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From Tata Motors to Kia, auto majors show off the future

Last updated on: February 05, 2020 19:07 IST

Among the cars unveiled at the Auto Expo on Wednesday was Mahindra and Mahindra's e-KUV for Rs 8.2 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi. With a single charge range of 150 km and a 55 min fast charging upto 80 pc, it was both a head-turner and a conversation-starter. 

Auto majors vied with each other to unveil futuristic versions of their cars at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida on Wednesday. 

Tata Motors took the lead, announcing four global unveils, a pre-production preview and a commercial launch at the 15th Auto Expo.

That Tata Motors leadership team wit the HBX Compact SUV concept

The Tata Motors leadership team at the country's largest auto show,  the AutoExpo 2020. Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Motors

The HBX Compact SUV Concept Show Car based on ALFA ARC architecture, looks much closer to the production line now.

The TATA HBX Compact SUV Concept car

The HBX Compact SUV Concept at the AutoExpo 2020. Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Motors

The concept SUV very much looks like a purely modern, muscular, adventure driven compact SUV.

The next surprising unveil was the Sierra EV concept.

The legendary Tata Sierra back fro the 90's

The legendary Tata Sierra of the '90s reborn at the AutoExpo 2020. Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Motors

The Tata Sierra may actually come back in the guise of a hopeful Tata Sierra Concept with a lounge inside and a glass roof.

The Tata Sierra Concept

The Tata Sierra may come in anelectric avatar to the Indian roads. Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Motors

With its signature curved glass at the rear merging into the roof, this undoubtedlly makes it one of the key showstoppers at Auto Expo 2020.

 

For the Tata Safari lovers, Tata Motors also unveiled the ‘Hexa Safari Edition’ which is a combination of the iconic Tata Safari and the ultra-capable Tata Hexa. 

Tata Hexa Safari edition

The Tata Hexa  Safari Edition at the AutoExpo 2020 was a new shade of green. Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Motors

Mechanically the same as the the current Tata Hexa, the Safari edition will get a new shade of green along with separate badging in the interiors as well as the exterior, and it will be a 4x4 drive. 

A pre-production version of the Harrier’s 7-seater version -- the Gravitas which is scheduled to be launched in FY 2021 -- was also unveiled on Wednesday.

Tata Gravitas

The Gravitas, the 7-seater  version of the Harrier, is visibly larger. Photograph: Courtesy Tata Motors

The Gravitas will get 2 captain seats in the middle row and a 3 seater third row, which is best suited for children.

With 18-inch wheels and up to the B pillar, the Gravitas looks exactly like the Harrier.

But in the rear, the overhang is much longer to accommodate the third row of seats, making it longer than the Harrier. And the roofline is raised in the Gravitas, plus the windows in the 3rd row are bigger to let in more light.

But what made an actual launch on Day One at the Tata Pavilion in the Auto Expo 2020 was the BSVI version of the Tata Harrier.

The BS6 Tata Harrier

The Tata Harrier BSVI version will come with an AT option along with a sunroof and an electronic driver's seat. Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Motors

It was launched at a One India starting price of Rs 13.69 lakh for the manual and Rs 16.25 Lakh for the much awaited 6 speed automatic version.

The Tata Harrier interiors

The interiors of the New Tata Harrier BSVI version. Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Motors

The Tata Harrier BSVI boasts of a panoramic sunroof, a first for any Tata  SUV, along with a host of new features.

Apart from these PVs, Tata Motors also showcased in their lineup the Tiago, Tigor, Compact SUV Nexon Ev and the ALtroz.

In the commercial vehicles segment Tata Motors unveiled the all-new Winger.

The new Tata Winger

Posing with the all new Tata Winger, from left, Girish Wagh (president, commercial vehicles, Tata Motors Ltd), N Chandrasekaran (chairman, Tata Sons & Tata Motors Ltd), Guenter Butschek (CEO & MD, Tata Motors) and Pratap Bose (vice president, global design, Tata Motors). Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Motors

Tata Motors also unveiled the New Tata Prima 5530.S Facelift -- the flagship truck from its extensive commercial vehicle line-up.

Tata Prima

The massive Tata Prima 5530.S at the AutoExpo 2020. Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Motors

If that was TaMo, the other automobile manufacturers were not to be left behind. 

