There is a new sub compact SUV from Tata Motors in the works. Called the Tata Blackbird internally, the upcoming SUV is being designed by Tata Design Chief Pratap Bose and his team. This 5 seater premium SUV which is directly aimed to take on the Hyundai Creta and Nissan Kicks in India.
Ahead of launch of a car, manufacturers usually benchmark their car against a variety of cars. Most of these are from domestic market, but sometimes a manufacturer can also benchmark car against an international rival. Similar thing is happening with Tata Blackbird. It is being benchmarked against the Cherry Tiggo 5X which is currently on sale in China and other emerging markets.
It may be drawn to mind that Chery and Tata Motor’s owned Jaguar Land Rover are in a 50:50 joint venture in China. It is under this alliance that Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles are produced at the Chery JLR’s assembly plant in Changshu.
Chery Tiggo 5X also rivals the Hyundai ix25, as it is called in China and the Creta in India. The Tiggo 5X is a mid size 5 seater SUV. It measures 4,358mm in length, 1,830mm in width and 1,670mm in height with a 2,630mm long wheelbase. Chery Tiggo 5X gets powered by a 1.5 liter petrol engine offering 115 PS power and 142 Nm torque mated to a 5 speed manual and CVT automatic.
It is expected that it will be a derivative of this engine that will power the Tata Blackbird. The Tata Blackbird could also get a 1.5 liter turbocharged diesel engine that currently powers the Nexon. The company has also confirmed that all future cars will come in hybrid and electric powertrain options.
Tata Blackbird will be positioned on Alfa platform which can be stretched 4.3 meters. The Blackbird will be the first product that will be over the 4 meter mark to be positioned on the Alfa platform. It will boast of a bold exterior similar to that seen on the Tata Nexon while interiors will be high in both technology and comfort.
It will receive a large touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument console along with a host of both driver and passenger comfort features. In terms of safety, the new Blackbird will conform to all new safety regulations. Tata Blackbird will launch sometime in 2021. It will compete with the Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-Cross and Nissan Kicks.