The production-spec Tata Nexon (also called as the Osprey project, internally codenamed X104) compact SUV is reported to make a public debut at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo, here is the first sighting of a Tata Nexon prototype, being tested around Tata Motors factory in Pune.
Since revealing its Nexon Concept at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, Tata Motors had remained tight lipped about the development of a final production model. However, these spy pictures confirm that the Pune-based car maker is well on its way to producing a compact SUV as you’d expect it to be with the close resemblance to its concept version.
The test-mule is heavily disguised, but peeking through the camouflage is the car maker’s signature smiley nose front grille with a front bumper that appears to be positioning the foglights similar to the Nexon Concept. Those ugly dummy round-headlamps will get replaced by conventional swept-back units on the production version.
On the side profile, the sloping roofline will generate a compact rear window is a nod to the Nexon Concept, while all other visible elements appear to be toned down from the aggressive concept version. The rear-end of the SUV is too heavily disguised to point out anything more than the design of the rear window and the rear fog lamp.
The interior can be seen in this set of pictures, but no surprises here – it looks identical to that of the latest Tata Zica. Dashboard features the same 3-spoke short-diameter multi-function steering wheel as the Zica, a similar hexagonal center console, door handles & door locks, design of front and rear seats too is same, and so is the legroom and space. We can safely expect a lot of parts sharing between the two cars.
Naturally, we expect to see the Tata Nexon share engines and transmissions with its siblings. Indian customer should get to choose between a Zica’s 85 PS/114 Nm 1.2-litre Revotron 3-cylinder petrol engine and a 75 PS/190 Nm 1.3-litre Quadrajet diesel engine, borrowed from Fiat. AutoCarIndia reports that a new in-house developed 112 PS 1.5-litre diesel engine, under their new Revotorq family will make its debut with this SUV.
The Tata Nexon (Osprey/X104) is expected to make its Indian market launch by late-2016 or early-2017.
Checkout more spy pictures, after a jump.
To read more on Tata Nexon, Click here
Also see: Tata Motors will add a Compact SUV in 2017, codenamed ‘Osprey’
Source: Autocolumn
