Tata Motor's new flagship SUV, based on Land Rover Discovery Sport platform, coming in 2018: Report

Ever since Tata Motors bought British brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Company in 2008, rumours regarding a new Tata SUV using know-how of the Land Rover were rife. Latest reports indicate the purported SUV is being readied and its launch can be expected in 2018.

Autocar India reports the all-new SUV will be the flagship model of Tata Motors, and will be positioned above the Safari and the upcoming Hexa. This makes it clear the new SUV will be the most expensive model in Tata's stable.

The new SUV is being internally called the Q501. It is built on the Land Rover Discovery Sport's L550 platform. The Land Rover Discovery Sport's body shell features high-strength steel and light-weight aluminium, resulting in weight reduction. The new SUV is expected with the same body shell. Land Rover will also help with the architecture, performance, technologies and body.

The new SUV will be powered by an all-new 2.0-litre diesel mill that develops 170bhp mated to six-speed manual as well as automatic transmission. Previous reports indicated the company was looking to position the new SUV between Mahindra XUV 500 and Toyota Fortuner. That makes it clear the new Tata SUV likely to be priced in the range of Rs 17 lakh to Rs 24 lakh.