Production version of Tata Hornbill could debut at 2020 Auto Expo and is expected to be based on Alpha platform as the upcoming 45X
Tata Motors looks set to have another successful year and is kick starting the campaign with the launch of the highly anticipated Harrier. The premium SUV was at the core of all the musings in the later half of 2018 instigated by the debut of HSX concept earlier in the year and as promised it did not disappoint.
On the back of healthy volume sales with Tiago leading the charts for the brand, a new phase of vehicles is waiting to hit the domestic market as Tata embarks on a new strategy to be present in 90 percent of the addressable segments. Tata will expand into the segments it has not had a dig at with the help of Impact Design 2.0.
The evolution of the existing styling language presence in recent crop of vehicles, the Impact Design 2.0 is shaping up to be a positive affair among customers. The design direction the Harrier has taken along with the forthcoming X451 premium hatchback are prime examples. The X451 will compete against Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20.
Another volume segment Tata will address is the micro SUV space that has not been explored much. The homegrown automaker is expected to debut the production version of the micro SUV based on the Alpha platform as the X451 at the 2020 Auto Expo. However, its concept version will likely make world premiere at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show hosted between March 7 and 17.
Reported to be christened the Hornbill, the micro SUV will also adorn Impact Design 2.0 philosophy. It is expected to lock horns with Mahindra KUV100 and the Concept Future S based Mahindra small SUV. Codenamed X445, we brought you exclusive spy pictures of the model several times in recent months and it will likely be positioned slightly above the Tiago and below the Nexon compact SUV.
The Hornbill could launch during the course of 2020. It is only logical to assume that the Hornbill will use BSVI compliant petrol and diesel engines and they could be derived from the Tiago with extra dose of performance. Both manual and AMT transmission choices are expected to be on board.