2019 has been a tough year for Tata Motors. Apart from the initial months when sales numbers had actually picked up, thanks to the Harrier, the overall year has bee slow for the Indian automaker. However, things could change, starting 2020. The much-awaited Tata Altroz will be unveiled in production-ready guise in first week of December 2019, followed by a launch in Jan 2020.
The Altroz was first displayed in its concept form at the 2018 Auto Expo in Delhi. Since then, there have been multiple incidences when the car has been spotted in public. Its official global unveil had taken place at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show (in near-production ready guise) and till now we have seen its test mules across the length and breadth of the country.
Tata had earlier planned launch of Altroz in July 2019. Test drives invites were sent to media, bookings open video was leaked, etc. But due to unknown reason, Tata cancelled the invite. Tata has again sent out media drive invites for first week of Dec 2019.
Though a clear reason behind delaying launch of Altroz is not available, it is believed that Tata decided to launch Altroz with BS6 engines right from start, rather than introducing an upgrade later in Feb-March’ 2020. Bringing a product with BS-6 engines makes more sense now as the regulatory deadline is just that much closer.
Talking about the car, it is based on Tata’s ALFA platform (Agile Light Flexible Advanced modular architecture) and gets Tata’s Impact 2.0 design. Dimension-wise, it measures 3,988mm in length, 1,505mm in height and 1,754mm in width. The top-end variants will get 16” alloy wheels while the wheelbase of the car will stand at 2,501 mm.
On the inside, it will offer creature comfort features which will justify the premium hatchback tag. It will be getting a key-less entry system, automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment system which will be compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Just like its elder sibling, the Nexon, Altroz too will be aiming to score a perfect 5 in crash testes. ABS, EBD, dual front airbags and a reversing parking camera are expected to be a part of the standard safety kit, which will be offered from the base variant.
Powertrain options will most likely include 2 BS-6 compliant engine options, a 1.5 litre Revotorq diesel and a 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol motor. Transmission options will include a 5-speed MT, while an AMT option might be launched later in the future. An all-electric Altroz is also being readied, however we don’t think it will make its debut along with the standard Altroz.
Altroz is expected to get an aggressive price tag, just the way Nexon did when it was launched. The Altroz will be competing with the likes of Maruti Baleno, Toyota Glanza, 2020 Hyundai i20, VW Polo and the Honda Jazz. Prices shall ideally start around the INR 5.5 lakh mark. Post the launch of Tata Altroz, the company will launch Harrier 5 and 7 seater with BS6 engine options.
