Tata Motors expands Nexon AMT range with new XMA variant

Tata Motors, which has notched 52 percent year on year growth in the first quarter of FY2019 with total sales of 39,238 units, is looking to further accelerate sales of its UVs, led by the game-changing Nexon compact SUV.

The carmaker today launched the mid-spec, AMT-equipped Nexon XMA variant at Rs 750,000 and Rs 853,000 – depending on whether you want the petrol engine or the diesel motor under the hood. The company had first introduced the Nexon AMT in May (only available in the top-spec XZA+ trim), priced from Rs 941,000 for the petrol and Rs 10.39 lakh for the diesel.

The six-speed automated manual transmission and the 110hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre turbo-diesel powertrains remain unchanged. As with the top-spec trim, the AMT gearbox features a manual mode and a crawl function.

Tata Motors now offers an optional new white contrast finish for the roof. In terms of equipment, the rest of the kit is the same as the manual XM trim and includes dual frontal airbags, ABS with EBD, wheel covers for the steel wheels, an infotainment system by Harman with USB, Aux and Bluetooth connectivity, four speakers, steering-mounted audio controls, rear parking sensors, follow-me-home headlamps, all four power windows, central locking and power-adjustable outside rear-view mirrors.

Unlike its manual counterpart, the XMA variant also gets 60:40-split folding seats, although it misses out on some kit; like projector headlamps, daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, an automatic climate control system, the Harman-sourced touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto compatibility and the rear wash, wiper and defogger – all of which are available on the top-spec XZA+ variant.

Tata Motors’ move to expand its AMT-equipped Nexon line-up is an effort to better compete with the likes of the  Maruti Vitara Brezza AMT, which comes with multiple automatic trims. At this price point, the Nexon XMA is priced very close to its direct rival, the Vitara Brezza VDi AMT, which costs Rs 854,000.