Upcoming Tata Compact SUV (Hyundai Creta Rival) Teased In India

Upcoming Tata Compact SUV (Hyundai Creta Rival) Teased In India

2018 Tata Q501 will take on Hyundai Creta, Renault Captur and Jeep Compass; will be positioned between the Nexon and Hexa

We had already informed that Tata Motors was working on a new mid-size SUV that is codenamed Q501 or H5 as per recent reports and it has been spotted testing in the country a few times already. This SUV will come heavily inspired by the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

It shares the design, floor pan and several structural components with the British luxury SUV. Earlier, a test mule of the SUV was caught in Land Rover Discovery Sport guise and it has happened again. This time a prototype in the fleet of cars was said to have clocked around 1,77,000 km and had MID identical to the Nexon.

tata-h5-suv-teasedAhead of its Auto Expo debut, the SUV was teased (second sliding picture) previewing a little portion of the side fender and as in the images posted here it will have a sporty rear profile. Its five-seat version could have a roofline sloping towards the rear. As similar to the Discovery Sport, the Q501 or H5 will be offered in five as well as seven seat configurations offering flexibility to the customers with a number of buying choices.

Tata Q501 SUV Spotted Testing Again In India 2They will have different design altogether and it would be interesting to see how that pans out. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming mid-size SUV from Tata Motors:

Tata Q501 SUV Exterior and Design

The Tata Q501 is based on the same L550 lightweight platform that underpins the Discovery Sport reportedly. Apart from that, the front fascia, side profile and rear fascia too appear with loads of similarities but the distinctiveness is also visible with ‘O’ shaped LED lights from our observation. Previous images of the test mule showcased a single exhaust and steel wheels borrowed from the Tata Hexa.

Also Read: Tata Rolls Out 10,000th Nexon In Just Over Two Months Of Its Launch 

Tata Q501 SUV Spotted Testing Again In India 1Interestingly, the Tata Q501 is going to be the first car based on a Land Rover vehicle since the Indian company acquired the luxury marquee.

Tata Q501 SUV Engine, Specs, Mileage

Engine 2.0-litre Multijet-II diesel engine
Power 140 hp / 170 hp
Torque 320 Nm / 350 Nm
Transmission six-speed manual / six-speed AT
Mileage around 16 kmpl

On the powertrain front, the Tata Q501 SUV will use a Fiat sourced 2.0-litre Multijet-II diesel engine under the hood, instead of Jaguar Land Rover’s 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel motor which could be deemed expensive.

The same four-cylinder engine is also used in the well-received Jeep Compass developing 171 bhp at 3,750 rpm and 350 Nm at 1,750 rpm. On the transmission front, the Q501 SUV will get a six-speed manual while a six-speed automatic gearbox is also expected to be on offer.

2015 Tata Safari Storme 150 BHP EngineThe engine in its high tune could be used on the seven-seat version while the five-seater may produce around 140 hp and will be less expensive. Tata reportedly ordered 70,000 units of this engine from FCA and the vehicle is expected to eye foreign markets like South Africa, Indonesia and West Asia.

Also there will be both the Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) configurations available for Tata Q501. The base trims would get the FWD configuration, while the top trims will come equipped with AWD.

Also Read: Tata Nano EV To Be Christened As Jayem Neo 

Tata Q501 SUV Interior and Features

While the exterior shares several components and design elements with Discovery Sport, the interior of the upcoming SUV will don a premium look inspired by the Hexa presumably. The interior is also expected to come offering premium features like Harman audio with touchscreen infotainment system and loads of space to provide comfort for the occupants.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport’s body shell is made of high strength metal. It makes the car rigid and agile. Also being built with lightweight aluminum structure, the new Discovery comes significantly as a good handler. This improves the ride stability, torsionally rigidity and fuel economy crucially. Expect all these things to happen with the upcoming Tata Q501 as well.

Also Read: Tata Tigor Electric Version Will Reach Showrooms If Demands Exist 

Tata Q501 SUV Spotted Testing Again In India 3

Tata Q501 SUV Key Rivals

In somewhat a similar fashion to the Hexa, the five-seat version of the Tata Q501 will compete against the Hyundai Creta and the Renault Captur while the seven-seater will eye the market share of Jeep Compass.

Tata Motors is leaving no stone unturned while making its brand new SUV. The upcoming Q501 will share the Land Rover Discovery Sport’s Terrain Response Program and several other driver assistance technologies as well according to reports.

Tata Q501 SUV India Price

Tata Q501 India Price Rs. 10 to 15 lakh

The Q501 will be positioned between the Nexon subcompact SUV and the Hexa crossover and is expected to be priced aggressively against competitors as Creta has so far proved that the demand in the SUV has always been there by averaging 10,000 units of sales. We predict the prices to be in the region between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 15 lakh (ex-showroom).

Tata Q501 SUV Spotted Testing Again In India

Tata Q501 SUV India Launch

Tata Q501 India Launch February 2018

It is likely to be launched by the second half of this year but before that it will make uits global premiere at the 2018 Auto Expo next month. Tata is also busy working on a new flagship SUV codenamed the Q502 and it will be up for grabs in 2019. It will be slotted above the Hexa in Tata Motors portfolio and lock horns against rivals like Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour.

Tata Q501 SUV Spy Images

Source: Team-BHP