After a long series of leaks and guessing games of renders, Tata Motors finally took the wraps off its Altroz premium hatchback at the Geneva Motor Show. This new product from Tata is the final version of the 45X Concept that the brand presented at 2018 India Auto Expo. Altroz has its task cut out as the new hatchback will lock horns with established models such as Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20. As far as the launch is concerned that is supposed to happen sometime later this year. Without further delay, let us have a look at what Tata’s new Altroz has in store for the customers.
As per the trend witnessed lately in Tata’s new vehicles, Altroz too seems like a car from the future. Based on the IMPACT 2.0 design this new entrant in the premium hatchback segment has long headlamps that flank the sleek grille on both the sides. A sophisticated chrome line runs across the bottom of the grille where as the top of the same has an understated black stripe that adds a subtle character to the front of the vehicle. Apart from the DRLs in the fog lamps, Altroz also sports machined alloy wheels that drive up its premium quotient.
What the front of the car promises, the sides deliver, and the absence of chrome and presence of black stripes on the window line not only provide an aggressive look but lends this hatch a subtle premium feel. The presence of creases on the side only help in distinguishing the vehicle from the competition.
It is at the rear of Altroz that Tata’s new design language is visible in full glory. The aggressive LED lamps here and the black stripe though look unique, but might lead to division of opinions on the looks. The roof spoiler and the angle at which the rear glass is fitted will only add to the division, however they do give this new car a pretty sharp look. It is common for cars presented at motor shows to come with minor changes in production form, and in similar vein, the black roof and mirrors present in the Geneva Motor Show model might not make it to the production line.
Altroz’s interiors are properly equipped and at the center of it sits an infotainment system in a floating style. As per the company, this unit will support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Apart from the usual control, the dashboard carries a pretty clutter free look. As per the norms of the segment, the steering has buttons with the usual array of controls. The instrument cluster in Altroz premium hatchback is a digital-analog unit, and zooming in on it reveals a start-stop button as well.
The engine details of Altroz have not been disclosed by Tata, but it may carry the same petrol unit that is being offered with Tiago. On the other hand, diesel mill could be the same one that one finds on Nexon. Looking at the rivals in the segment Tata will probably offer manual as well as automatic gearboxes on Altroz.
While there is no official launch date for Altroz yet, the timeline indicates it is may be launched around the festive season of 2019. The quintessential Tata tactic of tackling the competition by undercutting them will be applicable with Altroz as well, and Maruti Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20 could face the heat from the upcoming value-for-money Altroz premium hatch.