Tata Harrier Production Begins; Exterior Unveiled For First Time

Tata Harrier premium SUV rivalling Hyundai Creta and Jeep Compass will officially go on sale in India in early 2019

Tata Motors has released a brand new video as part of the lengthy teaser campaign for the Harrier SUV ahead of its market debut in early 2019. The homegrown automaker has managed to keep the premium SUV hidden under wraps throughout the campaign but not anymore as the first production unit rolling out of the assembly lines showcases what we all have been waiting to see.

The company says it took just six months for the Harrier’s new assembly line to be established at its facility in Pune. The Harrier SUV is “built with best manufacturing processes from Jaguar Land Rover” as over 100 KUKA and ABB robots delivered more than 90 percent automation.

While Tata still maintains the footage is from prototype build, we can very well see the production design cues officially for the first time. As previously promised, Tata has delivered on making the Harrier a stunning looker with styling taken from the H5X concept.

It is the first model to adorn the Impact Design 2.0 while also being the first vehicle to be based on the OMEGA (Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced) architecture that is derived from Land Rover’s D8 responsible for over a million SUVs worldwide.

The Harrier derives power from a 2.0-litre Kryotec four-cylinder diesel engine which should be good enough to produce a maximum power output of 140 hp. Mated to a six-speed manual as standard, a Hyundai-sourced six-speed torque converter automatic will be offered as optional.

With multi drive modes coupled with the ESP Terrain Response modes, Advanced Electronically Controlled Variable Geometry Turbocharger (eVGT), Low Friction Valve Train Architecture and an Advanced EGR, the Harrier is expected to make a big impact in the segment performance wise. Both two- and all-wheel-drive systems will be available upon launch we suspect.

The five-seater is reported to have on-road price between Rs. 16 lakh and 21 lakh to rival Hyundai Creta as well as Jeep Compass. It will likely be showcased to the media in December ahead of market debut in January and will play a key role in the brand’s success in the coming years.

Having been tested for more than 2.2 million km in different surface and weather conditions, the Harrier will more likely impress the buyers with its stuffed features list and premium interior.