Tata Zest Compact Sedan Spotted Testing In Bangalore

By Ganesh

Updated: Thursday, April 17, 2014, 11:15 [IST]

We spotted the upcoming Tata Zest compact sedan in test camouflage in Bangalore. A rare occurrence, considering the car is already close to being launched. Our guess is the vehicle, which had a Maharashtra licence plate, was on an extended drive test before hitting the market prior to the festive season.

Tata Motors has already made live a dedicated website for the Zest and advertising campaigns are expected to begin in earnest in the coming months. Meanwhile, Tata has released a Zest themed ringtone that is supposed to mimic the "energetic and enthusiastic" nature of the sedan.

The Zest, along with the Bolt will be critical launches for Tata Motors. The automaker was recently pushed back from its 3rd position in the Indian passenger car segment by Honda. The company, which has been reporting continued losses month after month, needs a big hit and it cannot afford the Zest & the Bolt to fail.

Tata Zest will come powered by an all-new 1.2-litre, turbocharged, Revotron engine that generates 85 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 140 Nm of torque between 1750 rpm and 3000 rpm.

The diesel engine is the existing 1.3-litre Quadrajet unit that will develop 90 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 200 Nm torque between 1750 and 3000 rpm in the Zest.

The compact sedan will debut with driving modes - cruise, eco and sports - in the top end variant, something that will be new in an Indian car. Another thing to look forward to is the automated manual transmission with the diesel engine.

Do you think Tata will bounce back with the launch of the Tata Zest and the Bolt?

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