Some images of the car’s important details with respective captions
New eight spoke alloys for the Bolt. Good year Assurance tyres perfom well. The width of the tyres has been reduced to 175 from the Zest’s 185
Smoked headlamps look more striking than on the Zest. The DRLs on the Zest are not available on the Bolt
New Tata steering with mounted controls. Could have been leather wrapped on the top-spec variant for a softer feel.
The rear is simple, and well-executed. No flashy elements here, no ugly detailing either. Neat and balanced.
Adjustable rear headrest is increasingly becoming a rarity – not on the Bolt though.
The City / Eco and Sport modes are now represented on the instrument console in distinct color, with a warning chime every time you switch modes
Storage compartments inside the cabin is a downside with the Bolt. We hope bottle holders are introduced in the door panels. That’s the only cup holder the car has for the front passengers.
Black stickering with white stripes for a ‘floating roof’ effect. We would liked it to be plain black. Some people may like the graphics though.
Boot space is not the Bolt’s USP. 210 liters is bettered by some competitors.
Automatic A/C is one of the many features on the Bolt. It’s one of the best equipped cars in the class.
Notice the piano black lower lip of the grille. It’s done in chrome on the Zest.
No push button start here. Twist the key the good old way to bring the turbocharged engine to life.
You can now watch videos or play image slideshows on the central screen using the newly added SD-card slot.
USB connection to the system, along with MapMyIndia app makes it a full scale sat-nav device. First for the segment.
Height adjustable driver’s seat
Summing it up
The prices for the Bolt have not been announced yet, and that would be the single most important aspect defining the VFM proposition of this car. However, a quick post-drive survey conducted by Tata about the pricing suggests that the Indian carmaker not only wants to place the big, well-equipped Bolt slam bang in the big volumes Swift / Grand i10 category, it wants to undercut them by a fair margin. If that happens, the Bolt would make an extremely compelling case for itself.
While the long term durability of the Zest / Bolt platform has not been established yet, Tata Motors’ newfound focus on improving their quality and processes is very evident. Both the cars are extremely well rounded, and that’s exactly why the Zest has been posting segment leading numbers after its launch. The Bolt, too, is highly appreciable as a new product and surpasses its peers in many aspects, especially in terms of cabin space, driveability and features. The interior too, unlike a few new hatchbacks, feels very rich and upmarket. As mentioned earlier, the prices have not been announced yet, but if a 4.5 – 6 lakh rupee (both petrol and diesel variants included) hatchback is what you’re looking for, the Bolt is an option that you cannot skip to consider before making the final call.
Tech Specs both petrol & diesel
| Tata Bolt 1.2T Petrol & 1.3 Diesel | ||
| Engine type | Revotron 1.2T petrol engine, 4cylinder, Turbocharged, MPFI with selectable driving modes | 4 Cylinder, Turbocharged, Intercooled Diesel engine |
| Cubic capacity | 1193cc | 1248 cc |
| Made of | Head: Aluminium alloy, Block: Cast Iron | Head: Aluminium alloy, Block: Cast Iron |
| Installation | Transverse, Front wheel drive | Transverse, Front wheel drive |
| Max Power | 90 PS @ 5000 RPM | 75 PS @ 4000 RPM |
| Max Torque | 140 Nm @ 1500-4000 RPM | 190 Nm @ 1750-3000 RPM |
| Bore/Stroke | 75 mm x 67.5 mm | 69.6 mm x 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9(+-0.3):1 | 17.6 (+/-1):1 |
| Valve Gear | SOHC 2 valves/cylinder | DOHC 4 valves/cylinder |
| Engine Management | ECU Controlled | ECU Controlled |
| Chassis and Body | ||
| Construction | Hatchback, 5-door, Monocoque | Hatchback, 5-door, Monocoque |
| Kerb weight | 1095 – 1125 kgs | 1132 – 1160 kgs |
| Wheels | 15 inches | 15 inches |
| Made of | Alloys | Alloys |
| Tyre size / Type | 175/65 R15+ Tubeless, Goodyear Assurance | 175/65 R15+ Tubeless, Goodyear Assurance |
| Exterior Dimensions | ||
| Overall Length | 3825 mm | |
| Max. width | 1695 mm | |
| Overall Height | 1562 mm | |
| Wheel Base | 2470 mm | |
| Track Front | 1450 mm | |
| Track Rear | 1440 mm | |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm (Unladen) | |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 44 litres | |
| Transmission | ||
| Type | TA65*Synchromesh with overdrive, 5 Forward + 1 Reverse | FIAT EVO-II, Synchromesh with overdrive, 5 Forward + 1 Reverse |
| Ratios | ||
| 1st | 3.64 | 3.91 |
| 2nd | 1.95 | 2.24 |
| 3rd | 1.27 | 1.44 |
| 4th | 0.88 | 1.03 |
| 5th | 0.714 | 0.77 |
| Reverse | 3.58 | 3.91 |
True Vista was beaten by its contemporaries. But, it’s a good car and I am saying that as an owner. I have driven Swift and I felt like it was nowhere near Vista in terms of interiors and handling, and since it’s the segment leader I can judge how the other would be like. Sure, the pick up was better but nothing else was. Vista has been tagged as “Sedan class”, which is no understatement. It has nice interiors, and it is at par in terms of space and plastic quality from the Swift and it’s cheaper too. To give Vista another shot is a wise decision, but the things which were badly integrated and put in the car have been copied here. I mean just look at the boot. It appears big at the first look, but when you actually use it you find that a lot of space is already taken by the exposed suspension tops. Its like the company had decided to play a prank on the people. The parcel tray is so poorly made that I had to purchase another one after the original broke and now the new has also broken down. TATA’s designing is limited to Trucks only. When you see a Swift coming on distant highway you see a car and when you see a Vista coming you see an awkwardly high and wierdly shaped truck. Don’t get me started on their service! Sucking would be understating it. They literally suck the blood out your veins.
Definitely it looks to be more of a facelift than a all new car. When a car is given facelift only the front and rear is updated and its side profile and the whole glasshouse remains the same. Same is the case for Bolt. https://carnoise.blogspot.in/2014/12/comparison-tata-bolt-vs-indica-vista-3.html I am surprised why Tata still can’t get over Vista even after been comprehensively beaten down by the competition.
I own a 2010 – Indica Vista Quadrajet. Tata cars are cheapest in the segment in terms of prices, but they really make you pay after you buy them with their incredibly lousy services. Moreover, there are some stupid issues that they come with, which are meant to check you patience. I bet you didn’t notice, the position of air-duct which is supposed to route air to your feet is useless, instead it routes to your shin area, which is stupid honestly. Secondly, with a smallest boot in the segment, it is of no use. This car seems to me as a fancier-face lifted version of Vista.
It seems a worth buying product as of now. Conclusive remarks can be made only after the price is revealed and the car faces the harsh realities of the world for a sustained period of time
So is this Tata worth buying.. ??