CHANDAN B MALLIK, Kolkata: Tata Motors has been indicating its aspirations in the passenger car segment with ideas like the 45X concept. The recently introduced Altroz 5-door hatchback is being positioned as a premium urban car and the first product developed on the new ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) Architecture. The modular and versatile platform allows Tata Motors to create various body styles (hatchback, CUV, sedan) supporting powertrains including petrol, diesel or even 100% electric.
The 45X concept was presented at the Auto Expo in February 2018, followed by a display at the Geneva International Motor Show in the same year.
The Altroz hatchback gets the brand’s evolving IMPACT 2.0 design language and it will be adapted to the internally coded X452 Peregrin sedan. Peregin is a derivative of the Altroz (code X451) for the sedan project.
Among major plus points for the sedan project is that the hatchback has earned Global NCAP 5-star ratings, has modern looks, proportions and stance.
Designers will have ensure now that the sedan’s overall design is proportionate and pleasant and not appear like a cut and paste job like 80s Austin Mini Metro. Analysts suggest that the E-Vision concept sedan that Tata Motors presented at the 2018 Geneva Auto Show as a premium EV could serve as the inspirational guide for the detailing of the Altroz sedan.
As a C-segment candidate for India, Tata Motors can equip it with either a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine or 1.5-litre diesel motor or. The sedan is likely to be introduced later in 2021.
Assuming the project has been greenlighted, we can expect pre-production mules being spotted in a couple of months.
