Tata Kite sedan spotted up-close - Spied

Targets the lower variants of the Dzire and Amaze.

IAB reader Vishal sent in a couple of spyshots of the Tata Kite compact sedan, understood to be the successor to the Indigo eCS, on test in Ooty, Tamil Nadu.

Based on a renovated Indica platform, an earlier report says that the Kite's front-end design would have citations to the MegaPixel concept. Interior spyshots show the car getting a new dash with rectangular air vents, and white-backlit instrument cluster alongside a multi-information display.

Another report said last month that the Tata Kite hatchback could come with an e-clutch system that permits the driver to engage first gear without applying the clutch. The system which is comparatively cheaper than an AMT, will offer a 10 percent fuel economy gain over a manual. The same tech could be passed on to the sub-4m sedan.

The Kite sedan and hatch reportedly get the showcased but unused 1.05-litre, 3-cylinder diesel, and a 1.2-litre petrol engine. Power and torque for the former are claimed at 64 hp and 142 Nm, while gearbox options will include a 5-speed manual unit by default, and an optional automated manual transmission (AMT) borrowed from the Zest.

Also Read: Tata Nano-based 'Pelican' under development to challenge the Alto

The Kite twins will be made at the Tata Nano plant in Sanand, Gujarat, whose capacity utilization is set to finish below 20 percent for the financial year, as per one newspaper report. We expect the Kite to be in showrooms during the second half of the year.

Competitors: Low-spec variants of Honda Amaze, Ford Figo Aspire and Maruti Swift Dzire, Maruti Dzire Tour
Price range - INR 4.5-6.5 lakhs, ex-showroom
Launch Date: H2 2015 (unconfirmed)