Tata Indigo Manza Quadrajet 1.3

The Manza is clearly a car that appeals more to the head than the heart

Published on Dec 08, 2009 08:00:00 AM

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Make : Tata

Model : Indigo Manza

One look at the Manza and it’s easy to figure that this car has been designed from the inside out. The huge cabin and boot identify this as a design where form follows function, and that’s not surprising; this is a Tata car after all. The Vista is cavernous enough on the inside, but Tata has taken its tag of even more car per car to the next level by stretching the Manza as much as possible. The wheelbase at 2520mm is 50mm longer than the Vista’s and the overall length a full 260mm longer than the previous Indigo to accommodate the increased passenger and luggage area.

This, of course, presented a serious challenge to the styling team which had to work with these dimensions to make the car look attractive. The fact that the Manza is essentially the Vista right up to the rear doors (to save costs) also limits what designers can do. However, Tata designers have managed to integrate the boot quite seamlessly with the roof. There is a prominent crease along the side, just like in the Vista, that provides some much-needed definition. The chrome garnishing on the door handles works well too. But this is still not a car you would buy on the strength of its looks. The bigger, protruding front bumper and massive boot have created huge overhangs and have sent the proportions for a toss. Even on larger 15-inch wheels, the bulky Manza looks under-tyred.
The tail-lights, which sweep back almost halfway along the boot lid, attempt to break the block-like appearance of the rear but unsuccessfully so.

There are some nice details though. The front grille is differentiated from the Vista’s with smart chrome slats and the lights too have been upgraded with triple-barrel lamps.