After the success of their Zest sedan, Tata Motors is about to launch a very important product in their portfolio, the Tata Bolt hatchback. According to the manufacturer, the name Bolt signifies speed and represents an attitude of winning and staying ahead. It is embodied in the all-new Bolt in aspects of design, the way it drives and the features it offers. The design of the Bolt puts forth the manufacturer’s new design semantics which is a culmination of their best ideas from their three design studios based in Pune, Coventry and Turin. Tata has designed the Bolt to convey a forward pouncing stance and has included flowing lines to create the illusion of movement even at standstill. The Bolt comes fitted with a spoiler and a blacked out C-pillar that creates the impression of a floating roof.
To be made available in both Petrol and Diesel formats, the Tata Bolt petrol will be the segment’s first hatchback to be powered by a turbocharged, 1.2-litre MPFI engine that will be equipped with selectable driving modes while the Diesel version will be powered by a 1248 cc, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. Tata hasn’t skimped on safety and has equipped the car with ABS, Corner stability control and Airbags. It will also feature a touchscreen multimedia system by Harman that will recognize voice commands, play videos, read out SMS notifications, include touch control for the air-conditioner and smart phone based navigation via mapmyindia. The Bolt will also come fitted with first-in-segment smoked projector headlamps. So let’s take a look at the tech specs and features of a car that Tata hopes will strike the market like a bolt of lightning and set their sales chart on fire.
Tech Specs: Tata Bolt 1.2T Petrol
| 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 |
| Suspension | |
| Front | Independent; Lower wishbone; McPherson Strut with anti-roll bar and coil spring |
| Rear | Semi-independent; Twist beam with coil spring and shock absorber |
| Steering | |
| Type | Electronic Power Assist |
| Turning circle radius | 5.1 m |
| Steering wheel diameter | 360 mm |
| Brakes | |
| Front | Disc Brakes |
| Rear | Drum Brake |
| Parking brakes | Mechanical cable operated |
| Anti-lock with EBD | Yes (With corner stability control) |
| Safety Features | |
| Seat Belt | Front – 3point seat belt, rear outer – 3 point belt and center – lap |
| Airbag | Driver and front Passenger |
| Central Locking | Yes, with remote |
| Speed sensing door lock | Yes |
| Clutch Lock | Yes |
| Inside Rear view mirror with Day / Night feature | Yes |
| Burglar Alarm | Yes |
| Immobilizer | Yes |
| Driver Assistance | |
| Headlamps | Projector Type (“Follow-me”, remote key operated) |
| Fog Lamps | Front & Rear |
| Turn indicators on ORVM | Yes (LED Type) |
| Tail-lamps | Signature type (Bulb) |
| Rear De-fogger | Yes |
| Interiors | |
| Seats | Full fabric, Rugby Shoulder Seats |
| Dashboard | Java Black Shade |
| Interior Illumination | 1 front + 1 boot |
| Theatre Dimming | Yes |
| Door Pockets | All 4 doors |
| Rear Parcel Tray | Yes |
| Boot Space | 210 litres |
| Chrome Finish | Gear knob, AC vents, centre console switches |
| Storage in center console | Cup holder, under storage drawer – passenger side |
| Instrument Panel and Center Fascia Display | |
| Tachometer | Yes |
| Warning & Indicators | Individual door open display, In-gear and shift indicator, low fuel, driver seatbelt reminder |
| Multi-information Display (MID) | Digital Clock, dual tripmeter, outside temperature, instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, Distance-to-empty, drive mode indicator for sport and eco |
| Audio | |
| System | ConnectNext Touchscreen Infotainment by Harman |
| Multi-media touch Controlled | Yes |
| Speakers | 8, Front(2 speakers + 2 Tweeters) Rear (2 Speakers + 2 Tweeters) |
| AUX & USB | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes |
| Steering wheel mounted controls | Yes (Phone + Audio) |
| Voice Recognition | Yes |
| Video play-back | Yes (Via USB & SD card) |
| Smartphone based Navigation | Yes (For Android OS) |
| Other Convenient Features | |
| Auto AC | Yes (With controls on Touch screen Infotainment) |
| Foldable Key | Yes |
| Roof Antenna | Yes |
| Vanity Mirrors | Passenger Side |
| Power Outlet | Yes |
| AC with climate control | Yes |
| Power Windows | Front + Rear + Auto Down (Driver Side) + with delay function |
| Outside Mirrors | Internally Electrically Adjustable |
| Tilt Steering` | Yes |
| Adjustable Headrest | Yes (All 4) |
Looks like the car is a fusion of Indica vista with i20 .. If you observe closely you can see that the interiors and exterior design resemble the elite i20 but TATA doesnt want to let go the Indica legacy ..
TATA.. Its time they revamped their cars with modern world. They have made a loo…ng leap after acquiring JLR groups. Ofcourse, it deserves respect as they have showcased with top of the class and segment. It would be more respectable if airbags (driver and passenger) are mandatory across the variants of BOLT, following the recent Crash Test Failures stats. They have come to challenge their competitor what they are capable of and the arsenals yet to come.
But…. No one cares to change the exterior design. Its more like Indica. What? are the designers in their 3 best design studios at Pune, Coventry, Turin are capable of this far? Haven’t they got imaginations.? or Mr.TATA has ordered them not to change the exterior type?
Come on. First thing that attracts customers is Exterior body type and yet they keep on repeating the mistake. It must impress the buyers. Little food for thought and improvement.
It is laudable how one of the youngest car makers in the world has been able to move away from their UV roots and managed to apply themselves to make products like the Zest and now the Bolt. We hope this application is extended to the after sales aspect too.
What about the services? Are they upgrading in that area too. The service centers has been rated very poor so far.