Tata Motors rolls out production-ready Altroz

Guenter Butschek, CEO and MD, Tata Motors, at the rollout of the first Altroz from the Pune plant, ahead of the launch in January 2020. It is the first product to be launched on the ALFA platform.

Tata Motors is gearing up to open 2020 with a bang. The carmaker is currently building up hype for three new models – the Harrier-based seven-seat Tata Gravitas SUV, the Tata Nexon EV and the Tata Altroz premium hatchback. Having confirmed the name for its upcoming flagship SUV yesterday, today Tata rolled out the first Altroz premium hatchback from its Pune plant ahead of its launch in January.

Tata Motors had originally planned to introduce the Altroz earlier this year, but decided to delay the launch so it could introduce the hatchback with BS VI-compliant engines right from day one.

Sporting Tata’s new Impact 2.0 design language, the Altroz that debuted at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show didn’t stray too far away from the stunning 45X concept. The Altroz is the first Tata car based on the company’s new ALFA (Agile, Light, Flexible and Advanced) platform – one of two platforms that all future Tata Motors products will be based on.

Commenting on the rollout, Mayank Pareek, president, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit (PVBU), Tata Motors said, “The Altroz is our first product that will be launched on the all-new ALFA platform and we believe that it will raise the bar for vehicles across the premium hatchback segment, come 2020. We hope that customers will appreciate the new futuristic design with host of smart features, many of which are one segment above.”

Compared to its exterior design, the Tata Altroz’s interior – at least as previewed in Geneva – isn’t as radical. Built around a prominent and protruding central console, the Altroz’s dashboard features a free-standing 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The steering wheel is new, and the Altroz will also get a segment-first part-digital instrument cluster.

The Altroz is set to be the widest hatchback in its class, but also has the shortest wheelbase, resulting in lesser rear legroom. However, the 341-litre boot is reasonably sized and on par with competition.

The Tata Altroz is expected to get three engine options – the 85hp, 1.2-litre, naturally aspirated, three-cylinder petrol motor from the Tiago; a 102hp, 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol mill shared with the Nexon, and a 90hp version of the Nexon’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. A 5-speed manual gearbox is expected to be the only gearbox on offer at launch, with an automatic option set to be introduced later.

Expect Tata Altroz prices to be in the range of Rs 500,000 to Rs 800,000 lakh (ex-showroom), which will help the model undercut its rivals – the Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Glanza and Honda Jazz.