We broke the news last Saturday, and now Tata Motors has formally announced it – the highly awaited production-spec H5X SUV is named the Tata Harrier.
If you've been following the developments closely, you'll know the H5X was internally known as the ‘Harrier’, sticking to the carmaker's pattern of codenaming its models after birds. This time around, however, Tata Motors has gone a step further and finalised Harrier as the H5X's market name.
Interestingly, Harrier will be the name of the five-seat version of the SUV. A seven-seat version that will come later will get a different name. The Harrier will be launched in January 2019 with a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine.
If you're thinking you've heard the Harrier name before, it's because Toyota retails a mid-size SUV with the same name in global markets. However, the identical name will hardly be an issue in India, since the Toyota Harrier is not sold here.
In the build-up to the Harrier's launch, Tata Motors is working on beefing up its sales network as well. It's also understood that customers will be in for a richer experience as the company is set to give its dealerships a premium makeover, with the possibility of an area specially designed to showcase the Harrier and other future premium models.
The Harrier made its debut as the stunning Concept H5X at the Auto Expo earlier this year. Sketches of the production version suggest the car will stay largely true to the concept's and that the model will retain the high-set LED headlights. Other stylistic elements include a new, more defined interpretation of Tata’s trademark ‘humanity line’ that connects the headlights and grille.
Do you like the Harrier name for the H5X, or were you expecting a different name? Let us know in the comments section below.