After launching Tata Harrier, Tata will unveil four cars for this year's Geneva Auto Show ,including the recently named premium hatchback, Altroz. Their latest line-up, according to Autocar, includes an SUV that fills the gap between the full-sized Harrier and the sub-4 metre Nexon. The new SUV has been codenamed 'blackbird' and this is not surprising considering Tata's affinity for using bird to codename their projects. The new SUV will sit right in between the Harrier and the Nexon, both in terms of pricing as well as size. The Blackbird will be based on Tata's Alfa small car platform, but will be stretched out to 4.2 metres, according to the auto publication . This will make it the first product on the Alfa platform that's over four metres in length. While engine options and performance figures are not known yet, the report stated that it could use a more powerful version of the Nexon's turbo-petrol and diesel engine. On the Nexon, the 1.2-litre petrol makes 110 PS and 170 Nm of peak torque while the 1.5-litre diesel puts out 110 PS and 260 Nm of peak torque. Of course, there are no more details about the car yet, but there is expectation of a long list of high-tech interior features including a large touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster among others. Autocar says the Blackbird is expected to launch sometime in 2021 when it will compete with the Hyundai Creta and Maruti's upcoming SUV that's set for a launch in 2020.<doc-sep>There’s no other way to put it – Tata Motors has been on a product offensive of late. Coming off the launch of the hotly-anticipated Harrier, the company has lined up four global unveils for its 21st Geneva motor show outing – including its production-ready premium hatchback, the Tata Altroz. However, even as it pulls the covers off of four new cars, we can now confirm the carmaker is already working on yet another SUV – one that will fill the final gap in Tata Motors’ SUV line-up. Internally known as ‘Blackbird’, this new Tata SUV is designed to fit in between the Nexon and Harrier. The Nexon is a proper sub-four-metre offering, and the Harrier is a 4.5-metre-long, full-size SUV. There’s a vast gap between the two in terms of size as well as price – the Nexon is priced between Rs 6.36-10.80 lakh, while the Harrier costs Rs 12.69-16.25 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom). Tata Motors has identified this gap, and will fill it with the Blackbird SUV. Originally, Tata Motors had to pick between making a new sedan that would rival the Honda City, or a new SUV. Unsurprisingly, the ever-growing demand for SUVs swung the decision in favour of the latter option. At first, Tata planned to build this new SUV (then codenamed H4) on the Harrier’s Land Rover-derived Omega platform, but that wasn’t feasible - from both a technical as well as a cost standpoint. Now, Tata has renamed the project ‘Blackbird’, and the SUV will instead be built on the company’s Alfa small car platform, which will be extended and stretched substantially for the Blackbird. Expected to measure in at 4.2 metres in length (or about the same size as the Hyundai Creta), the Tata Blackbird will be the first product on the Alfa platform to be more than four metres in length. Engine options for the Blackbird aren’t yet known, but it’s likely to use a more powerful version of the Nexon’s 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine making around 120hp, along with an upgraded version of the Nexon’s 1.5-litre diesel engine. Also worth noting is the fact that Tata Motors wants to skip hybrids and go down the EV route, and an all-electric version of the Blackbird SUV could also be on the cards. Expect the Blackbird to have a bold but distinctive appearance, shaped by Tata design chief Pratap Bose and his team, as well as a fairly high-tech interior replete with a large touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster and a long features list. When it is launched sometime in 2021, the Blackbird will complete Tata’s SUV line-up, which, by then, will comprise the Hornbill micro-SUV, the Nexon, the Harrier and the seven-seat H7X. The Tata Blackbird SUV will have competition not only in the Hyundai Creta, but also in the form of Maruti Suzuki’s upcoming SUV, which is due in 2020. What do you think could Tata do to make the Blackbird irresistible compared to rivals such as the Hyundai Creta? Let us know in the comments. Also see: 7-seat Tata Harrier (H7X) teased ahead of Geneva unveil Production-spec 45X officially named Tata Altroz 2019 Tata H7X SUV spied testing in India All-electric Tata 45X India launch likely within 2 years<doc-sep>News Tata Blackbird SUV Launch Timeline, Features & Other Details By Tata Blackbird compact SUV will be based on the new ALFA modular platform. Tata Motors is getting aggressive with its product strategy for the Indian market. After launching the Harrier SUV, Tata has lined up 4 products to be unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. The company will showcase the production-ready Altroz premium hatchback, a 7-seater SUV likely to be called Buzzard, a micro SUV concept internally called the Hornbill and an all-electric concept. What’s interesting is that the homegrown automaker is also working on a 5-seater compact SUV, internally called Tata Blackbird that will sit between the Nexon and the Harrier SUV. The Tata Blackbird SUV will directly rival the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks and Renault Duster. While the Nexon sits below 4 meter, the Harrier is around 4.5 meters in length. There is a decent gap between the two SUVs in terms of pricing as well as size. Tata acknowledge this aspect and is now readying an all-new SUV that will measure around 4.2 meters in length. Interestingly, the Blackbird will be the first Tata SUV to be based on the new ALFA platform that also underpins the Altroz premium hatchback. Tata Blackbird Launch The company is yet to make an official announcement on the launch of the Blackbird mid-sized SUV. However, media reports claim that the SUV will go on sale in early 2021. A possible debut in the form of concept at the 2020 Auto Expo can’t be ignored. Tata Blackbird Price Minimum 9.5 lakh Maximum 13.5 lakh The mid-sized SUV will be positioned right between the Nexon and the Harrier in terms of pricing. While the Nexon