Earlier this year it was reported that Tata Motors is working on developing a Hyundai Creta rival codenamed 'Blackbird' and that it is using the Chery Tiggo 5X as the benchmark for this model's development. Now, a new report from GaadiWaadi.com says that the Tata Blackbird will be nothing but rebadged Chery Tiggo 5X.
Chery is a Chinese brand and it came into existence almost 20 years back. It retails a wide range of vehicles such as SUVs, minivans and CVs in the domestic market. Back in 2012, Chery went into a 50:50 partnership with Jaguar Land Rover to manufacture and sell JLR vehicles in China. Later, its international market penetration plans became clear with its 'Exeed' brand back in 2017 to focus on the European market with an SUV named TX. For India, it is also said that after the Tiggo 5x, the JV will bring a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz rival in a not so distant future, and several other products will follow soon.
The Tata Blackbird was initially planned to based on the JLR-derived Omega-Arc platform, but that didn't prove to be feasible due to technical reasons and the high development costs involved.
The rebadged Chinese-spec Chery Tiggo 5x will compete with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks and Kia Seltos. It measures 4,358 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width and 1,670 mm in height. Its wheelbase spans a length of 2,630 mm. In terms of mechanicals, it employs a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine which produces 85 kW (115 PS) and 141 Nm of torque. This engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT.
Expect the Chery Tiggo 5x to bear the Tata branding inside-out, also some minor tweaks in the form of redesigned front fascia to give it a Tata family look.
Also Read: Tata Altroz teased in a short official video, could be launched in July
The Tata-badged Chery Tiggo 5X will be slotted right between the Tata Nexon and the Tata Harrier, and it is expected to hit the showrooms in 2021. With the downfall in sedan sales globally and rise in SUV's, Tata Motors has decided to go forward with the project Blackbird instead of the X452, the Altroz's sedan version.
[Source - GaadiWaadi]
