2014 Tata Zest Review
Car Tested: 2014 Tata Zest
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 5.51 – 8.43 lakhs
The Zest is a huge step up for Tata, it’s a vastly capable car with many segment firsts
From being the innovator to being the laggard, Tata Motors has been through a tough journey off late. The automaker which was solely responsible to kick start the sub 4-metre compact sedan class, was lagging behind massively in every segment. In fact, Tata Motors hasn’t launched a single all new product in the past five years and that has taken a hit on their market share. With a rejig of the the top management, coupled with new thinking, Tata Motors is now all set to climb the sales ladder with their all new cars, the Bolt and Zest. These vehicles have a lot riding on them, they have been spotted in-numerous times on test and promise a lot on paper. The Tata Zest is the first of the twins to arrive in the market and we drive it in pouring Goa to see if it ignites the Zest-y feeling.
Motor Quest: The sub 4-metre compact sedan segment was started by Tata Motors itself, when the company launched the Indigo CS in 2008. The Indigo became the world’s shortest sedan and the Manza was expected to come in compact guise as well. The Zest is the replacement of the Manza.
The highlight at the front are projector headlights and LED DRLs, the rear gets the wraparound treatment
Exteriors – One area where Tata cars weren’t fairing strongly was the design but the company has taken a step in the right direction with the Zest, which not only looks attractive but among the best styled compact sedans available in India today. It is still unmistakably a Tata in terms of visuals but there are many striking elements. At the front, you still get the signature Tata grille and there is a trapezoidal lower air dam which induces sportiness in the car. Next to the fog lights, there are daytime running lights while the headlights get projectors and light guide rings (activated with a button on the flip key). The hood gets a power bulge and there are plenty of lines running across the car, giving it immense character.
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/14604493836/[/flickr]
The Tata Zest has a neatly integrated boot and the body lines flow smoothly
The front carries what Tata designers like to call “The Humanity Line”, while the side has the “Slingshot Line” and “The Diamond DLO” but it really is the strong shoulder line and wraparound rear which make the Zest look so complete from any given angle. The rearview mirrors get turn indicators on them, the B-pillars are blackened and the car runs on 15-inch wheels (with alloy wheels standard on the mid and top variants). The boot is extremely well integrated and doesn’t look like an afterthought while the tail lights are LED units. The lower half of the bumper gets the black treatment to reduce the visual bulk with a thick chrome strip running above the number plate to add some flair to the trunk. The overall result is a car which looks fresh and exciting, the Tata Zest is one attractive vehicle.