is retailed at Rs 6.36 – 10.80 lakh, the Harrier is priced between Rs 12.69 – 16.25 lakh. The Tata Blackbird is likely to be priced somewhere between Rs 9.5 lakh – Rs 13.5 lakh. Tata Blackbird Specifications Blackbird Specifications Petrol Engine 1.2-litre turbo (Expected 120bhp) Diesel Engine 1.5-litre turbo-diesel Gearbox 6-speed Manual & Automatic To be based on the ALFA modular platform, the Tata Blackbird SUV is likely to be available in petrol and diesel guise. The SUV could receive the more powerful version of the 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine that also powers the Nexon. This engine is likely to produce around 120bhp of power. The oil burner is likely to receive the upgraded version of the 1.5-litre engine that powers the Nexon. While powering the sub-4 meter model, this powertrain produces 110bhp and 260Nm of torque. The company is also considering the all-electric version of the SUV. Also See – Tata Hornbill micro SUV details inside Tata Blackbird Features – ALFA modular platform – Touchscreen infotainment system – Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink – All-electric version – Digital instrument console. – Automatic climate control – Multiple airbags – ABS + EBD, brake assist – LED lights Tata Blackbird Exterior The Blackbird SUV will be based on the new ALFA platform that also underpins the Altroz premium hatchback. The styling will be based on the new IMPACT 2.0 DESIGN philosophy that debuted on the Harrier SUV. This model is expected to measure around 4.2 meter in length, which is right between the Nexon and Harrier. The SUV is expected to carry a bold but distinctive appearance. It is expected to come with several modern design elements and aggressive styling. Some of the design highlights are likely to include a slimmer grille with 3D Humanity line, bigger headlamps with LED DRLs, tri-arrow shaped fog lamps, slimmer tail-lights, pronounced wheel arches, sloping roofline and others. Tata Blackbird Interior The Tata Blackbird compact SUV will come with a high-tech interior with several modern features. In terms of features, the SUV is likely to get a large touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a digital instrument console, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable seats, etc. For passengers’ safety and security, the Blackbird is likely to get dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and others as standard. The top-end models could get high-end safety features like traction control, ESP, hill launch assist, etc. Source<doc-sep>News Tata Says No To New Premium Sedan – Here’s Why By The reason behind this decision is the constantly increasing demand for SUVs. Tata Motors has shelved its plan to produce a new premium mid-size sedan for the Indian market. Instead, the home-grown carmaker will work on an all-new premium SUV (codenamed Tata Blackbird) based on the Alpha platform. The reason behind picking up a SUV over a mid-size sedan is the constantly increasing demand for Sporty Utility Vehicles. Earlier, there were rumors that the carmaker will foray into mid-size sedan segment with a new model that will be stacked up against the Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Hyundai Verna. Based on the Alpha platform, the new saloon was reported to share some of its design bits with the Tata E-Vision sedan that broke cover at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Now, the home-grown carmaker aims to expand its SUV product portfolio with the all-new Tata Blackbird. Measuring around 4.2 metres in length, this new SUV will bridge the gap between Nexon and Harrier. It’s likely to share its powertrains with the Nexon. Though, the company might tune both engines (1.5L diesel and 1.2L petrol) for generating extra power. An electric version of the SUV might also be on offer. The Tata Blackbird SUV is reported to go on sale sometime in 2021. Besides the Blackbird SUV, Tata Motors will introduce the Altroz premium hatchback and Harrier 7-seater SUV. Both models will debut at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show on 5th March, followed by their India launch by the end of this year. Latest Video – Tata Altroz Debut Details Source<doc-sep>
News Tata Blackbird SUV Under Development; To Rival Hyundai Creta By In terms of size and pricing, the Tata Blackbird SUV will sit between Nexon and Harrier. Tata Motors has ambitious plan for the Indian market. The home-grown carmaker has confirmed that it will rolled out Altroz (45X concept based) premium hatchback and Harrier’s 7-seater version by the end of this year. The company will also introduce a mini SUV (Tata Hornbill) that will be stacked up against production version of the Maruti Suzuki Future S concept. According to Autocar, Tata Motors is also working on a premium SUV that will sit between the Nexon and Harrier in terms of size and pricing. Codenamed Tata Blackbird, the new SUV will take on the Hyundai Creta and the newly-launched Nissan Kicks. The Tata Blackbird SUV might make its global debut at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, followed by its India launch in 2021. The Tata Blackbird SUV will be designed on the Alpha platform that will also underpin the Altroz hatchback. The carmaker had confirmed that its new Alpha modular architecture will be used for passenger vehicles between 3800mm – 4400mm in length. The new Tata SUV is likely to measure 4.2 metres in length, thus making it as long as its arch rival – Hyundai Creta (4,270mm). While the Tata Altroz hatchback will be the first production model to be built on Alpha platform, the Tata Blackbird will be the brand’s first Alpha based vehicle measuring over 4 metre. Designed by Tata design chief Pratap Bose and his team, the Tata Blackbird SUV is likely to feature unique styling and bold stance. Interior is likely to be packed with advanced features including a large touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster. Engine details of the new Tata premium SUV are still under the wraps. Though, it’s reported to come with the more powerful and upgraded version of the 1.2L Revotron petrol and 1.5L Revotorq diesel motors that do duty in the Nexon. The report further suggests that the Tata Blackbird SUV could also be offered with an all-electric powertrain. Latest Video – Tata Harrier Review