Mahindra showcases 18 vehicles!

Mahindra and Mahindra also had an impressive showcase of 18 vehicles, including a futuristic concept vehicle and a line-up of electric vehicles, passenger and commercial vehicles at their pavilion.

The Funster from Mahindra

Rajan Wadhera, president, automotive sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, and  Dr Pawan Goenka, managing director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd with the Funster. Photograph: Courtesy Gaurav Bhatt/Mahindra Automotive

Above is the Funster electric convertible concept car that was unveiled on Wednesday.

What set off a frenzy was the e-Kuv. More importantly, the price at which the e-Kuv was launched!

Electric version of the KUV

The E-KUV at the Auto Expo. Photograph: Courtesy, Gaurav Bhatt/Mahindra Automotive

Mahindra and Mahindra launched the e-KUV for Rs 8.2 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi. 

With a single charge range of 150 km and a 55 min fast charging upto 80 pc, it was a head-turner and a conversation-starter.

The Mahindra  e-KUV's launch at the AutoExpo 2020. Video: Courtesy, Mahindra Automotive

It also had one of the widest displays of EVs by an Indian OEM at this year’s Auto Expo.

The Mahindra production-ready electric shared mobility solution -- The Atom -- was unveiled at the AutoExpo 2020. Video: Courtesy, Mahindra Automotive

ATOM is a new age electric urban mobility solution for Smart India’s last mile connectivity needs that was unveiled on Wednesday.

The electric version of the XUV300 was also unveiled by Dr Pawan Goenka.

The e-XUV300 unveiled at the AutoExpo 2020. Video: Courtesy, Mahindra Automotive

Renault rolls out the AMT Triber

French car maker Renault unveiled the AMT (automated manual transmission) version of its sub-compact multi-purpose vehicle Triber at the Auto Expo on Wednesday and said it plans to double sales in India in mid-term. 

The company was also working towards entering the fast growing electric vehicle (EV) space in the country and is likely to launch its first EV in the next two years, Renault India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Venkatram Mamillapalle said.  

renault Triber

Renault unveils the Renault Triber AMT Concept car at the Auto Expo 2020 in Greater Noida on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo.

The AMT version, which is set to be launched in the second quarter of the year, was unveiled by Fabrice Cambolive, senior vice president and chairman of Africa-Middle-East-India-Pacific Region for Renault Group along with Mamillapalle.

"Our mid-term plan is to double our annual volume," Mamillapalle said.

Kia has a Carnival! 

South Korean auto maker Kia Motors on Wednesday launched its premium multi purpose vehicle Carnival, and showcased a new concept for a global SUV Sonet at the Auto Expo.

Carnival is being launched in India in three different specifications at a starting price of Rs 24.95 lakh for its Premium variant (ex-showroom), Rs 28.95 lakh for its Prestige variant (ex-showroom), and Rs 33.95 lakh for its Limousine variant (ex-showroom).

renault Triber

Kia Carnival at the AutoExpo 2020. Photograph: Courtesy, Kia Motors

The Kia Sonet concept will be developed further ahead of a launch in the Indian market in the second half of 2020.

Kia Motors India said it had received more than 1,400 bookings for the new car on the first day of orders and has a total of more than 3,500 bookings received till date.

Hyundai unveils new Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

Managing Director and CEO of Hyundai Motors India Ltd, Seon Seob Kim (2nd from left) poses with other officials during the launch of the Hyundai Tucson car at the Auto Expo 2020 in  Greater Noida, on February 5, 2020. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo.

Hyundai Motor India on Wednesday launched a new version of its premium SUV Tucson as it looks to bolster its presence in the segment.

While unveiling the model at the Auto Expo, Hyundai Motor India Managing Director and CEO SS Kim said the new Tucson comes with enhanced technology, design and performance.

Powered by BS-VI compliant 2 litre petrol and diesel powertrains, the new Tucson comes with enhanced features like all-wheel drive, automatic traction cornering control, power seats and connected features.

The diesel version of the vehicle now comes mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering best in segment power (185 PS) and torque (40.8 KGM).

The petrol engine delivers 152 PS of power.

Additional inputs: PTI.

Rajesh Karkera