Hope's around the corner - Tata Motors working on a new small hatchback, codenamed X0

The passenger car division at Tata Motors are in immediate need of new products to get going. Their recent launches have not brought the best possible results, while old workhorses such as the Indica and Indigo have reduced chances in a market flooded, and continuing to be flooded with fresh and improved products from European, American and Japanese automakers.

Tata officials have been asking us to wait and watch as they are indeed coming up with many new products in the next three years.

Economic Times reports that Tata Motors is working on a new compact hatchback based on an improved version of the first generation Indica platform codenamed X0. The car which which is expected to have fresh styling to lure younger buyers could be sandwiched between the Indica and the Vista or could come in as a replacement for the Indica.

According to one of Economic Times' sources, the car will have almost 75% change in the sheet metal design compared to the Indica (first gen) while the platform enables competitive pricing. The product is expected to be one of the important launches for Tata Motors when it comes out in 2015.

The new small premium hatchback from Tata is expected to be positioned in such a way to take on the next gen Hyundai i10 that will premiere in Frankfurt this September. Coming to the powertrain options, there could be new motors - a turbocharged 1.2 litre petrol engine and a 1.05 litre common rail diesel engine (presented at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo).

At the launch of the Vista D90 Xtreme last week, we spoke to the Indica brand head, Mr. Amit Sagar, who specifically stated that they will continue using the first generation Indica platform as they have invested heavily on it over the years and that "platform doesn't grow old, design does."

Tata Motors should use this opportunity to introduce a fresh exterior styling philosophy and a well knitted interior at par with standards set internationally by cars in the same class.

[Source: Economictimes.Indiatimes.com]