Tata to roll out green Winger van

Tata Motors will launch a CNG-powered version of its seven-seater Winger Platinum van in a year’s time. The company launched a turbo-charged diesel version of the more upmarket Winger in Mumbai on December 8. The vehicle was first launched in Delhi last month.

The company has recently launched CNG versions of its existing 9 +1 and 13+1 seater versions with technology developed in-house. The CNG version of the Platinum will have 3bhp more than the existing turbo-charged version. While the BS IV version of the Winger Platinum will cost Rs 7,39,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai), the BS III version will retail at Rs 7,05,000. The company hopes to double sales of the Winger, currently in the region of 600 units per month, said Ravi Pisharody, president, commercial vehicle business unit, Tata Motors.

The Winger Platinum will compete with the Mahindra Xylo and Bolero, GM India’s Tavera and Force Motors’ Cruiser. The Winger Platinum, available in two colours – pearl white and Cycus Grey – comes with a slew of features introduced in response to buyer requirements and Pisharody said the idea behind launching the Platinum was because of the company had received positive feedback from potential buyers keen to use the vehicle for personal use. To tap this particular buyer, Tata Motors will display the Winger at its passenger car showrooms in the major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi.

With the Platinum, Tata Motors hops to leverage the 26 percent CAGR being recorded in the 6-8 seater UV category. The vehicle’s existing variants are in the 9-12 seater category where growth has fallen by four percent. The features introduced in response to buyer feedback include more legroom in the last row, wider captain seats, easy access and a mobile charging point among other features. The vehicle comes with 20 percent more space in the passenger area.

Since its launch over two years ago, the company has sold 17,000 Wingers. Under the hood, the Winger has a 1948cc engine that delivers 90bhp. Meanwhile, the company plans to launch the Magic Iris before the end of the fiscal. The four-wheeler Iris will take on the three-wheeler passenger vehicles. Sources said the trend is towards four-seater vehicles and given the size of the three-wheeler market, Tata Motors sees a lot of potential for the Iris.