Spied - Tata Kite compact sedan starts testing, to replace Indigo eCS

Would get power from new petrol and diesel engines.

The Tata Kite-based compact sedan has started testing ahead of a launch that could take place in the fag end of next year, or by early 2016. The Kite compact sedan will succeed the Indigo eCS.

As previously reported, the Kite series of cars (which include a hatchback and this compact sedan for now) are based on the Indica's platform. Tata's engineers are reported to carry out mild improvements to this platform to enhance the NVH levels, and maybe even reduce the weight for better fuel efficiency.

The highlight of the Kite compact sedan would be its value-for-money quotient, as it will be priced and positioned below the Tata Zest, which starts at INR 4.64 lakhs, ex-Showroom, New Delhi. Even if prices were to start around the INR 4 lakh mark, the Kite sedan would be a serious threat to many hatchbacks like the Hyundai Grand i10, Maruti Swift and so on.

Reports suggest that the Kite twins will make use of a new 1.05-liter three-cylinder diesel engine, and a new 1.2-liter petrol engine. Given their segment, manual and automated manual transmissions (AMT) will be on offer.

Also read: Tata Xenon 150NX-Plore 4WD showcased in Thailand

Production of the Kite hatchback is reported to take place at Tata's Sanand plant in Gujarat, and given that this plant is heavily underutilized at the moment, the sedan could be made here as well.

Expected Price: INR 4-6 lakhs, ex-Showroom, New Delhi
Launch date: Late-2015 or early 2016

[Source - CarToq]