Tata Hexa to be launched soon; drive modes in the flagship SUV explained

The Hexa will draw power from a 2.2-litre four-cylinder VARICOR diesel engine

Tata Motors is inching closer to the launch of its flagship SUV, the Hexa. Market launch of the Hexa is expected in the beginning of November. The company showcased Hexa at the Auto Expo 2016 in February and confirmed it will feature drive modes. Now, Tata Motors has detailed the drive modes in the Hexa before launch.

The drive modes in the Hexa will alter the engine performance, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), instrument cluster displays and the vehicles ambient lighting that can be activated via a rotary knob placed n the centre console. This system allows switching between the four modes – Auto, Comfort, Dynamic and Rough Road.

Auto Mode – In this mode, Hexa's performance is optimised to adapt itself automatically to all surface conditions. The vehicle control systems will adapt based on the road conditions. Tata claims the Auto mode focuses on stability and traction and also well-balanced in terms of power and safety.

Comfort Mode – As the name suggest, this mode has been calibrated for stress-free ride. In this mode, the engine will deliver precise power, allowing constant cruising speeds on the highway. This mode will also ensure ride comfort, for long journeys.

Dynamic Mode – In this mode Hexa will achieve maximum power and acceleration. Dynamic mode is designed to perform during extreme handling manoeuvres, on curvy roads, or while drifting. In this mode the Hexa's ESP kicks in later, or at just about the right time.

Rough Road Mode – This mode is to explore challenging off-road driving conditions. Braking performance is tuned to support rough road surfaces causing wheel lock ups in a controlled manner. This mode optimises ride stability and also allows putting the vehicle's full off-road prowess according to the company.

The Hexa will draw power from a 2.2-litre four-cylinder VARICOR diesel engine, which is tuned to generate 154bhp of power at 4,000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 1,700 to 2,700rpm. The engine will be coupled with a choice of either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

The price of Hexa is expected to start at Rs 12.5 lakh and it will go up against Toyota Innova Crysta, Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner in India.