Tata Motors launch the Indica Vista

Just like Tata,microsoft too had big dreams with its latest product[Vista] which has more or less been nothing but a dissapointment.Same seems to be the case with the Indica vista too,although early days the new car from Tata too isn't particularly something to be proud of.

The indica needed to be something from the future if it has to take on the likes of the honda jazz,the hyundai i-10,maruti splash and Toyota's new car.However from the first signs the car seems to have missed the mark.A detailed review is awated.

Tata has made it clear this car is for meant for export and can be clearly seen in the centrally mounted instrument cluster which I not a big fan off.Looks wise too I am not particulary impressed.Tata also are using the same fiat multijet diesel engine only they are calling it quadrajet.Tata have dissapointed further by leaving out airbags and saying that they will introduce it once exports begin.The petrol engine is interestingly called safire.At 4.88 lakhs[ex-showroom new delhi] is it value for money its upto you to decide.

Microsoft Vista was and is a complete dissapointment hopefully the Indica vista does not disappoint as much.

[picture source:the telegraph]

Lack of New Models Hurts Tata Motors badly

Hyundai motors has just overtaken Tata Motors to become the second largest passenger car manufacturer in India.

So what is ailing tata motors.You dont need to be an einstein to figure out what the problem is.Tata motor have not introduced new models in the market for a long time and the overuse of the indica platform is coming to haunt tata motors.

Tata has been using the present indica platform since the past ten years now and although the 2008 indica has come a long way since the first indica in 2008 there has been no drastic change for the past ten years to speak off.A Ten year shelflife is way too long for a car

Then there is the question of quality,Tata aren't renowed for their quality and they have done nothing to improve this perception.Niggles are part and parcel of a Tata car owner's even in this generation where nothing but zero defects is acceptable,perhaps Tata motors could learn a thing or two from TCS.

Lastly tata cars[leaving aside the safari] have all taken up the taxi tag and individual buyers think twice before buying a car from Tata Motors only because of the Taxi tag.

However Hyundai may not be able to hold on to this position for long though as in terms of sheer volume alone the Nano would help tata motors zoom past hyundai and even maruti suzuki.That said Tata motors does need to pull up its socks if it has to survive in this highly competitve industry where things are only going to get tougher.

Tata launches LPG indica: But why buy One ?

Normally in the case of the Indica if you drive a lot you opt for the popular diesel or you buy the petrol[which even the dealer asks you why?]Now once you start using the petrol you realise your mistake and want a cheaper fuel alternative and end up with that retrofitted LPG kit[The money for which would have helped you buy the diesel in the first place].And then the nightmare starts,frequent dealer visits do not seem to solve the problem.

Now however the company is offering an LPG variant[unlike the earlier retrofitted at company authorised outlet] which should make things better,safer and all importantly more reliable.Although LPG is comparable if not better than diesel when it comes to running costs given the fact that automobile LPG[using domestic LPG is dangerous and is illegal]is not that widespread and the fact that you have to donate a large part of your already non-existent boot makes me feel that you are better off with the diesel in the first place.

However for those interested in LPG,the company LPG variant is the best bet and I have heard of numerous horror stories after retrofitting the LPG kit even at the company authorized centre.You do not have a major loss in power using the LPG variant and you can shift between fuels[petrol and LPG] on the move.Pricing is Rs.3.27 for the GLE version and Rs.3.42 for the GLS version.Tech specs read as 65.3 PS @ 5000 rpm with petrol and 62 PS @ 5000 rpm with LPG. It has a peak torque of 102Nm @2600 rpm.

However I am not convinced still and feel if you have the diesel option then prefer that.

[source:EconomicTimes]

Tata motors plant rolls out first Tata Nano

The first Tata nano has rolled out from a Tata Motors plant in Uttarakhand and not singur as expected.

But don't just rush to the Tata dealer yet.These cars will not be for sale but are test vehicles for Tata.Tata will now use these vehicles for extensive testing to see that the vehicle is able to meet the harsh conditions that the Nano would have to face,after all this vehicle is expected to cater to the most diverse segment of consumers.

Tata also want to make sure that the Nano does not become a laughing stock when it is launched.However like the Indica launch before I expect the initial batch to have its niggles and expect better quality from the Nano v2 onwards.The indica experience would however ensure that Tata are in a better position now.

As for singur the first test vehicle s would be launched from that plant from june/july.

[Source:Sify]

Classics-Tata Indica ad

One of my all time favorite car advertisement from Tata Motors.Was looking out for it and finally found it.Thought I should share it with everybody.

