There will be a long wait for the 4×4 version of the Harrier, keeping the off-road enthusiasts biting their nails.
Tata Motors has confirmed that there will be a 4×4 variant of the Harrier SUV in the future, but that won’t be a priority currently. Officials of the company have said that they have shifted their focus towards updating their passenger vehicle line-up to comply with the BS6 regulations and that the Harrier 4×4 would eventually be launched.
The company officials have also mentioned that only a minority of people want a 4×4 system while most customers opt for the 4×2 variants. The company is also under a lot of workload due to the challenges that the transformation to BS6 norms imposes.
The 4×4 version of the SUV would require a ton on re-engineering in terms of the position of the propeller shaft. Harrier currently comes equipped with an off-road system that features an elementary Terrain Response system, that comes with 3 modes, namely, Normal, Wet and Rough. The 4×4 variant might be updated with a more complex system that may share bits and pieces with the Land Rover range.
A 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with direct-injection technology is being developed by Tata Motors and is set to debut on the Harrier in 2020. Along with this, an updated version of the current 2.0-litre FCA-sourced diesel engine will also be featured in 2020.
Tata Harrier 4×4 Launch
– The 4×4 variant isn’t a priority for Tata right npw
– The Omega platform would need to be re-engineered to fit the 4×4 system
– The company is focussing on making its cars BS6 compliant
Source – AutocarIndia.com