Tata Motors previewed four vehicles at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo – Zica, Kite 5, Hexa, and Nexon. The Zica was launched shortly after the expo and was dubbed the Tiago. And the Hexa was unveiled just recently. Bookings for the Hexa will commence soon and it will be on the roads by early next year.
The Tiago proved to be a runaway success for the Indian manufacturer. With a combination of good looks, quality interiors and respectable ride and handling, coupled with a price tag which undercuts the rivals, the hatchback was able to rack up 50,000 bookings since its launch.
Now, the Tiago-based sedan called Kite 5 has been spotted testing multiple times and is ready to go into production. However, due to the overwhelming response to the Tiago, there will be delay in Kite 5’s production. According to reports, the Kite 5 will be manufactured at the same Sanand plant where the Tiago is currently being manufactured. Of the 50,000 bookings, Tata has delivered only halfto the customers, and hence their first priority is reducing the waiting period for the Tiago and getting the cars delivered to the customers. Therefore, the manufacturer is more focussed on meeting the demands of the Tiago, by increasing its production. Consequently delaying the Kite 5 launch, which can be expected sometime around March next year.
The Kite 5 will be a sub-four metre compact sedan, with a front-end similar to that of the Tiago. The interiors and mechanicals will be shared as well, with the option of both petrol and diesel engines. The 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine making 84bhp and 114Nm or a 1.05-litre Revotorq turbocharged diesel churning out 69bhp and 140Nm will be offered. Both the engines are mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a possible automatic option to follow later. In addition to the existing competition of the segment, the Kite 5 will compete with the upcoming Chevrolet Essentia.
