Tata Altroz Might Not Be Offered With A Diesel Variant — Here’s Why

Tata Motors has showcased their latest premium hatchback, the Altroz at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show. The Tata Altroz is the first premium hatchback from the Indian brand and is based on their latest 'Impact 2.0' design language.

Earlier reports mentioned that the Tata Altroz is expected to carry forward the same engine units as seen on the Nexon. This included both petrol and diesel formats. However, according to recent reports by Zigwheels, Tata Motors might not introduce the diesel engine on the Altroz hatchback in the Indian market.

Tata Altroz Diesel Unit Unlikely In India

This means that the new Tata Altroz premium hatchback will be offered only with the 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine option, from the Nexon. According to the spec sheet of the Geneva edition Altroz, the engine on the new hatchback churns out 102bhp and 140Nm of torque. The engine is further mated to a standard five-speed manual gearbox, without the option for an automatic transmission.

One of the main reasons for not introducing the diesel engine is the upcoming BS-VI emission norms. According to Tata Motors, the cost of upgrading the existing diesel engine to comply with the new emission norms will be too expensive. This will also increase the price gap between petrol and diesel engines significantly; making them less attractive to potential customers.

Tata Altroz Diesel Unit Unlikely In India

Also, according to the company, most customers in the segment prefer a petrol engine, rather than diesel; further reducing its importance.

The Tata Altroz is the first product to be based on the brand's new 'ALFA' platform. Apart from the Altroz, Tata Motors also showcased the EV version of the Altroz at the Geneva Motor Show. Although details of the Altroz EV are yet to be announced, we can expect it to be introduced in the Indian market by 2021.

Tata Altroz Diesel Unit Unlikely In India

Apart from the two hatchbacks, Tata also showcased the H2X concept, which previewed the design for the upcoming Hornbill micro-SUV. The Tata H2X micro-SUV will rival the likes of the Mahindra KUV100 once launched in India. Another showcase was the Tata Buzzard, which is the seven-seater variant of the recently launched Harrier SUV in India.

Thoughts On The Tata Altroz Diesel Variant

Tata Motors recently announced the discontinuation of the diesel variant of the Tiago and Tigor offerings from their Indian lineup. With the strict BS-VI norms being implemented from April 2020, we can expect the Altroz to miss out on the diesel engine as well. Once launched in India, the Tata Altroz will rival the likes of the Maruti Baleno and the Honda Jazz.

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Read more on: #tata motors
Article Published On: Thursday, March 7, 2019, 10:36 [IST]
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