Rumour: Tata Tiago to get a crossover avatar

With the Tata Tiago roping in satisfactory sales numbers for the Indian automaker, Tata Motors is now reportedly working on a crossover version of the hatchback. Interestingly, Tata Motors had earlier showcased a crossover-iteration of the Zica hatch at the 2016 Auto Expo. And now, Pratap Bose, the Head of Design at Tata Motors, has indicated that the company is working on a design of the Tiago crossover.

Some sketches which were shared with the media display a Tiago crossover, which has been rebadged as the Kite 4. The sketch reveals that the Kite 4 crossover will get a modified front and rear bumper, roof rails, a black plastic cladding on the tailgate, a skid plate at the rear, and cladding running along the entire body. A blacked roof, and vinyl on the hood are also present on the Tata Kite 4's sketch. The alloys too are different than the ones offered with the Tiago.

If launched, the Tiago cross would compete in the hatchback crossover market, which currently has the Hyundai i20 Active and the Toyota Liva Cross. But the Tiago crossover would be placed a lot lower in comparison to these two existing competitors, in terms of pricing. Chevrolet is also planning to launch the Beat ACTIV crossover in 2017, which will likely be in the same price bracket as that of the Tiago/Kite 4 crossover.

Source: OnCars