What to expect from Tata Altroz hatchback - India launch January 2020
Tata Altroz is the Indian manufacturer's stint at the B+ hatchback segment and the India launch has been scheduled for January 2020. The B+ segment hatchback will rival the likes of Honda Jazz, recently updated Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Glanza, Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the soon expected 2020 Hyundai Elite i20.
The Altroz will be stepping in the market space that already has contenders which have taken the larger piece of the sales pie and established themselves firmly in the market. Keeping that in mind the upcoming hatchback is expected to have some tricks under it selves and here are a few things we expect to see in the Altroz's brochure.
1. BSVI compliant drivetrain
Given the Altroz is debuting in the market close to the deadline to transit from BSIV to BSVI, Tata will launch the hatchback with drivetrains compliant with the upcoming stringent emission norms. This then negates the possibility of a price hike later in the future to make the hatchback comply with these norms. This then brings us to our next point...
2. Pricing
The Altroz will effectively be positioned above the Tata Tigor which has a base price of Rs 5.54 lakh ex-showroom Mumbai and will be undercutting the Tata Nexon which starts at Rs 6.63 lakh. It will be safe to assume an opening price of Rs 5.8-6.2 lakh ex-showroom for the new hatchback. However, the higher trims and optional automatic variants will be dearer to its customers and could see a range-topping price of Rs 8.5-9 lakh ex-showroom. 'Automatic', this brings us to our next point…
3. Optional Automatic
The drivetrains will mostly be shared by either of its sibling - The Tata Tigor or the Tata Nexon. Given the Tigor has an optional automatic (AMT) gearbox mated to the petrol drivetrain. It might be carried forward as an option in the Altroz. However, if the drivetrain options are similar to the Nexon's. The probability of the Altroz getting automatic gearboxes' in both petrol and diesel are higher as the Nexon benefits from an Automatic (AMT) gearbox in both variants.
4. Premium feature list
The interior shots of the Tata Altroz showcase a similar dashboard layout to the Nexon which gets a 7-inch infotainment system along with 8-speaker Harman media system. Expect the same on the Altroz along with the Tata's connected technology (ConnectNext App suite).
5. Possible Tata Altoz EV and Tata Altroz JTP
Earlier this year, OVERDRIVE reported that Tata will launch four EVs by 2020. One of the four is already out and will have our attention soon - The Tata Nexon EV. However, the second EV is expected to be the Tata Altroz equipped with the similar Ziptron drivetrain.
Tata along with the Jayem Automotives enriched the Tiago and Tigor with a sprightly turbocharged petrol engine and reworked the suspension setup to compliment the additional power. The Altroz could be treated the similar way given the hatchback is based on an all-new ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) modular platform which could give engineers a base to develop a hot hatch to rival the Baleno RS and the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI.
Tata has recently rolled out the first Altroz from its Pune plant hinting at quick deliveries once the hatchback is launched in the country. By the time the launch date closes in the dealerships across the nation could have the Altroz on showcase and available for test drives should the potential buyer's wish. Stay tuned to OVERDRIVE for further developments.
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Also see: Tata Altroz | First Drive