While Tata Motors is seeing a busy time with back-to-back model introductions of the updated Tigor XZ+, and the performance-oriented Tiago and Tigor JTP. Also planned is the Harrier, which will launch early next year. In addition to this, there's also the 45X hatchback, which has been spied testing a number of times at various locations across India.
We spotted a close-to-production version of Tata’s future i20 fighter recently, and now we've got another set of spy shots from our reader Pranit Panse, who said the car he spotted was the diesel variant that was shod with dummy headlamps and tail-lamps, instead of the final production units that were spied earlier.
The Tata 45X was shown earlier this year in concept form, and the production-spec car’s overall styling will more or less stay true to the concept.
While the test mule in this picture still hides its final design cues, the production-spec car will sport a raked roofline that tapers sharply to the rear, the five-spoke alloy wheels will be chunky enough to fill the large wheel arches well and the wing mirrors will be larger than the ones used on the Tiago and Nexon. The boot will get the same kink that was seen on the concept, while the rear door handle will be mounted near the C-pillar, as seen on the third-gen Maruti Suzuki Swift. The 45X was earlier seen testing on the Kari Motor Speedway too, and according to sources, this was being done to fine-tune the car’s suspension setup.
Expect the car to come with more powerful versions of the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engines that currently make 110hp on the Nexon compact SUV.
Key rivals to the 45X will include the Maruti Baleno, Hyundai i20 and the Honda Jazz