Tata Motors has always been upbeat about the Geneva Motor Show and has used the previous editions as the stage for world premieres. If fact the iconic Indica made its first European appearance in the prestigious auto show back in 1998.
This year, the Indian automaker will attend the show next month with as many as four world premieres. The Tata 45X in near-production trim will be one of them. This will be different than the 45X concept which was showcased by Tata at the 2018 Auto Expo. It will be closer to production-ready variant.
The 45X hatchback debuted at the 2018 Auto Expo in the form of a design study. The stylish concept previewed a Maruti Baleno and Hyundai i20 rivaling premium hatchback. While its powertrain lineup will be led by conventional IC engines, Tata Motors will also have the all-electric version ready to demonstrate its commitment towards electrification of mobility in India.
The near-production ready variant, which will be showcased next month, will be powered by an electric motor. Details are scarce as of now but we expect it to have an electric powertrain comparable to that of the E-Vision sedan concept that debuted at last year’s GIMS.
For reference, the EVision’s electric motor is claimed to propel the sedan from 0-100 kmph in less than 7 seconds before achieving a top-speed of 200 kmph. The battery, range, and charging time details have not been revealed though.
Although the 45X electric sits on the Alfa modular platform, compared to the EVision concept which employs JLR-derived Omega architecture, the design cues will be similar inside out. The IMPACT 2.0 design philosophy with low-slung stance and clean surfaces received largely positive reviews at the Auto Expo. The EV variant is expected to carry more flair than the IC-engined counterparts to distinguish itself.
If the EVision’s futuristic interiors are anything to go by, the 45X EV is likely to feature hanging cockpit which eases up significant front row space. We could also see the electric premium hatchback offering bench seats at the front. We will know more in a few weeks’ time.
Launch of Tata 45X, with petrol and diesel engine option is scheduled for later this year, around July-Aug 2019 period. It will be priced in the Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 8.5 lakhs range. Camouflaged test mules in production ready guise have already been spotted on test in India, as seen in the gallery below.
