Team-BHP sketches Tata Motors's XO/Dolphin hatchback

Tata Motors is working on a hatchback that will sit between the Nano and the Indica in terms of price and positioning. The new hatchback project, dubbed the X0 or Dolphin, has been sketched by Team-BHP's rendering artist AntlerRoad, who has also been in touch with sources close to this project.

Note: The sketch is speculative in nature and has been reconstructed from actual design sketches of the car under development.

Here are a few details emerging from AntlerRoad's interactions,

• The X0/Dolphin hatchback will be based on the Vista platform.
• The X0 will be a part of Tata Motors's HORIZONEXT strategy that involves turning around the passenger car business.
• The car's looks will be inspired by Tata Motors's new design philosophy for its passenger car line.
• The car will use the improvements that Tata Motors is currently incorporating on the Vista facelift, which is due for 2014. 
• The X0 hatchback will come with a tall boy design and will be aimed at city car buyers. 
• Competition for the X0 is expected to come from the Maruti Alto 800, the Hyundai Eon and the upcoming Datsun Go hatchbacks.
• Production of the X0 is expected to happen in Tata Motors's Sanand factory at Gujarat. 
• The Nano's slow sales have meant that the production of the X0 at Sanand will help Tata Motors utilize the factory better. 
• Engine options for the X0 could include petrol and diesel motors. 
• A 3 cylinder petrol engine is likely for the X0. Details about the turbo diesel motor remain unknown for now. 
• The launch timeframe for the X0 remains unavailable at this moment. 
• Tata Motors could base the X0 on the Advanced Modular Platform (AMP).

Click here to read more about Tata Motors's Advanced Modular Platform. 

Tata Motors is in urgent need of new products as the car maker is faced with a line up that looks and feels dated compared to what the competition has to offer. 2015 is the year from which Tata Motors will begin rolling out all-new products such as the X0. Until then, the car maker plans to focus on refreshing the existing line up and tightening quality and production processes.