Get a Wing Driver

Space and efficient diesel engines have always been the USP of Tata cars. The recently introduced Winger Platinum, a new version of Tata’s large people carrier, the Winger, now gets seven seats rather than 10 to 14 available on the other variants. Tata claims the Winger Platinum to be a luxurious vehicle which provides an enhanced on-road experience with a perfect blend of comfort and space. So, how true is it? We dig deeper to find out.

Highlights:

- The Tata Winger Platinum BS IV is available at a price of Rs. 7.4 lakh, ex-showroom in Mumbai without Octroi.

- Tata offers the Winger Platinum in two exterior colour options – Pearl White and Cycus Grey.

-The Winger Platinum comes with a 1,50,000km/ 18-month warranty.

The Tata Winger is based on the third-generation Renault Trafic van. Externally, the visual changes on the Platinum when compared to the conventional Winger are the front chrome grille, clear lens head lamps and tail lamps, side-step and the two new colours - Pearl White and Cycus Grey. Apart from that, the rest of the vehicle remains identical.

The Winger Platinum is a lot more sophisticated on the inside, nonetheless, and this is where the major changes have been made. The regular Winger comes with a seating option of 10 to 14 seats. However, the Platinum gets seven captain seats with recliners for enhanced comfort. Tata believes, this alone is a strong enough selling point for the Winger Platinum because it’s now spacious and thanks to the large seats, it makes traveling more relaxing. All the seven seats get armrests with acres of leg and knee room even for the last row passengers. The second and third rows get separate roof-mounted air-con vents. The other feel good features on the Platinum include a 2-DIN music system with USB that plays music through four-speakers, and leather -covered steering wheel, gear knob and hand brake lever.

The driver meanwhile gets a height adjustable seat; a feature generally not seen in this category. Also, the visibility thanks to a large windshield is very good on the Winger. However, the outside rear view mirrors could have been better, especially given the size of the vehicle. These are tall yes, but not wide enough to provide hassle free view of the rear while parking or reversing. Moreover, most of the view from the high-mounted central mirror inside the cabin is obstructed by the tailgate door. The steering wheel is a bit too large too, and its angle could have been more inclined.

The Winger Platinum gets a 1948cc diesel engine complete with a turbocharger. It is however, part of Tata’s first generation engines. This is the same engine that powered the Tata Sierra Turbo and the first generation Tata Safari. The oil burner produces 90bhp and a maximum torque of 190Nm. The conventional Winger gets another engine variant, which uses the same block but does has no turbocharger and thus, produces a mere 68bhp. Don’t expect the Winger Platinum to please the enthusiast in you either. To begin with thanks to its weight, it has a poor power to weight ratio of about 35bhp/tonne. The engine also does feel sluggish and it screams for mercy as the revs inch closer to the redline. But, the good part is that the Winger with its turbocharged engine can cruise all day at a speed of 80-100kmph in the top cog without feeling strained. The engine thus fulfils the purpose as the Winger wasn’t built to win drag races.

The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission which is operated via a large gear knob that takes some getting used to. The gear stick vibrates on idle as well. And of course, given the engine output and weight combination, one needs to downshift often to overtake.

The suspension on the Winger Platinum has been tuned for comfort. The result is a smooth and well composed ride quality as the suspension irons out most of the road shocks, undulations and jolts. Even when cruising at speeds of 80-100kmph, the ride on the Winger Platinum doesn’t feel unsettled.

The handling of the Winger Platinum is decent for its class of vehicle; let’s not forget that it is a very large vehicle for personal transportation. Driving quickly around corners and bends could be scary as it has loads of body roll; good enough really to put the driver off around a corner. This is fine since it is not meant to race on a track and the good part is it didn’t feel nervous at a speed of 80-100kmph when we drove it on banked highways.

The Tata Winger Platinum with seven captain seats and loads of space is a great commuting tool for long-distance as well as intra-city drives for working executives, large families and luxury tourist usage. You will feel that the fit and finish is tad below average, and when you drive, it feels like a mini-bus. But once you become a passenger, then all your complaints get converted into a joy ride. So all you need to do is “get a wing driver” for your Platinum and commuting won’t be a pain anymore.