The Monster from Tata

Nope we are not talking about a truck or a bus,its the good old indica we are talking about and yes you read that right.

Tata have produced a V6 3.5L moster indica concept car called the Silhouette.The 3.5 liter V6 engine (a race-ready version of the Renault-Nissan VQ engine) produces 330 PS at 7.000rpm.0-100kmph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 270 kmph.The engine is mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox.

Its not your everyday indica,for starters the engine is not where you will usually find it,its mounted in the rear of the car.The 2-seater car is built on a space frame steel chassis and uses an adjustable progressive rate pneumatic suspension system.

[Source:Paultan.org]

Tata motors to manufacture Indica and Nano in Thailand

Tata Motors is going places.Its not only the Jaguar and Landrover brands which are expected to spread the word about Tata.Tata Motors will also use its own vehicles to establish Brand Tata Motors throughout the world.

After the Tata Xenon pickup,Tata motors is now all set to manufacture the indica ,possibly the nano and the next generation indica[lets call it the indica v3] in the thai market.The thai government is encouraging manufacturers in Thailand to set up plants for manufacturing cars which have engines less than 1.4L and 4 out of five components of the engine should be manufactured in thailand.Further the manufacturer has to sell 1 lakh of these "eco" cars in five years time.

Tata's are aready used to these specifications in India ,what changes is the E20 specification which should not be a major challenge to achieve for Tata.This incentive can help Tata penetrate into the other south east asian markets too and improve the image of the company in the eyes of the environmentalists.

Also read:
Tata unveil third generation Indica[v3]

Tata unveil third generation Indica

Tata have unveiled the next generation of its most popular passenger vehicle the Indica, ten years since it was first launched on roads.

The new Indica has a 1.2L petrol engine and the fiat multijet 1.3L diesel engine.This indica would be an upgrade over the existing model in terms of pricing as well.Launch date not yet declared.This indica would be sold alongside the older generation model.

Image source:The Hindu Businessline


My first thoughts,The Indica third generation is a bit of a disappointment especially since it is to be sold in the B+ segment.With the Sumo grande thought Tata would take a bolder design style but this somehow does not make that cut hopefully as the launch date nears Tata bring about a few changes.


Press release of third generation Indica:

New Indica: The new generation Indica has been given a complete makeover and surprises with its stunning looks with a two box construction. It has a sporty frontal look with its distinctive wide-eyed stylised headlamps and pronounced signature Tata grill. The look is accentuated by muscular wheel arches sharp creases merging with its contoured surfaces and the sleek, full-length tail lamps. In the interior, the distinctive instrument cluster is now placed in the centre of the dashboard between the passenger and the driver seats.

The new Indica is bigger than the current Indica with a length of 3795 mm (existing 3675 mm), width of 1695 mm, height of 1550 mm and wheelbase of 2470 mm (existing 2400 mm). The rear sloping wind screen also increases the sense of spaciousness in the passenger cabin. The new Indica will be available with a new range of world class diesel and petrol engines and transmissions with a new suspension. The car will be offered with a new 1.3 litre Quadra-Jet Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel engine and a 1.2 litre Safire MPFI VVT Petrol engine, which will be manufactured at the new Tata-Fiat joint venture plant at Ranjangaon in Maharashtra, besides existing Tata powertrains. The car will sport a 5 speed synchromesh gearbox with overdrive, bigger 175/65 R 14 tubeless tyres and a twist beam suspension. The new Indica will be launched in the latter part of 2008 and will coexist with the present Indica range at a higher price point.
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Press release of second generation indica[please do not mix this with the one I have referred above]:

Indica V2 DICOR: The Indica V2 has been a leader in the diesel hatchback market in India, ever since its launch in 1998, when it created the diesel small car segment. In 2005, it strengthened its diesel portfolio with the launch of Indica V2 Turbo, a turbo-charged diesel car. It has now further expanded its diesel portfolio with the launch of its latest common rail diesel offering- the Indica V2 DICOR.

The car features a water-cooled 1.4 L direct injection common rail (DICOR) diesel engine with exhaust gas recirculation and an oxidation catalyst with a turbocharger and an intercooler. This in turn results in an enhanced output of 70 PS @ 4000 rpm and an increased torque of 140 Nm @ 1800-3000 rpm, resulting in excellent pick up and a superior overall driving experience. The DICOR engine also ensures linear power delivery from the start and up to 15% better fuel efficiency. The Indica V2 DICOR goes on sale immediately with a price (ex-showroom, Delhi) of Rs.4.25 lakhs.