Tata To Prioritse Emissions Over Offroading Enthusiasts — Wait For Harrier 4x4 Just Got Longer

If you're a fan of the Tata Harrier and are waiting for the 4x4 variant then your vigil has just gotten quite a bit longer. Speaking to Autocar India on the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show, Rajendra Petkar, Chief Technology Officer of the carmaker stated that the Tata Harrier 4x4 is a possibility. However, he stated that Tata Motors is currently prioritising upgrading its lineup to meet upcoming BS-VI emission norms.

tata harrier 4x4 not a priority

Petkar told Autocar India, "If you look at it from a requirement and penetration point of view, demand for the 4x2 is the highest, and only a minority of customers want a 4x4 system. We will come up with the 4x4 at a time when it is required, but right now, our workload is high. We're prioritising and focusing on the challenges the upcoming BS-VI emissions norms pose."

The publication also claims that insiders at Tata Motors have revealed that fitting the Harrier with a 4x4 setup would require quite a bit of work regarding the position of the propeller shaft used by the SUV.

Tata Motors is currently working on upgrading its lineup of cars to meet upcoming BS-VI emission norms that go into effect on April 1, 2019. Recent reports have suggested that smaller Tata vehicles like the Tiago hatchback and Tigor compact sedan could ditch their turbocharged 1.05-litre diesel engine as the powerplant does not comply with BS-VI emission norms. There are similar reports suggesting that the new Altroz premium hatchback too could arrive without a diesel engine option.

The Harrier's current 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine is sourced from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and complies with current BS-IV emission norms. The Harrier's engine will be upgraded to BS-VI emission norms as FCA uses the same engine to power the Jeep Compass SUV.

However, the FCA diesel may not be the only engine option that will be available under the bonnet of the Harrier, once BS-VI emission norms come into effect next year. Tata Motors is currently developing a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the Harrier, which is expected to feature a power output similar to that of the diesel engine which currently cranks out 138bhp.

Tata Motors is also developing a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission setup, which will also make its way onto the Harrier in the future. The Harrier SUV is also expected to get a regular torque converter automatic gearbox from Hyundai sometime in the near future.

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Article Published On: Friday, March 8, 2019, 9:54 [IST]
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