Tata Tiago, Tigor get more oomph in JTP guise

The Tata Tiago hatchback and Tigor sedan just got more oomph in the form of the just-launched JTP variants. Born out of Tata Motors’ joint venture with Jayem Automotives (known as JT Special Vehicles or JTSV), which focuses on design and development of performance cars, the hotted-up Tiago JTP and Tigor JTP have been modified on three key parameters – enhancing engine output and performance, adopting a sportier design theme inside and out and making the cars handle and sound better.

While the Tiago JTP has been priced at Rs 639,000, the Tigor JTP retails for Rs 749,000. At this price, both cars sport a premium of Rs 100,000-120,000 over their standard, top-spec siblings (all prices, ex-showroom and introductory).

Same but different
The Tiago JTP and Tigor JTP remain identical to their non-JTP siblings in terms of dimensions, but run a lowered ride height. Ground clearance for both cars is rated at 166mm, 4mm lower than the standard Tiago and Tigor. Both run a tweaked suspension and steering setup, which Tata Motors promises – along with the lowered ride height and wider tyres – will make the performance cars handle much better than their standard versions.

The 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine in the Tiago JTP and Tigor JTP develops more power than the Nexon’s unit – if only marginally, at 114hp – and produces 150Nm of torque. It comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, and Tata claims the Tiago JTP is capable of doing the 0-100kph sprint in just 9.95sec, while the Tigor JTP takes 10.38sec to reach that mark. That time makes the Tiago JTP over 5sec quicker to 100kph than the non-JTP model Autocar India has tested in the past. Both cars also get multi-drive modes – Sport for performance and City for efficiency.

On the outside, both feature a redesigned front bumper with an enlarged grille, chrome-ringed projector headlights (as seen on the Tigor facelift) and 15-inch diamond-cut alloys mounted on 185-section tyres. Side skirts and a rear spoiler are part of the package, as is a contrast roof, contrast ORVMs and JTP badges on the grille, fender vents and at the back.

The interiors are all-black, with red surrounds for the AC vents, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel features contrast stitching. The seats feature a red hexagonal motif stitched into them, and there’s double contrast stitching on the seats as well on as the gearshift gaiter. Even the pedals are sporty aluminium examples. Additionally, both cars get a Harman 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and voice command recognition. Also standard are dual airbags and ABS with corner stability control.

Initially, Tata Motors won't be selling the JTP models through all its dealerships. For now, it has handpicked 30 dealerships in 11 cities that will market the performance-oriented cars. That said, Tata Motors wants to make the Tiago JTP and Tigor JTP accessible to prospective customers across India and could add more dealerships to handle JTP cars in the future. Notably, both the Tiago JTP and the Tigor JTP follow the same service cycle as the standard models and can be serviced at any Tata passenger vehicle service centre throughout the country.

More thrills per kilometre
At the launch of the JTP range in Coimbatore, Mayank Pareek, president, Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors, said, “Motoring today has become monotonous and regimented. We are committed to offering our customers an elated drive experience in an everyday commute. The JTP range of cars has been designed and engineered with precision to keep the excitement and passion of motoring alive and reverse the commoditisation of car purchase. Customers can enjoy their city drive and experience the thrill of driving with these cars. The JTP products will also have a halo effect on  the Tiago and Tigor brands.”

According to Gubbi Nagbhushan, CEO, JTSV: “We at JTSV are excited to launch the first two cars of the JTP range of vehicles. The Tiago and Tigor are extremely capable products, which have further been boosted with Jayem’s technical know-how of developing performance cars, have been engineered to provide customers with the thrill of driving.”

Also see: Tata Tiago JTP, Tigor JTP dealer list revealed

2018 Tata Tiago JTP review, test drive​