Tata Altroz Spied During High Altitude Testing

• The Altroz test mule was spied on the Kullu-Manali highway.
• Likely to have been undergoing high altitude testing.
• Will get three engine options - two petrols and one diesel.
• The Tata Altroz is expected to be launched in June 2019.
• Likely to be priced between Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 8.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

Tata’s upcoming premium hatchback, the Altroz, has been spied testing once again. A convoy of three Altroz hatchbacks was spied being benchmarked against one of its primary rivals, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS. The convoy was spotted testing on the Kullu-Manali highway, which could mean that the cars were being tested for high altitude conditions. Other Tata cars that have been spied undergoing high altitude testing include the flagship Harrier SUV.

The Tata Altroz will be offered with three engine options, including two petrols and one diesel motor. The production-spec car that was seen at the Geneva Motor Show featured a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol motor that churns out 102PS of power and 140Nm of peak torque. In comparison, the Baleno RS employs a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol motor that also punches out 102PS and a slightly higher torque output of 150Nm. The other two engine options are likely to be the Tiago’s 1.2-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol motor which churns out 85PS and 114Nm, and the Nexon’s 1.5-litre diesel, albeit in a detuned state. What remains to be seen here though is whether the engines on the Altroz will be BS6 compliant when the car hits the road. Incidentally, as of now, the Baleno’s K-Series and DualJet variants are the only BS6 compliant cars in the premium hatchback segment.

Expect the Tata Altroz to be feature loaded like its competitors. A touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, climate control, steering mounted control, cruise control and more goodies are expected to be part of the kitty. We also expect the Altroz to boast plenty of standard safety features like dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, front occupants seatbelt reminder, and high speed alert.

The Altroz is expected to be launched in June this year with prices ranging between Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 8.5 lakh (ex-showroom). When launched, the premium hatchback will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20 and the Honda Jazz.

Source