Report - Tata Kite to get all-new 1.05L diesel engine and 1.2L petrol

Production could take place at the Sanand plant. 

Following the Zest and the Bolt which launches early next year, Tata's new product onslaught will see a replacement for the long-in-tooth Indica, reports Autocar India. The Tata Kite, or X0, has already started road tests and a market launch is expected to take place in the second half of next year.

The car is based on the Indica's platform, but its design will bear no similarity to it. In fact, sources told the publication that the Kite's design will be better than the Zest/Bolt's, and inspiration in small bits could come from the Nexon compact SUV concept.

The Kite will get fresh interiors with a new center console, AC vents and a smaller diameter steering wheel. A small portion of the new interior can be seen in the spyshots here.

The Kite will be powered by all-new petrol and diesel engines. The diesel engine would be a 1.05-liter three-cylinder unit with power and torque outputs of about 64 bhp and 142 Nm respectively. A new 1.2-liter petrol engine is said to be in the offing too. Both engines would be paired to manual and automated manual transmissions.

Also read: Tata Nano Facelift continues testing

The Kite is likely to be made at Tata's Sanand plant in Gujarat which is heavily underutilized at the moment.

Competitors: Maruti Celerio, Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Beat, Maruti Wagon R
Expected Price: INR 3.5-4.5 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date: H2 2015

[Source - Autocar India]