Tata Zest XM, XMS diesel variants detuned to 74bhp

Tata Motors detuned some of the diesel variants of the Zest compact sedan from 89 bhp to 74bhp. The detuned variants are XM and XMS, which stand in the middle of six trims offered with the Zest. When Tata Motors launched the Zest in 2014, the only model available with the 74bhp state of tune was the entry-level XE variant, while the rest of the diesel variants were tuned to develop 89bhp.

The detuning will essentially aid in attaining better fuel efficiency. The detuned XM and XMS models are expected to return 22.95 kmpl in line with the XE variant, while the 89bhp models (XMA, XT, XTA) come with a claimed fuel efficiency 20.65 kmpl for manual transmission and 21.58 kmpl for the AMT version. Better fuel efficiency is expected to increase the sales of the Zest, which has dwindled after the initial launch excitement.

Both 74bhp and 89bhp-states-of-tune models are powered by a 1248cc four cylinder Quadrajet diesel engine. The 74bhp version develops 190Nm of torque mated to five-speed manual transmission, while the 89bhp version develops 200Nm of torque mated to either five-speed manual or five-speed AMT transmission. The diesel variants are priced in the range of Rs 6.08 lakh to Rs 8.51 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.

The petrol model of the Zest gets power from a turbocharged 1.2-litre Revotron engine, which is tuned to produce 89bhp and 140 Nm of torque mated to five-speed manual transmission. The petrol model is sold in XE, XM, XMS and XT variants with a claimed fuel efficiency of 17.57kmpl. The prices for the petrol variants range from Rs 5.06 lakh to Rs 6.52 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.

[1 lakh = 100,000 | 1 crore = 10 million | 100 crore = 1 billion]