A heavily camouflaged prototype of the upcoming Tata Nexon compact SUV has been spied in Pune. Based on a heavily reworked version of the Vista platform, the final design of the sub-4 meter compact SUV will be quite honest to the Nexon Concept which graced the show floors at the 2014 Auto Expo.
Unlike the concept, which has a slightly cab-forward stance, or a profile that’s tending towards a mono-box shape, the production version will have a distinct two-box shape. However, the overall stance of the production version will closely mirror that of the concept, including the sloping roofline and even the contours on the bodywork.
Almost all the styling elements from the concept will be implemented on the production version. Expect the Nexon to feature the floating roof from the concept, replete with the blade like C-pillars, along with the rising, V-shaped window line with a thick chrome beading and the smiley front fascia with the “hexagon grille”.
At the rear, the sloping roofline will generate a compact rear window, just like on the concept, while even the tail lamps are expected to be production friendly derivatives of the concept’s. Tata Motors is also expected to offer an array of customization options for the Nexon, including contrasting colour combinations for roof and body along with body kits. The Nexon will ride on 16 inch wheels.
The interior of the new car will be all-new, and will draw inspiration from its much more premium Land Rover cousins. Highlights will include a high-positioned transmission tunnel with a stubby gear lever, and a new generation HARMAN infotainment with a free standing touchscreen interface on the dashboard.
The Nexon will reportedly draw power from a turbocharged version of the 1.2 liter, three-cylinder, all-aluminum Revotron petrol engine from the Zica, with close to 120 bhp on tap. Diesel power could be provided by the 1.3 liter Multijet engine without the VGT, offering 75PS of peak power. There will be an F-Tronic AMT for the diesel on offer, in a more refined state of tune.
The Tata Nexon, due in January 2016, will take the fight to the Ecosport and TUV300. Expect the prices to start from as low as sub-6 lakh levels with the top end variant nudging Rs 9-10 lakh mark.
Spy images: Autocolumn
