The Tata Zica's launch is just a few days away. However, the carmaker has already revealed its next affordable car, codenamed Kite 5, which is a sub-four-metre sedan based on the Zica.
The Kite 5 shares its mechanicals and styling with the hatchback, with the additional boot being the only differentiator. Which means that it derives power from the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and the 1.05-litre, three-cylinder diesel mills offered on the hatchback. Both engines come mated to a five-speed manual transmission, and will be later available with an AMT gearbox.
Equipment levels are also on par with the hatchback, meaning the it gets ABS, dual front airbags, corner stability control, alloy wheels, fog lamps, a Harman-sourced audio system with USB, aux and Bluetooth connectivity. However, the USP of the Kite 5 will be its 420-litre boot, which is the largest in its class.
Tata will slot the Kite 5 below its Zest and is likely to remain unrivalled at the time of launch. However, Chevrolet’s recently unveiled Beat-based compact sedan concept will compete with the Kite 5, when it launches later in 2017.
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