harrier at Coimbatore near Jayem Automotive. Jayem Automotive is an active  collaborator with Tata Motors and also the automaker’s partner for the high performance car brand JTP. While the  Harrier spotted near Jayem could be a regular version undergoing some testing ahead of the launch, there’s the  possibility of the test mule being a high-performance JTP version of the car.

Hat tip to CarToq reader Lokesh, from Erode – Tamilnadu, for sending in these exclusive pictures. Meanwhile, here’s a speculative render that shows  what a Tata Harrier JTP could look like.

While Tata Motors is yet to announce firm plans for the JTP variant of the Harrier, such a model can’t be ruled out  given the fact that the Tiago and Tigor already have JTP trims, and the Nexon is all set to follow suit. Being the  flagship offering from Tata Motors, the Harrier getting a JTP trim is just apt. Currently though, the SUV will be  offered with a single diesel engine-manual gearbox combination.

Tata Motors is steering clear of an all wheel drive layout for the Harrier at launch although such a feature could be  added to the SUV in future. Also, a petrol engine is not a part of the Harrier’s variant mix at the time of launch.  Again, the petrol engine is also likely to be offered on the Harrier in future. We expect a turbocharged petrol motor  to be fitted to this SUV.

Reports on the internet suggest that the JTP variant of the Harrier will use a high performance, Ingenium turbo  petrol engine sourced from Jaguar-Land Rover, two luxury car marques owned by Tata Motors. The Ingenium petrol motor makes about 240 PS in Jaguar-Land Rover cars. On the Harrier JTP, it could be significantly detuned to ensure  differentiation. Another report suggests that the Harrier could get a hybrid petrol option in future, with two wheels  driven by the petrol motor and the other two by the electric motor.

Meanwhile, the regular version of the Harrier has been fully revealed, specifications, et all. The SUV will be  officially launched in early January and bookings for the same are already open at all Tata Motors passenger car dealerships across India. The SUV is expected to debut with prices ranging between 15-19 lakhs. It will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV500 and the Jeep Compass.

Tata has loaded the Harrier up with features, both in terms of creature comforts and safety. In fact, the Harrier is  the most feature-rich car that Tata Motors has ever produced. From multi-stage ESP and 6 airbags, to a floating 8.8  touchscreen infotainment system and a JBL sourced 320w stereo, the Tata Harrier is stuffed. The SUV promises to  redefine the segment. Watch this space for our full review.

Via IAB