SCOOP! Tamo Racemo to headline Tata Performance Zone at Auto Expo 2018

Launched in April 2017, the Tata Tigor caught everyone’s eye mainly thanks to appearance. In a market full of compact sedans that are more or less hatchbacks with a boot slapped on, the Tigor came across as a properly stylish offering. Our time spent with it during the first drive highlighted all the strengths of the car impressing us with its practical yet stylish nature. In order to get to know the Tigor better, I have been using it as my daily driver over the past three months and I had a pretty good run with it. I was genuinely sad to see it go. Read on to know what it is like to live with a Tata Tigor petrol.

In its top end XZ trim, which is the one I had, the Tigor boasts a long list of features including a Harman sourced ConnectNext infotainment setup accessed via a touchscreen interface. This was one of the highlights of the features list for me. Keeping me company in Delhi’s unrelenting traffic was the 8-speaker (4 speakers + 4 tweeters) audio setup. It, quite easily, provides one of the best aural experiences at this price point. The responsive touchscreen also doubles up as the display for the reverse parking camera making pulling into tight spots easy.

Tata Tigor petrol long term user review infotainment system — Tigor’s 8-speaker audio setup impresses. Screen doubles up as the display for the reverse parking camera and aircon settings.

Over the course of three months, I clocked a little over 3,300 km in the Tata Tigor. The 1.2 L petrol paired with a 5-speed manual returned, on an average, around 15-16 km/l, which is rather impressive considering the car was rarely driven with a light foot. Out of the total kilometers clocked, I ran the car in Eco mode for 2,147 of those. Compared the default ‘City’ mode, the ‘Eco’ mode led to a 1.5-2 km/l uptick in fuel efficiency. Another reason for choosing the ‘Eco’ mode for the majority of the time was the smoother throttle response, especially when starting off from a standstill and at low speeds. If you’re driving the top-end XZ petrol trim shod with 175/60 R15s, bear in mind that Tata recommends a tyre pressure of 36 psi. You will have to remind the attendant at fuel stops as they tend to select 33 psi by default.

Tata Tigor petrol long term user review boot space

The ride quality of the Tigor left me and other occupants impressed. The suspension did a fabulous job of ironing out bumps, especially at low speeds. Sharp bumps only elicited a soft thud and even at high speeds, the car managed to maintain its composure. The 1.2 L engine might not be particularly exciting, but to be fair, it isn’t meant to be. The average user will be quite happy with the 85 PS on tap and the linear power delivery.
My time with the Tata Tigor petrol was mostly trouble-free. However, there were a few issues I faced albeit minor ones. The infotainment system exhibits lag at times, especially the when operating the steering mounted audio controls, the boot requires a little extra effort to lift up, and the aircon vents made a wheezy sound when running at higher blower speeds. Also, the left side ORVM’s mirror seemed a bit shaky when driving over rough patches.
Tata Tigor petrol long term user review side

Tata Tigor petrol long term user review side

The Tata Tigor comes across as one of the most accomplished compact sedans in the market today. It looks great, scores high in terms of features and does not fall short on practicality. It also acts as a great showcase of how far Tata has come over the years in its quest to capture a greater chunk of the PV sales pie. Irrespective of what turns up in my garage next, I will miss the Tata Tigor.

Tata Tigor Petrol long-term review – Factfile

Model Name	Tata Tigor XZ Petrol
Price (as of January 31, 2017)	INR 6,14,206 (ex-showroom)
Date Acquired	October 31, 2017
Date Returned	January 31, 2017
Engine & Specifications	1.2 L Revotron Petrol with 5-speed MT (85 PS & 114 Nm)
Total Distance Covered	3319.3 km
Avg Fuel Efficiency	15.63 km/l
Faults	None
Service Cost	-NA-

What’s Good?

Despite being in the market for a 10 months or so, and with a fair few of them on the road, the Tata Tigor still manages to turn heads thanks to the stylish exterior. Kudos to Tata’s Pratap Bose led design team
A healthy list of features for a car at in its segment
Frugal petrol engine paired with a smooth shifting 5-speed manual gearbox
The 419 L boot can easily swallow large bags and then some
Impressive ride quality
At around INR 7 lakhs on-road Delhi, the Tigor is significantly cheaper than its rivals.

What’s not so Good?

