Tata Motors launches Tigor compact sedan at Rs 470,000

Tata Motors today launched its third compact sedan, the Tigor (pronounced Tee-gor) in Mumbai.  

The pricing strategy is an aggressive one, starting at Rs 470,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the Revotron 1.2-litre (petrol) variant and Rs 560,000 for the Revotorq 1.05-litre (diesel) variant.

Unveiling the Tata Tigor in Mumbai today, Guenter Butschek, CEO and MD, Tata Motors, said, “With our passion to shape the mobility of tomorrow, we have constantly pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering by creating new category vehicles. This pursuit of something different led us to what we call ‘Styleback’ as our re-definition of the compact sedan category. The Tigor expresses a youthful mixture of design, style and attitude.”

Based on the Tiago hatchback, the Tigor shares much of its design and engines with its hatchback sibling but rather than just tacking on a traditional boot, Tata Motors has opted for a more flowing design, branded by the company as ‘Styleback.’ The result is a more coupé-like roofline and new rear doors. The Tigor also gets a 50mm longer wheelbase than its hatchback sibling and, at 419 litres, has the biggest boot in the segment.

In the cabin, the layout mirrors that of the Tiago but with a few minor differences. The rear seat is set lower to free up headroom while the backrest has been reclined further. The Tigor also gets added equipment with the inclusion of a rear centre armrest with integrated cupholders, the Harman-sourced touchscreen infotainment system from other newer Tata models, a new auto climate control system and a reverse camera. The petrol models additionally get new diamond cut 15-inch alloy wheels on the top trim level while the diesel shares the 14-inch alloy wheels with the Tiago.

The compact sedan gets the same 85hp, 1.2-litre Revotron three-cylinder petrol motor and the 70hp 1.05-litre Revotorq diesel engine paired to a five-speed manual gearbox, as on the Tiago. The option of an AMT gearbox is expected as well but at a later stage.

Being based on the smaller Tiago, the Tigor is very competitively priced with its base model undercutting the segment by Rs 50,000. At present, the compact sedan segment isn't the hot segment it once was, and Tata Motors says that most people find the models unattractive due to the odd proportions. So with the new 'Styleback' design and the attractive pricing, the carmaker is hoping to rev up sales in the segment it created.