Tata Kite hatchback design sketch - IAB Rendering

To replace the Indica; will be manufactured in Sanand, Gujarat.

The Tata Kite (internal codename), the next product by Tata Motors which will replace the ageing Indica, has been sketched by IAB's Shoeb R Kalania, based on spyshots that have surfaced in recent months.

At the front, the cars wears the 'smiling grille' as found on other Tatas, but gets a bold bumper, bonnet, and larger headlamps. The side profile features a prominent shoulder line, and at the rear, it has a more conventional set of taillamps, and a chrome-strip running across the boot.

Reports say that the car will be driven by newly developed engines: a 1.05-litre diesel that makes around 64 hp and 142 Nm of torque; and a 1-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit, and maybe a 1.2-liter petrol unit. A 5-speed gearbox will be standard while given the increased demand for an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), Tata Motors can fit one on the Kite, too.

Also read: Tata Zest to launch in Nepal this month

The car was spotted running 14-inch wheels, had rectangular AC vents, and white backlit instrument panel with a large Multi-information display.

The B Segment car will be manufactured in Sanand, Gujarat, where it will be joined by the Kite sedan, the successor to the Indigo eCS. A report says that the Kite hatchback launches around mid-2015.

Competitors: Ford Figo, Hyundai i10, Maruti Celerio
Expected price: INR 3.5-5.5 lakh, ex-showroom
Launch date: By mid-2015 (according to reports)