Tata Tiago, Tata Nexon, Tata Hexa Under Consideration For South Africa

The Tata Zica was then renamed as the Tata Tiago and presented at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. All three models are developed as comeback products of the Big T in India.

The company said earlier this month that all or some of these new models could be launched in South Africa.

“We are most impressed with the new ranges on show at the (2016) Delhi Auto Show as they are much improved in all aspects and we believe they can be competitive in the South African market in the future”, said Kyri Michael, CEO at Accordian Investments (Tata passenger car and LCV distributor in South Africa). “We are now looking forward to the roll-out of the new models to give added impetus to the Tata brand in the local passenger car market, starting later this year,” he added.

The company won’t be putting these cars right away on the market though. India and South Africa although similar, have differences in the kind of specifications demanded by the consumers and the driving conditions. Changes to the engine calibration, suspension travel, tire specification and interior colours are required before the cars are loaded on a ship to Africa. To begin the company’s transformation in South Africa, the Bolt and the Zest were launched last year.

The Tata Tiago, Tata Nexon and Tata Hexa feature Tata Motors’ new ‘IMPACT’ design language, and a new Human Machine Interface, with a Harman infotainment system. The Tiago’s engine options include a 1.2-litre Revotron three-cylinder petrol unit good for 85 PS and 115 Nm of torque and a 1.05-litre Revotorq diesel unit developing 70PS and 140 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a standard 5-speed manual transmission.

The Nexon, a ‘compact SUV’ in Tata Motors’ words, is a sub-4 metre vehicle with a ground clearance of 200 mm. It will be available with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel. The Hexa is a three-row SUV that features a 2.2-litre VARICOR 400 turbocharged diesel engine that produces 156 PS (154 hp) and 400 Nm of torque, linked to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Hexa and the Nexon will launch in the second half of the year in India, whereas the Tiago is expected on March 28.