Indian automaker Tata Motors is developing a new compact SUV which will be a head-on competitor to the Mahindra TUV300 and Ford EcoSport.
Tata Motors is betting big on the market by developing a whole lot of new products spanning across various segments. The Indian automaker launched the Zest and Bolt and now they are coming up with the Kite as well as the Hexa crossover, the latter will be replacing the ageing Aria. The company also wants to foray in the compact SUV segment and for that Tata Motors is developing a new vehicle which has been codenamed the Osprey (Nexon was the concept shown last year).
The new Tata Osprey is based on the same platform that also underpins the Bolt and Zest. It will be offered with two engines and two transmission choices. The petrol engine will be the same 1.2-litre Revotron turbocharged unit mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The engine offers three driving modes – City, Eco and Sport. The 1.3-litre Multijet oil-burner will also be offered with the choice of a 5-speed manual transmission or an AMT gearbox which is also offered on the Zest.
The vehicle will be a 5-seater but there is a hint of probability that Tata Motors might just squeeze in a third row seating arrangement similar to that of the Mahindra Quanto. On the looks front, we can expect the front fascia to share some styling elements with the Bolt and Zest. The interiors will boast of good quality components and a decently big equipment list will be offered. The vehicle is still a prototype and it will be launched only in late 2016.
Tata Motors will launch the Osprey compact SUV at a price tag of Rs. 6-10 lakhs (ex-showroom) and it will be a straight competitor to the Ford EcoSport and Mahindra TUV300. Maruti Suzuki is also developing a compact SUV, likely to be called the Vitara Brezza. The compact SUV segment will witness an intense battle with the arrival of these new entrants and it will be interesting to see who manages to crack it. Tata Motors might showcase the Osprey at the upcoming 2016 Auto Expo.
Source – ZigWheels.com
