Tata Sierra EV Project Confirmed: Launching As Pure EV Verison Only

The Sierra was first showcased in its concept form at the 2020 Auto Expo and was speculated to be available in IC and EV versions. However, people in the know tell us that the brand has greenlit the Sierra project and will be part of the brand's new 'Born Electric' platform.

Sigma EV Platform

The new platform under Tata's portfolio will spawn pure electric vehicles in future. The current crop of electric vehicles sold by the brand such as the Nexon and the Tigor uses the platform as its IC engine counterparts.

However, the Sierra EV will not have to make any such compromise on the platform. The new Sigma EV platform will be based on the X4 or ALFA platform. However, the EV's platform will be tailormade to suit the build and characteristics of the EV. This includes battery pack placement, electric motor housing and other mechanicals.

To support the electric vehicle architecture, we expect the new platform to be lighter, more energy-efficient and offer more space than the Nexon EV and the Tigor EV. This also means that Sierra could be the first model from the brand that could feature storage space under the bonnet as well, making it more practical for everyday use.

Range & Charging

Speaking about practicality, the new Sierra EV's specs are yet to be revealed. However, we can expect the upcoming electric SUV to offer a certified range of up to 500KM on a single battery charge.

The speculation is based on the Nexon EV certified range of 312KM on a full charge. However, as mentioned earlier, the Nexon EV does not use the Sigma EV platform, which poses a few trade-offs.

Coming back to the Sierra EV, Tata Motors will feature fast charging technology on the SUV. We can expect something in the lines of a 15-minute quick charge offering a significant increase in the driving range.

Features

The Sierra EV is expected to be feature-packed including a large touchscreen infotainment system with AI assistance. Other equipment includes creature comforts such as multiple-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, digital cluster, ventilated seats and more.

Also, the Sierra EV could be offered as a three-row seating SUV, with 6, 7 or even 8 seat options. This will significantly enhance the practical nature of the new Sierra EV, which would encourage buyers to shift from ICE vehicles.

India Launch & Expected Price

The Sierra EV is some time away and is not expected to be seen in the market before 2025. However, with the growing demand and implementation of EVs in the country, we can expect Tata Motors to fast-track the development process of the Sierra EV.

As mentioned earlier, it is all speculations at this point with the new Sierra EV including its price. Tata has always been aggressive with their product pricing and we expect the same with the launch of Sierra EV, which could start at around Rs 25 lakh.

Future EVs From Tata Motors

The brand currently owns the four-wheeler passenger segment with the Nexon EV (best-selling passenger EV) and the Tigor EV (most affordable passenger four-wheeler) in the Indian market.

However, Tata Motors recently announced a new EV subsidiary called the TPEML (Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited). The new wing will see an investment of Rs 15,000 crore on product development, with a promise of 10 EVs in the next five years. This will include the Sierra EV as well.

Thoughts About The Tata Sierra EV

Tata Sierra is one of the iconic SUVs that was on sale back in the 90s and early 2000s. The three-door design with a potent diesel engine and an optional 4WD made it popular among enthusiasts. With the world moving towards sustainable mobility, Tata Motors is all set to revive the legendary SUV for the next generation. Whether the new Sierra EV live up to the nameplate remains to be seen.

Source: Autocar India