Tata HBX aims to dominate the micro-SUV segment in India
Tata Motors is gearing up to launch the much-awaited micro-SUV, Tata HBX in the country. The HBX has been under the camo for so long a time, with much confusion surrounding the actual name of the production guise. There were earlier rumors suggesting that the product will be named Hornbill or the Timero, which have now been proven pointless as the carmaker has released the first official teasers of the HBX onl YouTube, calling it ‘Tata HBX’. This is the first time that Tata Motors is giving a production car the same name as its concept. Looking back, the H5X was launched as the Harrier, H7X as the Safari, and 45X as the Altroz.
Tata HBX: What We Know Of It Yet?
The teaser video reveals a few key design details of the HBX. It suggests that the production-spec might not deviate sharply from the concept in terms of design. The production car will come with identical design highlights as the concept but in a notably toned-down fashion. The videos show LED DRLs, split headlamp design, Harrier (or Safari)-like front end, pronounced ‘Humanity Line’, and LED taillamps which look absolutely radical. The earlier spy shots had revealed that the HBX would get a prominent body cladding as well.
The cabin will get a handsome styling that mimics the one on the concept, along with decent kit levels. Expect it to be smaller and slightly less-equipped than the Altroz. But you would get things like a digital instrument cluster, three-spoke flat-bottom steering, 7.0-inch free-standing touchscreen infotainment system, etc.
Tata HBX: Platform
The HBX will be underpinned by Tata’s renowned ALFA architecture and would stand quite close to the Altroz in terms of overall dimensions. This essentially means that it would be fairly larger than the Tiago even while being labeled a ‘micro-SUV’. It is expected to measure somewhere around 3,840 mm in length, 1,822 mm in breadth and 1,635 mm in height, with a wheelbase of around 2,450 mm. If you might recollect, this is almost the size of the Tigor.
Tata HBX: Engine And Transmission
While we have had no clear word on it yet, the HBX is expected to come with two engines- 1.2L petrol and 1,2L turbo petrol. Tiago’s 5-speed manual and 5 speed AMT are expected as transmissions. Selectable drive modes are hoped to be present on the higher variants.
HBX is expected to launch in the coming weeks and would go against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, etc. However, the upcoming Hyundai AX1 (Casper) could be called a rival in the true sense.
