REVEALED- Tata's Strategy To Reduce Impact of 2020 Hyundai Creta on Harrier's Popularity

Recently, Tata Motors updated its mid-size crossover, Harrier, with a more powerful diesel engine and a panoramic sunroof along with an automatic transmission option. Next, the company could be planning on giving its SUV a petrol heart to not only bring its starting price point lower but also to try and minimize the impact of the 2020 Hyundai Creta on the popularity of its most modern SUV. 

Also Read - Tata Nexon Outsells Mahindra XUV300 and Ford EcoSport - Facelift Effect?

Tata Motors will likely introduce a 4-cylinder version of Nexon's petrol engine.

The petrol variant of the SUV is expected to be launched this festive season. The SUV will get an updated version of the 1.2L Revotron unit seen on the Nexon, which is currently in its 3-cylinder avatar and will get an extra cylinder to displace 1500 cubic centimetres. On this note, Mr. Rajendra Petkar, has been quoted- “We’ve always had the four-cylinder version of this engine in mind, and with 65-70 per cent of Nexon sales now going to a petrol, this is the next step”.

Comparing the demand of Hector petrol and diesel, we understood, out of 19,060 units of Hector sold in between the period of 6 months i.e. July 2019 – January 2020, 10,448 car were sold with a petrol engine. The diesel engine contributed to a sale of just 8,612 units. Out of those 10,448 units of petrol Hector, only 2,468 were mild-hybrid versions. Thus, it is quite easy to understand why Tata Motors is interested in launching a petrol version of the Harrier.

Also Read - Tata Nexon Outsells Mahindra XUV300 and Ford EcoSport - Facelift Effect?

The 1.5L turbo-petrol engine is expected to belt out a peak power output of over 160 PS to take on the likes of MG Hector’s 1.5L turbo petrol unit that belts out 143 HP and Jeep Compass’s 1.4L turbo-petrol motor that propels 163 HP. Of course, it will be even higher than the 140 PS belted out by the 2020 Hyundai Creta's 1.4-litre turbo motor.

According to Tata Motors, their R&D division is trying their best will all possible permutations and combinations to churn out the highest power figures of this segment while keeping the reliability quotient intact. A larger variable geometry turbocharger unit is what Tata Motors is considering alongside increasing a cylinder count on the Nexon’s engine. However, Tata will have to play safe to effectively burn the charge in a bid to keep the CO2 emissions in check, as the industry will soon have to meet the CAFÉ II norms in 2022. To withstand the upcoming regulations, it would be interesting to see if Tata Motors introduces the Harrier with a 1.2L Series Hybrid or a 1.5L mild-hybrid powertrain.

Source: Autocar