Can a Tata Harrier SUV go off-roading? This video explains!

Launched on 23rd January 2019, the Tata Harrier has already become a very popular car in the Indian market. The all-new Tata Harrier has become the best-selling car in the segment and is currently outselling competitors like the Mahindra XUV500 and the Jeep Compass. The all-new car is priced at a value-for-money Rs 12.69 lakh for the entry-level model and is it gets a range of features. While Tata has equipped the all-new Harrier with an AWD system, it has developed an equipped car with Terrain Response System (TRS). But how good is the TRS and does it really make the Harrier more capable? Here’s a video showing the Tata Harrier doing various challenges to show how capable it is off the road.

The video put up on channel Travel,Food & Entertainment shows the Tata Harrier taking on various off-road challenges. It is demo car of Tata Motors showroom and it can be seen taking on pretty testing obstacles. The first challenge shows the Tata Harrier taking on a steep off-road incline. The FWD SUV can be seen taking the challenge successfully. In the process, the front tyres of the vehicle do skid for a bit but the TRS kicks in and the vehicle continues to complete the climb.

The SUV then takes a U-Turn and goes down the climb without much problem. The car is loaded with four passengers and with the load, the Harrier’s 205mm of ground clearance keeps the body away from the apex of the steep slope. The Harrier then climbs the same incline in reverse to show off its how good the departure angle and approach angle of the vehicle are. Even though all the occupants except for the driver get down of the vehicle during the attempt, it remains a difficult challenge. The Harrier can be seen struggling for a bit but with enough power and right steering angle, it climbs the slope.

The Tata Harrier’s TRS was developed for the Harrier and it utilises the vehicle’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to make it more capable than the most other 2WD SUVs available in the market. The system works by detecting the loss of traction on any of the front wheels and applying brakes on that so that the power can be supplied to the other wheel that is in contact with the ground. In most vehicles, the wheel, which is in the air or has low traction starts moving freely, making the vehicle stuck. However, the TRS in the Harrier eliminates that by applying the brake on that particular wheel and sending all the power to the other wheel.

Tata’s answer to not offering an AWD system on the Harrier is simple. They say that there is not enough demand for such vehicles in the Indian market. According to Tata’s current sales, only 1% car sold by brand every month comprises of the 4X4 or AWD vehicles, which is quite low in numbers. However, if the demand rises or Tata starts selling the Harrier in a country where the demand for 4X4 system is better than India then we can definitely expect Tata to launch more capable version of the SUV in the Indian market too.