Tata Hornbill HBX micro-SUV spotted testing once again

Tata HBX Concept was one of the most attention-grabbing vehicles at the Auto Expo 2020. The micro-SUV is expected to launch sometime this year in the Indian market. Recently, there are some new spy shots of the production-spec HBX that was spotted in Panchgani, Maharashtra during on-road testing. The testing for the HBX has been going on for quite some time. The prototype now looks like it is in its final testing stage. From the spy shots, we can see the tall-boy design of the HBX. Tata Motors earlier said that the production-spec HBX will retain 95 percent of the design that we saw on the HBX Concept at the Auto Expo 2020. The HBX will be based on the IMPACT 2.0 design language that has been receiving a good response from all the vehicles. The vehicles depict that the HBX is fitted with production-spec elements which means that the vehicle is in the final stage of testing.

We can see the split headlamp design as we have seen on the Harrier and the recently launched Safari. The front is upright with a flat bonnet which is inspired by the SUVs. We do not know that the upper strip will be a LED Daytime Running Lamp or not, but we can assume that it will function as a turn indicator. The strip also integrates well with the grille. Then there are the halogen headlamps and the lower half of the bumper gets fog lamps too.

It also gets Tata’s tri-arrow grille design for the air dam. At the side profile, we can see production-ready dual-tone alloy wheels which looks distinct. There are roof rails, turn indicators on the outside rearview mirror At the rear, the windscreen is steeply raked and it gets circular tail lamps which should be LEDs. There is also a rear spoiler, rear washer with wiper and a high mounted stop lamp. Overall, the rear of the HBX is a bit bulky when compared to the front.

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

The spy shots do not give us a look at the cabin of the HBX but we do know some things from the previous spy shots. It will come with a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, contoured seats with contrast stitching, square AC vents and an all-black cabin.

In terms of features, there will be a multi-function steering wheel, push-button to start/stop and climate control. It is expected that Tata will be using a part digital instrument cluster with an analogue speedometer just like we have seen on the Altroz.

Tata will offer HBX with a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine that we have seen on the Tiago hatchback and Tigor compact sedan. The engine is capable of producing 84 PS of max power and 114 Nm of peak torque. It will be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. Tata HBX will be competing against the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, Mahindra KUV100 NXT and the upcoming Hyundai AX1 micro-SUV. The HBX will be launched sometime in 2021 and will be priced around Rs. 4 lakhs ex-showroom

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