IAB reader spies Tata Buzzard on test ahead of H2 2019 launch

As Tata Motors continues testing the Buzzard (7-seater Harrier) on public roads, a prototype has been spied yet again, courtesy IAB reader Vivek. The model will be renamed at the time of domestic model, the company had confirmed while introducing it in the Geneva Edition at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Rumour has it that the plan is to name it Cassini.

The Tata Buzzard is nothing but an extended, 7-seat Tata Harrier. This means that in terms of overall design it is similar to the Harrier till the C-pillar, from where the similarities start getting thin because of a bigger quarter glass and a more upright tailgate. Instead of stretching the wheelbase (2,741 mm), Tata Motors has extended the rear overhang to accommodate the extra two seats. The company has used a stepped roof to ensure that the third-row passengers get enough headroom. At the rear, tail lamps carry a different design the Tata Harrier roots are quite obvious.

The Tata Buzzard measures 4,661 mm (+63 mm) in length, 1,894 mm in width and 1,786 mm (+80 mm) in height. While the Tata Harrier has 17-inch alloy wheels, the Tata Buzzard comes with bigger, 18-inch alloy wheels. It sports a peppier version of the 2.0-litre Kryotec turbo-diesel engine seen on the Harrier. It has been christened 'Kryotec170'. Essentially a MultiJet II engine made by FCA, it is reported to deliver 170 PS of maximum power and 350 Nm of peak torque. It will be BS-VI compliant when launched. Transmission choices will include 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic. The latter will be sourced from Hyundai.

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Tata Motors will discontinue the Hexa, which is its current flagship model, after the launch of the Buzzard in India. It will be priced from around INR 15 lakh (ex-showroom) and will be launched by the end-2019.