Source Autocarindia website
We knew it was coming, and now we can show you what it will look like.
The all-new Indigo, based on the new Indica Vista, will be in showrooms
by March 2009. But it isn’t a simple case of sticking a boot onto the
Vista. Instead, the new Indigo gets a lengthened wheelbase and
different engines. Tata Motors wants to take the new Indigo more
upmarket without losing its value proposition, but the taxi fleet image
is something that Tata consciously wants to avoid.
The nose of the new Indigo will retain the Indica’s sweeping angular
headlights, but should benefit from a more prominent grille, with
oodles of chrome for a rich look. At the rear, the Indigo gets
vertically-stacked taillights, which are in keeping with the overall
design and are sure to lend it a distinct identity from the rear as
well. Whether they’re good-looking or not is a matter of personal
taste, but Tata’s designers have done well to disguise the bulk of the
rear. The tapering roof and C-pillar, with a more rakish rear
windscreen give the whole car a more cohesive look, without really
compromising on rear headroom.
The lengthened wheelbase is sure to liberate more in-cabin space as
well, to improve upon what is already a roomy car. As far as budget
limos go, the new Indigo should set quite the benchmark.
Engine options will be the same as those on the Linea, with a 90bhp
version of the Fiat’s Multi-jet motor, but whether Tata will stick to
the Quadrajet nomenclature as on the Indica is to be seen. There could
also be the 16-valve twin-cam 1.4-litre petrol from Fiat as well.
Prices should start around Rs 5 lakh for the base versions, and there
could also be an executive variant, complete with rear A/C vents,
Bluetooth, and perhaps even a DVD screen. As always, Tata will face a
challenge with quality, notably fit-and-finish, but if it manages to
have these sorted on the new Indigo, it looks to be a strong seller
indeed.
Yours trulyLets hope the car goes places and leads in the "C" segment.At a time when nothing seems to go well for the Tatas including the Taj Hotel 26/11 incidents, the JLR bailout proposals, the CORUS Steel layoffs of 600 workers and also the recently failed rights equity issue of Tata Motors, it is hoped that the new Indigo will spruce up the Tata brand.