To replace the Indigo eCS when it goes on sale.
Tata Motors is reported to be testing the Kite compact sedan at the Kari Motor Speedway racetrack in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, reveals MotorBeam. The car, like the Kite hatchback, is based on a re-engineered version of the Indica platform.
Powering the vehicle is expected to be a range of newly developed engines that include a 1.05-litre, 3-cylinder diesel, and a 1.2-litre petrol engine. Power and torque figures for the former are reportedly 64 hp and 142 Nm. Gearbox options will include a standard 5-speed manual unit, while an automated manual transmission (AMT) could also be offered.
With numerous appearances made in the past, a couple of details about both the Kite hatchback and the compact sedan have become clear. An earlier report suggests that the vehicle will adopt a Mega Pixel-mimicking front end. Spyshots have revealed rectangular AC vents, 14-inch tyres on the hatchback, and white-backlit instrument cluster with a multi-information display.
Tata Motors is going with a 'one product at a time' strategy, and with the Bolt scheduled to be launched in a day's time, the company will focus on bringing the Kite hatchback next (which could be launched by June 2015, as a previous report mentioned). The sedan will follow the hatchback.
Also read: Tata Nano-based 'Pelican' under development to rival the Alto
Both these cars will be made at Tata's production facility in Sanand, Gujarat, which is currently under-utilized.
[Source - MotorBeam]
