The Kite is based on a heavily revised Indica platform and will be spawning a hatchback and compact sedan derivative to replace the Indica and Indigo eCS.
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Tata Motors is steadily working on its new range of products, two of which will hit the market every year. While the Zest and Bolt have been the new launches for the current financial year that replaced the Manza and Vista in the company’s lineup, Tata now plans to replace the age old Indica with an all-new model codenamed Kite. With the launch scheduled in the second half of this year, the Kite hatchback was spotted testing recently near Pune revealing its interiors only partially.
Based on a heavily revised Indica platform, the 2015 Tata Kite gets a completely new design language that will be different from the one seen on the Zest and Bolt. As seen in the images, the Kite doesn’t seem very different from the Hyundai i10 in terms of dimensions, the tall stance will ensure a decently sized and roomy cabin. On the inside, Tata has moved out of its utilitarian comfort zone and is taking a premium approach. While the steering wheel is basic, the air-con vents come in an eliptical shape. The overall quality will improve radically on the model, compared to the Indica. We expect to see certain segment first creature comforts also on offer.
The 2015 Kite will draw power from the newly developed 1.2-litre Revotron engine in a non-turbocharged avatar, while a new 1.05-litre diesel engine will also be on duty. Both the motors will come paired to a standard 5-speed manual transmission, while an AMT unit cannot be ruled out considering the Maruti Celerio already has it in the segment. In addition, the new Kite will spawn a compact sedan version with the same specifications as the hatchback that will be replacing the Indigo eCS in Tata Motors lineup. Both the models will be produced at the company’s Sanand facility in Gujarat that currently makes the Nano.
Source – Auto Column
