Zest sedan set to lead Tata Motors’ fight back

Tata Motors plans to launch its Zest compact sedan in August. Though Tata Motors had been fighting back in the passenger car market to revive flagging sales, delays and uncertainties dogged the effort, which included some caused by unforeseen internal incidents such as the untimely demise of ex-managing director Karl Slym.

However, finally, with the new Zest compact sedan, the company has a contender that commentators say would more than give its rivals a run for their money.

Perhaps the key factor that could change consumer perception in favour of the latest offering is the appeal of a completely overhauled product and service experience with the Zest.

Design-wise, the Zest is fresh and considerably different from anything seen in the past from the auto major. The model breaks fresh ground with new design lines, though the smiling grill is unchanged, and the bonnet grille has been reinterpreted to deliver a "younger" design.

With the Zest, the designers at Tata Motors have lived up to Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry's commitment to deliver cars with advanced modern technologies.

The Indian auto giant had had its latest engine based on innovative Revotron technology.

According to Ranjit Yadav, president and head, Tata Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, the Revotron 1.2T would power the company's upcoming cars - the Zest and the Bolt.

He added, to narrate the exciting technology story, in the most impactful way, the company was engaging with its customers through various exciting platforms like the Labs, the multi-drive-mode game, holograms and unique digital and on-ground activations.

The company had reportedly been working on the launches of the Zest, sedan to be followed by the launch of the Bolt hatchback in September. Both the cars would be powered by the new Revtron 1.2 litre turbocharged, four cylinder petrol engine delivering maximum power output of 85 Hp along with a peak torque of 140 Nm.

Diesel variants of Zest and Bolt would be offered with a 1.3 litre Quadrajet diesel powertrain offering varied power output for Zest and Bolt.

Tata Zest would come with the VGT version of the engine delivering peak power of 90 PS and peak torque of 200 Nm even as the Bolt hatchback would get 75 PS and 190 Nm of diesel power-train.