1062 kg kerb weight on the heavier side. While it helps high-speed stability, it surely has a negative impact on fuel efficiency.
The infotainment system lags occasionally.
Although the 1.2 L Revotron mill is fuel efficient and does well in terms of performance, it still doesn’t feel as refined as its rivals.
Tata’s #SmartMobility pavilion likely to house upcoming EVs, SUVs and a premium hatchback
Tata Motors has been pulling out rabbits out of its hat one after the other and we expect the Pune-based manufacturer to continue doing so in 2018 as well. We also know that the manufacturer has started producing EVs for the state-run agency, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). Further, the carmaker also announced that it would be showcasing its new design language called Impact Design 2.0 at the Auto Expo. Hence, we expect Tata Motors to showcase a slew of cars at Hall No.14 at the upcoming Auto Expo 2018. Let’s take a look at what they could be.
Tata Nexon AMT

With its outlandish styling and powerful diesel engine, the Tata Nexon makes for a good alternative in the sub-4 metre SUV segment. Since its launch, the Nexon has been providing consistent sales numbers for Tata. In fact, it’s only outpaced by the Tiago hatchback in Tata’s portfolio. To make sure it remains popular among car buyers, the Nexon is expected to be equipped with an automated manual transmission (AMT) in the first quarter of the year (inlink our story here). Tata is likely to mate both the petrol and diesel motor to the AMT to give customers an alternative to the Ford EcoSport AT, which is only available with a petrol engine. Expect Tata to showcase the AMT-equipped variants at the Auto Expo. Also Read: Tata Nexon To Get A 6-Speed AMT Before April 2018
Tiago Sport

We’ve been expecting this for some time now. There have been rumours that Tata could equip the Tiago with the 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from the Nexon. Given the hatchback’s compact dimensions, it’s bound to deliver drool-worthy performance. The three-pot motor delivers 110PS of power and 170Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox in the Nexon. We expect Tata to price the Tiago Sport competitively and there could be some development regarding its launch at the big-ticket event. Related: Tigor And Tiago With Nexon Engines - Match Made In Heaven?
Tata Hexa 4x4

It's almost been a year since the Hexa was launched and, unlike its arch-nemesis, the Mahindra XUV500, the Tata SUV still hasn't received an automatic 4x4 variant. Introduction of a 4X4 AT variant to the big Tata will certainly add weight to its contention in the SUV space and make it relevant to wide variety of buyers.
Tata X451

With its newfound zeal, Tata is set to launch a premium hatchback to take on segment leader Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20. The hatchback, codenamed X451, will be based on Tata’s Advanced Modular Platform (AMP) and should sport the Impact 2.0 design language. We expect the homegrown manufacturer to showcase a near-production model on at the show floor. Also Read: New Tata Premium Hatchback In The Works

Tata Q501

Tata’s upcoming flagship SUV has been spotted testing numerous times on our roads. The carmaker is expected to use the Auto Expo 2018 to showcase a near-production version of the SUV codenamed Q501. The Tata Q501 is expected to be based on the Land Rover Freelander 2 platform and will be placed above the Hexa. It could be launched with two seating configurations offering five and seven seats and will go up against the Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson and the upcoming Honda CR-V as well. It is expected to be powered by the Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine that powers the Jeep Compass.
Tata Tigor Electric

Tata Motors has already delivered 250 units of the Tigor Electric to state-run EESL. Hence, we expect the manufacturer to showcase its first mass-market EV at the Auto Expo to give the public and the media an idea of its capabilities and what it holds for the future. The Tigor Electric produces a peak power of 40PS and we expect further details to be unveiled at the Auto Expo. The Tigor Electric is expected to be launched later this year.
Tata Tiago Electric

The Tiago Electric will be the other EV that Tata is expected to showcase as part of its #SmartMobility pavilion. The Tiago Electric was first showcased as a concept at an event in Millbrook village in the UK. The EV showcased at the event packed an 85kW electric motor capable of delivering 200Nm of torque and hit 100kmph from a standstill in 11 seconds. The prototype that was showcased had a range of 100km. But expect Tata to improve it as the top-variant of its prospective rival, the Mahindra e2o Plus, has a range of 140km. Also Read: Tata Power Sets Up Two More Charging Stations In Mumbai
The Auto Expo 2018 is set to begin on February 9th, 2017. Know more about the venue and schedule here.