Tata To Introduce 1.9-Litre Diesel Engine With The Hexa And Safari Storme

Hexa, the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) from Tata Motors, is all set to launch in India by the end of this year. The MPV will be a replacement for the Tata Aria, but will still be powered by the same 2.2-litre Varicor 400 diesel engine that is offered with the Safari Storme. Tata, However, Tata will also be introducing a 1.9-litre diesel motor which, as per reports, will be offered with the Hexa and Safari Storme. The new 1.9-litre motor will not replace the current 2.2-litre engine but will be tuned for better fuel efficiency and power. The Hexa, along with this new motor, will be mated with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission while the Storme will get only the manual.

Earlier this year it was reported that Tata is working on a smaller diesel engine to counter the Delhi diesel ban. Other carmakers also reacted swiftly, like Mahindra, which introduced the 1.99-litre diesel motor with the XUV500 and Scorpio to go around the diesel ban. Mahindra is also planning to launch a petrol unit for the XUV500 and Scorpio. Meanwhile, Toyota did not work on its existing 2.4 or 2.8-litre diesel engines but introduced a new 2.7-litre petrol engine for the same purpose. Tata, on the other hand, has no such plans for the time being.

The Hexa, when launched, will rival the Toyota Innova Crysta and Tata will have to price its new offering in such a way that it breaks the stronghold Toyota has in this segment. We expect the Tata Hexa and Safari Storme is expected to launch somewhere around the first half of 2017.