Tata SA's first teaser image shows at least four new models are on the way.
Image: Supplied
Tata is returning to the South African passenger vehicle market after a six-year hiatus, and the products on offer may surprise you.
During its previous 15-year stint on the local market, Tata primarily sold variations of its Indica hatchback, which was a back-to-basics vehicle that epitomised no-frills motoring.
The Indian carmaker’s range has since been modernised, and now offers a full line-up of crossover and SUV models, some with striking designs that could turn heads on our streets.
The new Tata passenger car range will be imported by Motus, a retail giant that also represents popular brands such as Hyundai, Kia, and Renault in South Africa. This is not related to the Tata commercial vehicle operation, which never exited our market and which continues to trade under Tata International South Africa.
While further details will be made available at the official launch event on the evening of August 19, we do know that the initial line-up will kick off with at least four models, including one hatchback and three SUVs.
Tata will once again target the entry-level hatchback market in Mzansi with the Tiago, which is the direct successor of the long-standing Indica, which was also referred to as the Bolt in later years.
Tata Tiago.
Image: Supplied
Nonetheless, the Tiago boasts a modern exterior design that should please most buyers. Sized between the Suzuki Celerio and Swift, it could make a significant impact on the local budget hatch market if Tata gets the pricing right.
Power comes from a normally aspirated 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 64kW and 115Nm through a five-speed manual or automated manual (AMT) transmission.
There’s nothing revolutionary in terms of specification, but flagship models in India do offer niceties such as a Harman infotainment system with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a digital instrument cluster and automatic climate control. Magazine pockets are also listed as a selling point!
Based on the company’s Agile Light Flexible Advanced Architecture (ALFA-ARC), the 3,827mm-long Tata Punch is a boxy compact SUV that will go up against the Hyundai Exter and Nissan Magnite.
Tata Punch.
Image: Supplied
Like the Tiago, it is powered by the normally aspirated 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine, producing 64kW and 115Nm in this instance, and driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual or AMT.
Key features available abroad include a voice assisted electric sunroof, 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charger and automatic climate control.
The most daring model on offer locally will be the Curvv crossover, which is a coupe-inspired variation of the Nexon compact SUV. Measuring 4.3 metres in length, this one is likely to go up against Citroen’s forthcoming Basalt.
Tata Curvv.
Image: Supplied
In India this Tata is offered with two 1.2-litre turbopetrol engines, in 88kW and direct injection 92kW guises, and an 87kW 1.5 turbodiesel is also available.
This is where Tata really starts to shift upmarket.
Based on parent company Jaguar Land Rover’s D8 platform, the 4.6-metre-long Harrier is the size of a Volkswagen Tiguan and fitted with a 125kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine.
Tata Harrier.
Image: Supplied
The Harrier is a five-seater, but it is closely related to the seven-seat Safari, which may also be on the cards for South Africa at some point.
In its home market the Harrier is available with features like a 31.2cm Harman HD touchscreen, 10-speaker JBL sound system with selectable audio modes, 360-degree surround view camera, multiple voice assistants with Car2Home connectivity and a suite of Level 2 ADAS driver assistance features.
The four models we’ve mentioned are visible in Tata’s local teaser material, but they aren’t necessarily the only vehicles under consideration for South Africa.
There are at least three others that could potentially compete in our market, including the Polo-sized Altroz hatchback, the Nexon compact SUV, which slots between the Punch and Harrier, and the aforementioned seven-seat Safari SUV.
At this stage, there’s no word on whether any bakkies will be offered on the local market. Tata previously offered the Telcoline and Xenon pick-ups locally.
Watch this space for more information on the new Tata line-up following the official launch event on Tuesday.