Team-BHP - Tata Motors begins work on Altroz-based sedan

Personally I think it's just another way to burn some more money for TML. They should instead focus more on improving the engines for Altroz and get the sedan later.

I love tata motors and their current design language but if they really want to launch a full size sedan to compete with City/Verna/Vento, they would need a better/bigger engine for sure (One option is to get it from Nexon). TML is no Maruti so they can't get away like Ciaz.

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Originally Posted by turbowhistle (Post 4766780)

They should instead focus more on improving the engines for Altroz and get the sedan later.

I think you are confusing between the departments. If Tata begins work on the sedan, it's the design team that's probably getting involved first. Their job on the Altroz is already done and might get back to the table only if there are severe flaws in design, like the ORVMs on the Harrier. They brought out the E-Vision concept for the Geneva show and that car may never see the light of day.

The engineering team should probably be working on refinement of the engines and hopefully the gearbox.

There is a difference between developing an all new car and developing a sedan sibling of a existing car.

With a majority of components, including body panels, engines, interiors, being common, the investment is much smaller in comparison with developing an all new car.

I am sure Tata has factored in the investment required and the additional sales figures it is expecting the sedan to bring.

There is a market for sedans, even if it's decreasing. Have we not seen an Amaze, Dzire, City, Baleno on our roads?

Tata does not want the customer to step out of its showroom, looking for something it doesn't have.

It is looking to cover all segments possible, there is no harm in that.

If Tata can bring out something similar to E-vision there will be takers and they need to price it between ₹ 10-15 lakhs. There isn’t a sedan which is currently in the market which is exciting enough for me to feel like buying. Just look how ordinary is the looks of Verna, City and Ciaz, forget about how they drive. Only one I like is Vento/Rapid, but they are more than a decade old. Bring it on Tata, there is still a market of a all round sedan. No SUV can ever give the driving pleasure of a sedan, period.

Hate to say: whatever the result, it'll be a mis-directed effort. And Tata doesn't have a strong presence in markets outside India to justify the investment.

The sedan segment is declining at a faster rate than any other- Tata would have done better by filling the gap between Harrier and Nexon with a product the rival the Seltos/Creta. They could have used this opportunity to leave Maruti in the dust. :)

Not sure what the response will be after launch. The design do create that wow factor but by the time the finished product is launched, much is left to desire from the engine and transmission.

Remember the Harrier, it was like a perfect product to be launched with almost no change from concept. But when it finally arrived, the finish, transmission, lower tune of same engine, removed it from that desirable list (at least for me) and the sales do show that effect. It is still a big SUV on road but then you think about those missing bits that would have made it a purchase without regret.

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Originally Posted by turbowhistle (Post 4766780)

Personally I think it's just another way to burn some more money for TML. They should instead focus more on improving the engines for Altroz and get the sedan later.

I guess someone from TML read this and immediately sent a test mule - which is rumoured to be testing a more powerful engine!

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...ml#post4767482

A sedan with design cues from both Altroz and e-Vision?

Delicious. Though I should say, they must remove the black window line cladding from the Altroz and give the sedan a cleaner bodyline.

A more Harrier like interior ambience and petrol/diesel/ EV powertrain from day one.

As far as about the segment is concerned, have to wait till new Honda City launch to gauge if the market is still receptive to sedans.

Turbo or not, Tata should definitely overlook the 1.2 petrol and plonk in the new 1.5 in a detuned state for the sedan.
Since small car tax won't be applicable, makes sense to do so. Maybe even a non turbo version of the new 1.5 if they want to cut down costs.

A considerable City/Ciaz/Verna market is still there, but how much of the market % Tata can grab, will depend on the desirability of the car.

Tata Motors confirms new midsize sedan in the works - Link

Will be based on ALFA architecture, will be pitted against Honda City having 4.5M long and 2600mm wheelbase.

To be offered with 1.5L diesel, Nexon's 1.2L turbo petrol, and also the 1.5L turbo that's currently under development.

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Asked if a sedan would be the right fit for Tata Motors that is best known for its SUVs and now hatchbacks, Petkar said, “Who thought of Tata Motors when it came to SUVs like the Nexon? I think we have come a long way in terms of the brand and both in terms of the hatch and in terms of the SUVs we are there. The sedan is just a natural off-shoot of the architecture that you have. We have no doubt about the capability and living up to the brand.”

Styling will be a key differentiator for the new sedan; and like with the Tigor, the company could contemplate a fastback design to make it stand out from conventional three-box shapes that are the segment norm. A crossover body style with chunky wheel arches and tyres could also be considered. Tata could even draw elements from the sleek EVision sedan concept from the 2018 Geneva motor show.

Petkar was cautiously optimistic about the new sedan in a market that has seen a big downturn. “If you look at the sedan segment per se, it’s not growing like the SUV (segments) are growing. But still you know it is a sufficiently bigger pie, as per the total passenger-car segment is concerned. Therefore, I don’t think we can afford to neglect sedans. The question is the timing.”