Tata Hexa MPV, Kite 5 sedan, Nexon compact SUV launch timeline out: Report

Tata Motors' new products Hexa MPV, Kite 5 compact sedan and Nexon compact SUV have been scheduled to launch within the next 12 to 18 month, as per the emerging reports. All the three vehicles that bear the Impact design language of Tata Motors were showcased at the Auto Expo 2016 in February. 

According to a report in ET Auto, all the three new cars have been developed jointly by the Tata Motors design studio in Pune, Tata Motors European Technical Centre in the UK and Italian design firm Trilix Srl. The copiously reworked Aria MPV, which is now called the Hexa, is the first among the three to enter the market in June-July.

Expected to be priced between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 15 lakh, Tata Hexa will be powered by 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 comes mated to either with 6-speed automatic transmission or 6-speed manual transmission.

The compact sedan version of the Tiago hatchback, which is currently called the Kite 5, is the next product to be launched in October-November. The Kite 5 will rival Maruti Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze, Volkswagen Ameo and Ford Figo Aspire in the domestic market. The compact sedan will be offered in both petrol and diesel engines.

The 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine will churn out 83.8bhp of power at 6,000rpm and 114Nm of torque at 3,500rpm, while the all-new 1.05-litre, three-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine will develop 69bhp of power and 140Nm of torque. Both engines will be available with multi-drive modes — Eco and City. 

The launch of the Nexon compact SUV has been scheduled around April-May in 2017. Tata's product to the burgeoning compact SUV space, the Nexon will rival mainly Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Ford EcoSport. Built on the heavily-modified Tata X1 platform of the Indica, Nexon will get a 1.2-litre turbo-charged petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. We also hear Tata is considering AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) for the Nexon.

"Tata Motors has committed to launch two products every year to build a formidable lineup by 2020 that covers all significant segments and categories. The priority has been on filling up the gaps in the volume segment," said Tata Motors vice-president (sales and network) S N Barman to ET Auto.