Tata Motors showcases 'Elegante' at Geneva

Geneva: Tata Motors, India's largest auto maker, on Tuesday unveiled its concept car 'Elegante' and plans to launch a variant of Indica and sedan Indigo with designs taken from the new platform for moving up to the bigger segment.

"The concept car that we are showcasing here would probably meet the design quest of our new models which will go into production from next year and the next to follow," Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata said at the Geneva Auto Show.

He said the company was at a fairly advanced stage of development of a new Indica, the designs of which would be similar to the 'Elgante'. This will be followed by the launch of sedan a new indigo based on the new platform.

Tata said in 2006, the new Indica would be launched followed by the new Indigo six months later. He also said that the new sedan in the Indigo series would migrate up toward the top end of the medium-sized segment.

The Elegante has been conceptualised to incorporate a 4-cylinder transverse petrol and diesel engines from 1.4-litre to 2-litres and a compact V6 petrol power unit. Its diesel version has the common rail direct injection turbo engines and the capability to comply with Euro V emission norms.

The future cars based out 'Elegante' could be launched in the Indian market shortly as the company is pushing hard to turn concepts into actual products.

"We are focusing on production rather than making mere concepts let them remain as concepts and models based out of Elegante will out on the roads soon," Tata Motors managing director Ravi Kant said.