Tata Motors keeps conducting routine tests on its cars as part of ensuring the vehicles are reliable. The company has its plant in Pune, around which it usually sends out its cars with an On Test badge added for good measure. Recently Prem Shetty from Pune spotted this left-hand drive Xenon near Satara and on the Pune-Bangalore highway. Although this could very well be passed as a routine test by Tata Motors but could the company be testing the automated manual transmission which it showcased on the Xenon at the 2012 Auto Expo?
The Automated manual transmission is a mix of automatic and manual transmission and features a regular clutch, which is operated electronically. While the benefits of this would be dual in the sense it offers the driver with a clutch free operation for the leg, while at the same time giving him the ability to shift gears as per his liking. Tata Motors might not look at launching this technology in the Indian Xenon in the near future and might just reserve this feature for the export markets. Either ways, the company is developing some interesting things to look forward to.
