We take a look at the mid-2000s concept car design direction from Tata Motors
Tata Motors recently updated its design language, making the cars look sharper and modern. A significant improvement over their prior humble design aesthetic. But did you know that in 2006, when they sold cars like the Indica, Indigo and Xenon, Tata Motors had big ambitions, unveiled the super cool, futuristic and unique looking Tata Cliffrider at the 76th Geneva Auto Show, describing it as a “Multi-Utility Lifestyle Vehicle”.This car would have easily been an enthusiast’s favourite!
This revolutionary design was spawned from the Tata Xover that had debuted at the 75th Geneva Auto Show. The Cliffrider had a high-slung sedan-like shape, combining the elegant and dynamic elements of an automobile with the utility of a pickup truck. Regardless, its design was intended to appeal to those who valued both adventure and functionality in their vehicle.
The Cliffrider’s exterior followed the visual idea of the previous Xover concept, with sleek door trims and a clever design that hid the core pillar. This enabled easier access to the rear seats, by having suicide doors (the front doors hinged at the front and the rear doors at the back) similar to the ones in many Rolls-Royce cars.
The interior emphasised space and elegance, with a unique ventilation system and driver-focused instrumentation integrated into the steering column. The roll bar’s broad beam lights and load body suited to handle mountain bikes, skis or snowboards added to the fun and adventurous spirit. In addition, the load tray could be covered to protect objects from the elements and hide them from view. The pick-up truck came in a 4-seater configuration.
The truck concept came with an EURO IV DICOR engine and a petrol V6 engine. It included modern safety and convenience features like multiple airbags, ABS, traction control and navigation control. The Cliffrider was offered with 4×2 and 4×4 configurations, ensuring adaptability across different terrains.
Its appearance and functionality were intended to demonstrate Tata Motors’ concept of a future utility vehicle that met the needs of customers looking for a versatile, all-terrain vehicle. The Xover was later introduced in production form as the Tata Aria, after some cosmetic changes to make it more practical. It would have been wonderful if Tata had introduced the Cliffrider into the market. A V6 petrol with 4×4 and Tata’s engineering! This car would have been a delight for enthusiasts not just in India but around the globe as proven by the Tata Aria and Hexa.
