A Tata placed below Maruti Alto

The entry-level Indian car segment is dominated by Maruti Suzuki and its models like Maruti Alto. Even though Tata Motors has its ultra low cost Tata Nano placed below it, Maruti is still the market leader. But Tata Motors is now planning to launch a new car that will be positioned between the Tata Nano and the Tata Indica. According to Carl Peter Forster, this is a wide space that needs to be addressed. He said this at the launch of the company’s first cross-over vehicle Tata Aria.

 
 
Currently, Maruti Alto is the largest selling car in the Indian market and with the launch of the Maruti Alto with a K-series engine competition has some major rethinking to do. So, when Tata Motors comes up with the new small car it would be able to directly compete with the largest selling hatchback in the Indian market. According to media reports the car is expected to be launched by early 2012 and is likely to be powered by a 800cc engine.
 
As per media reports the car is in the development stage and vendors have been approached for specific components for the new car. Tata Motors at present offers Tata Nano, Tata Indica, Tata Indigo, Tata Manza, Tata Sumo, Tata Safari and Tata Aria.
 
The recently launched Tata Aria has been priced in the range of Rs 12 to 14 lakh and it would be in direct competition with existing players including Ford Endeavour, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Innova, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Captiva, Toyota Fortuner and upcoming Skoda Yeti. It is an eight seater luxurious MUV build on the roadster concept and comes with a 2.2L, DICOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) engine (same as Tata Safari). The engine produces 140bhp power at 4000rpm with 320Nm torque at 1700-2700rpm. It has a plethora of new and advanced features including disc type coupled with ABS and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system. The ESP is being offered for the first time in any Tata car. Aria’s power steering, efficient braking system with ESP and standard ground clearance ensure hassle free driving.