Tata Sierra EV Concept to Spawn Petrol and Diesel-powered Production Model

Remember the Tata Sierra EV concept which was showcased at the Auto Expo 2020? Well, there’s a chance that it might enter production as a conventional, internal-combustion-engine-powered vehicle.

Tata Sierra concept showcased at Auto Expo 2020

Tata Motors had managed to generate a lot of interest at the Auto Expo with the Sierra concept, and there have been several follow-ups by fans on twitter as well. While nothing has been confirmed at this point, it does seem likely that the vehicle might soon enter production. If it does, it would be a smart choice by the manufacturer to offer a petrol or diesel engine under the hood instead of an electric powertrain. The reason is simple – poor EV infrastructure in India.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV300 EV Gets Longer Range Than Tata Nexon EV

It wouldn’t be difficult for Tata to offer the Sierra as an EV though, as the company already has an electric SUV in its arsenal - Tata Nexon EV. Based on the company’s ZIPTRON technology, the Nexon EV draws power from a 30.2 kWh battery pack. The battery is connected to an electric motor capable of producing 129 PS and 254 Nm. It would be easy for the manufacturer to share powertrains between the two vehicles, thus also keeping the prices concerned with manufacturing under check. That said, India does not have a proper support system in place for EVs. Charging stations are extremely limited, and the ones that are available are mostly used for commercial vehicles.

Also Read: Production version of New Tata Sierra Looks Dapper in this Rendering

Having petrol or diesel engines would help make the car more accessible to the public. Fuel stations are available aplenty in India. Service and support are also better for conventional vehicles as compared to EVs. As discussed above for the Sierra EV and Nexon EV, the production-spec Sierra could borrow its engines from the regular Nexon. The petrol mill is a 1.2-litre turbocharged inline-3 (Revotron) motor with 120 PS and 170 Nm on tap, while the diesel one is a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-4 (Revotorq) unit that generates 110 PS and 260 Nm.

The overall design of the concept mirrors that of the OG Tata Sierra

Another thing to note here is that the ICE-powered Sierra will be more affordable than the electric-powered one. In a price-sensitive market like India, this is also an important factor to be considered. Regardless of what the final production model of the Sierra ends up being though, it cannot be denied that Tata has a major potential hit on their hands.