Tata Motors is rumoured to be working on a sub-four metre saloon based on the Tata Zica and pictures of camouflaged vehicles on test have shown up on the internet. Tata is expected to showcase this vehicle at the upcoming Auto Expo 2016 in Delhi.
When launched, this compact saloon might be named ‘Tata Sway’ and may replace the ageing Tata Indigo eCS in their current line-up of passenger cars. Going by their previous strategies, the Zica saloon could probably be positioned with an attractive price tag which may rival base trims of the Hyundai Xcent, Ford Figo Aspire, Maruti Dzire and Honda Amaze. It is obvious that this vehicle will carry over all the features from the Zica; which is dual front airbags, ABS, multifunction steering wheel and the two-DIN audio system with AUX, USB and bluetooth.
Likewise, engines on the Zica may ideally find their way on to the saloon version. This would include the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 85bhp with 114Nm of torque and the 1.05-litre three-cylinder diesel that makes 70bhp and 140Nm. Both motors would be mated to five-speed manual transmissions until the need for an AMT is envisioned.
When introduced, Tata’s Zica saloon will have the reputation of being the second product to be influenced by Tata’s new design language called the ‘Impact’.