The company’s next-generation hatchback (code: X451) was spotted testing for the first time on Indian roads. This will be the first car to be built on Tata Motors’ Advanced Modular Platform (AMP), which will underpin a lot of the carmaker’s small car range. The car will be positioned right above the Tiago and will be pit against the Hyundai i20 and Suzuki Baleno.
The test car looks like it has a longer wheelbase and company sources have stated that the X451 is a good 200mm longer than the Tiago. It however, still ducks under the crucial 4 metre mark to be classified as a ‘small car’ to avail tax benefits, which slots it into a lower tax bracket.
The X451 could be powered by the Tiago’s 1.2 three-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine but the motor in this car could make a bit more power. The turbo-charged version of this engine could feature later in the line-up. Tata is looking at launching the production version of the X451 in 2019 and is it will most probably be produced at the company’s Sanand factory in Gujarat.
