Tata Tigor 'Styleback' Announced, Launch Soon

Update March 29, 2017: Tata Tigor Launched At Rs 4.70 Lakh

Tata has had a busy year so far: it launched the Hexa premium-lifestyle crossover mid-January and launched the TAMO sub-brand earlier in February. Now, the company has officially christened the Kite 5 concept as the Tata Tigor.

The Tata Tigor was first showcased as the Kite 5 concept at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo. Based on the same platform as the popular Tiago hatchback, the Tigor will compete in the sub 4-metre compact-sedan category, however, it will be far from a conventional sedan.

One of the Tigor's highlights will be its exterior design - especially the way the boot has been integrated. Tata calls the Tigor a 'styleback' - essentially a notchback - which perfectly blends the need for a sizeable boot without having to make it a proper three-box sedan. 

For now, Tata has released a sketch of the Tigor highlighting its notchback design. We have a fairly good idea of how it will look thanks to the Kite 5 concept and the many spy shots of test and production-ready units over the past year or so.

Inside, the Tata Tigor will closely resemble the Tiago; which means it will feature good quality materials mated to a good design. Highlights will include the hexagonal centre console with the integrated Harman-designed colour infotainment display. Spy shots have also revealed that the Tigor could feature a fully-automatic climate control system and centre-armrest with cup holders for the rear seat passengers.

While the Tiago hatchback has a boot space of 240-litres, the Tigor will be significantly larger. An increase in overall length, more than the Tiago's 3.75 metres but less than the all-important 4-metre mark, and the notchback design should result in a significantly larger boot.

The Tata Tigor is expected to use the same drivetrain as the Tiago. The petrol variants will be powered by a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, petrol motor developing 84.96PS of maximum power and 114Nm of peak torque paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. The diesel variants will be powered by a 1.05-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged engine developing 69.96PS of maximum power and 140Nm of peak torque paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. The Tigor is also expected to get multi-drive modes - Eco and City - which change the engine response for better efficiency or power, respectively. In addition, keeping in mind India’s recent affinity towards AMTs, Tata could even offer the Tigor with an AMT gearbox in the future. 

The Tata Tigor, if priced as aggressively as the Tiago, will be a unique car in its price range. It is expected to undercut existing compact-sedans from Maruti, Hyundai and Ford by a big margin. Its only direct competition may come in the form of the Chevrolet Essentia, which is expected to be launched in 2017 itself.

Tata will regularly release more information about the new Tigor in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.