As part of its new strategy, Tata Motors will be launching at least two new products every year. While the Zest and Bolt are scheduled for launch in the coming weeks, the year 2015 will see the company bring the Indica replacement to the market. Codenamed as the ‘Kite’ project, the heavily camouflaged hatchback was caught testing once again outside Tata’s facility in Pimpri, partially revealing the interiors for the first time on the upcoming model.
Rivaling the Maruti Suzuki Celerio in the segment, the Tata Kite will be sharing several components inside the cabin and mechanically as well with the Bolt and Indica. While the interiors were partially camouflaged, the layout did seem similar to the one found on the Zest, but more simple. Tata had earlier confirmed that all the new models will get the bigger and better steering wheel from the Zest and a similar unit is visible on the test mule as well. The instrument cluster also looks new with brushed silver bezels, while the centre console and air-con vents are similar to the ones found on the Xenon pickup.
In terms of dimensions, the Tata Kite hatchback will tuck-in between the Nano and Bolt with plenty of cabin space to offer. A perpetual successor to the Indica, expect the car to get the design language from the new Bolt with a wide honeycomb mesh grille, large headlamps and horizontally stacked wraparound tail lights. In terms of engine options, a smaller 900cc 3-cylinder version of the Revotron petrol engine is said to be in the works, while a 3-cylinder DICOR diesel unit could also join the line-up in the future.
Tata will most certainly also provide a CNG variant of the Kite hatchback post launch. Transmission options on the other hand will include a 5-speed manual and the F-Tronic automated manual (AMT) unit. Tata Motors will commence production of the Kite hatchback in the second half of 2015 at the Sanand plant in Gujarat. Originally intended to only produce the Nano, the Sanand plant has a capacity of 2.50 lakh units per annum and the company also plans to produce a sedan version based on the Kite later in the timeline that will replace the Indigo sedan.
Source – Cartoq