Unveiled at the 2014 Auto Expo in concept form, Tata has brought its road-ready Nexon compact SUV to this year’s Auto Expo.
Based on the same platform as the Tata Bolt and Zest, the Nexon follows Tata's 'Impact' design language and is aggressively styled with a sloping roof, like on the Range Rover Evoque. This is more a crossover than an SUV. The car features a spacious interior, thanks to its long wheelbase and wide cabin, and the design makes it look compact and sporty.
On the outside, the small SUV features styling elements like a chrome 'Humanity Line' on the upper part of the front grille, projector headlamps with daytime running lamps, LED tail-lamps with chrome accents and 16-inch alloy wheels.
On the inside, the Nexon is equipped with a 6.5-inch ConnectNext touchscreen infotainment system with eight speakers designed by Harman. Features such as voice control and command recognition are also offered.
The Nexon gets two engine options, a new 108.5bhp, 1.5-litre diesel mill, and a more powerful, turbocharged version of the 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine that made its debut in the Zica. Both engines will be mated to a new six-speed manual gearbox.
The compact SUV will lock horns with the likes of the Ford EcoSport, the Mahindra TUV300 and the upcoming Maruti Vitara Brezza when it goes on sale later in 2016.
Besides the Nexon, Tata also unveiled its Hexa crossover, its soon-to-be-launched Zica hatchback, a Zica-based compact sedan, and India’s first indigenous hot-hatch named Bolt Sport at the Expo.