What we’re not sure of is if this is the 207 facelift or Xenon single-cab. We’ll assume that this is the Xenon single-cab version and pen the rest of this story.
At present, Tata Motors sells the Xenon XT in India, which is the dual cab version. Tata had displayed the single-cab version of Xenon at the Delhi Auto Expo in 2008. A blue vehicle was parked alongside other debutant models like the Sumo Grande, Indica Vista and Tata Nano.
Thanks to Anything-On-Wheels for having the spyshots of the Tata Xenon single-cab being tested near Pune. According to the same, there were 2 pickup’s being tested, the one shown in the pictures and the other, a slightly more upmarket version with full wheel caps and body-coloured bumpers. He says, it might well be equipped with air-conditioning and power windows too, like the top-end Genio DC VX version.
The front end is lifted straight from the Xenon and retains its mean and macho looks with those high-mounted headlights and the massive bumper. There are obvious signs of cost-cutting and commercialization like the black bumpers, grille and door handles and a single black rear-view mirror on the driver’s side. If you are a fan of the clean and rounded profile of the Xenon XT with its integrated cabin and loading bay, you will not like this truck as the loading bay, like all its other competitors, is separate and disjointed from the cabin. The wraparound taillights of the original Xenon are replaced with the trademark rectangular lights. There is no blaming Tata though as the customers in this segment does not look for style but only value utility and ruggedness.
At that projected number, the Tata Xenon has all the potential to eat into some fraction of the Mahindra Genio’s sales. A single-cab version of the Xenon will only cause additional headache for Mahindra.
It is highly unlikely that Tata Motors will use the same engine as the Safari, the 2.2 liter DICOR with variable geometry turbo, producing 140PS of power and 320 Nm of torque that powers the original Xenon XT. But, if it does, this new truck will be a hoot to drive with class-leading power and torque figures. So, the Mahindra Genio is not going to have the party all for itself for too long as this Tata truck seems to be directly heading against it. God bless competition!
Also see –Spied – Tata Xenon XT LHD in Pune
Source – Anything-On-Wheels
