Tata Motors launched the Nexon EV earlier this-year, and is now working on the launch of the Altroz EV, which was exhibited at the 2020 Auto Expo. Home-grown car maker is also working on an electrified version of the Tata Hornbill (HBX). It will likely be introduced by the end of 2021 or early 2022 depending on the demand of the electric cars in India.
Mr. Pratap Bose, Design Head, Tata Motors claims that the HBX Concept showcased at 2020 Auto Expo is 97% similar to the production version. It could get slim daytime running LED lights and headlamp clusters mounted on the front bumper. Test mules of the car with Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) have already been spotted road testing near Pune before India went into lockdown mode.
Tata Hornbill (HBX) production-ready car will compete head-on with the Maruti Ignis and the Mahindra KUV100. Another area where the HBX will have an advantage over its contemporaries, especially the Maruti Ignis (because Mahindra KUV100 will get an electric version), will be in the powertrain department as it will be offered even in an EV model which will feature a Ziptron series electric powertrain.
A rendering of Tata HBX Electric (HBX EV) has helped us get a fair idea of what the electrified mini-SUV will look-like. First things first, the EV version should not differ much from the ICE model as in the case with the Nexon. However, it would come with tri-arrow pattern highlights and an exclusive paint color to look different from the petrol-sipping version, in keeping with the company’s new styling theme.
It should also be noted here that the Tata Hornbill will initially launch exclusively in a petrol variant, and a few months later the electric version will join. The launch of the HBX was expected to take place by the end of this-year but the current COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the vehicle’s development. Now Tata Motors has pushed back the launch of the Petrol-powered Hornbill (HBX) to FY2021.
The Tata Horbill electric variant will benefit from Ziptron technology and will likely have an ARAI-certified driving range of over 300 km. The powertrain will also produce a maximum output of 100 PS and a peak torque of 200 Nm. A single-speed transmission must suit the engine. Like the Nexon Electric, the Tata HBX EV will also go on-sale with a comprehensive 8-year/1.6 lakh KMS powertrain warranty and DC fast-charging capability.
To read more on Tata H2X / Hornbill SUV, Click here
Also see: HBX Compact SUV from Tata Motors at 2020 Auto Expo
Image Credit: ElectricVehicleWeb
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