The Tata Indica is a small hatchback automobile manufactured by Tata Motors of India. The model is also exported to Europe as well as retailing in South Africa from late 2004. In the UK a badge engineered version was imported by the MG Rover Group and sold as the Rover CityRover.

History

On 30 December 1998, Tata Motors (previously called TELCO) introduced the most modern car ever to be designed by an Indian company: the Indica. Marketed with slogans like "The Big... Small Car" and "More car per car," the ad campaign focused on roomy interiors and affordability. Within a week of its unveiling in 1999, the company received 115,000 bookings. In two years, the Indica became the number one car in its segment.

Partly designed and developed by Tata Motors, it is a five-door compact hatchback with a 1.4 L petrol/diesel engine designated as 475DL internally. This is a homegrown engine which is derived from the engine used by Tata in their line of pickups and SUVs earlier with a reduced stroke. The original engine was designated as 483DL which stood for 4 cylinder and 83 mm stroke.

The Indica offered options like air conditioning and electric windows, which were previously restricted to only upmarket imported cars in India. Three years later the Indica was exported to European markets for the first time, and from 2003 the Indica was badge engineered and sold in the UK as the Rover CityRover. This vehicle ceased production in April 2005 when MG Rover went bankrupt, and did not resume production when new owners Nanjing Automobile launched its own versions of the MG Rover range in 2007.

Contrary to popular belief, the car was not designed entirely in India. The outer body styling was done by an Italian design house called I.DE.A Institute, under contract from Tata Motors, with heavy interaction with Tata's in-house design team. The engine, however, was indigenous.

Cracking the global market

In early 2004, Tata Motors attempted to seize a piece of the lucrative South African automobile pie, by releasing the Telcoline 2x4 and 4x4 pickup trucks at prices far below the market average. In late 2004, Tata released its Indica and Indigo range, aimed at the young driver demographic or those looking for an affordable yet reliable car. As of mid-2005, Tata reported that they were 'one of the fastest growing automobile brands in South Africa'. The Indian car manufacturer now commands a respectable market share in South Africa.

Reviews

A varied number of professional test-drives and their subsequent write-ups have had a wide range of reviews, although almost all allow for the fact that whilst the 1.4 L 8-valve petrol engine of the Xeta/Turbo Diesel is quite powerful for the price, the fuel economy—coupled with an accessible retail price—sets this to be bottom-range economy family car with "excellent value for money".

Accessories and optional extras

Purchased new, the Indica offers a wide range of accessories and optional extras, including:

• Power steering
• HVAC - Heater, ventilation, and air conditioning
• Turbocharger intercooler
• Alloy wheels
• Power windows
• Choice of radials (JK, Bridgestone, Goodyear, MRF, Apollo)
• Central locking with remote key-less entry
• Ventilated disc brakes
• 4 spoke steering wheel
• Tinted windshields
• Powerful fog lamps
• Rear spoiler with integrated LED stop lamp
• Luxurious beige/black interiors
• Night adjust rear view mirror
• Chrome tip on silencer, chrome lining on grill and bonnet
• Audio warnings—driver/passenger seat belt warning, door open warning

Indica (1998 - 2001)

The Indica was first made in 1998.

Indica V2 (2001-present)

When first launched, the Indica prompted many complaints from early purchasers, who claimed that the vehicle did not deliver horsepower and gas mileage as promised. In response to the customer complaints, Tata Motors greatly re-engineered the internals of the car and launched it as Indica V2 (version 2), which solved most of the complaints and emerged as one of the most sought after cars in the Indian automobile industry. Later, it was again updated, now marketed as the "Refreshingly New Indica V2". This was followed by the next variant of Indica, current in early 2008, called the Indica V2 Xeta Petrol, which delivers of power at a fuel efficiency of 14 km/l (about 33 mpg U.S., fuel consumption of 7.1 L/100 km) under standard test conditions. In Indian city conditions, fuel economy can drop to about 10 km/l (about 23.5 mpg U.S., 10 L/100 km).

In India, three versions are available with different trim levels.

• Indica V2 — 1.4 L diesel (naturally aspirated engine in the DLE and DLS, turbocharged option in the DLS, turbocharged and intercooled DLG and DLX, DiCOR engine offered in the DLS and DLG)
• Indica V2 XETA — 1.2 L petrol (GL, GLE, GLS, GLG) and 1.4 L petrol (GLX)
• Indicab — 1.4 L naturally aspirated diesel (DL and DLE) A low price car with same framework but fewer features and luxuries, aimed at cab and contract transport business fleets. Very popular among transport business people.

DiCOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) diesel version of Indica V2 was launched in January 2008. It features 16 valves, double overhead camshafts, a variable geometry turbocharger and an intercooler.

A compressed natural gas (CNG) upgrade is offered as an option through OEM Bedini kits offered by Shrimanker Gas Services India on the Indica V2 XETA.

Faced with numerous CNG related complaints, TATA organised a systematic recall and retrofit of Bedini equipment which included a new improved Lamda sensor / electronic control unit, Bedini emulator and new wiring harness approved and tested by both TATA and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) from 28 May–31 May 2007. With the new system, TATA aims to improve gas delivery and performance.

In its home market, the Indica offers good interior capacity and competes with the Maruti Suzuki Swift, the Hyundai Santro and the Fiat Palio. There are two engines available — a 1.4 litre petrol and 1.4 litre 62/68 bhp turbo diesel.

The slightly higher-than-average net weight makes for a relatively comfortable ride compared to lighter cars. Fit and finish continue be criticised compared to offerings from Fiat and Maruti.

The Indica platform spawned a number of variants, including the Tata Indigo three-box saloon and the Indigo Marina estate.

Indica V3

The Indica V3 was unveiled at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi. The V3 is not a facelift of the Indica.It is built on a completely new platform and shares nothing with the existing Indica. This new version is bigger than the previous Indica, it is long with a wheelbase of . The V3 has two new engines, a 1.3 L Quadra Jet common rail direct injection diesel and a 1.2 L Safire MPFI VVT petrol engine. The Quadra Jet (Fiat JTD) is produced in Ranjangaon by the Tata-Fiat joint venture. The V3 will be launched officially later in 2008.

Indica Silhouette concept car

During India's 2006 Auto Expo in New Delhi, Tata unveiled the Indica Silhouette concept car, a radical, high-performance Indica featuring rear-wheel drive, extensive bodywork, and a 3.5 litre V6. The car is capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and maxes out at . The Silhouette is currently only a concept vehicle, and is obviously a far cry from the standard Indica.

References

External links

• Indica official website
• Tata Website South Africa
• Tata Indica V2 Cars India

The Tata Indica is a small hatchback automobile manufactured by Tata Motors of India. The model is also exported to Europe as well as retailing in South Africa from late 2004. In the UK a badge engineered version was imported by the MG Rover Group and sold as the Rover CityRover.

History

On 30 December 1998, Tata Motors (previously called TELCO) introduced the most modern car ever to be designed by an Indian company: the Indica. Marketed with slogans like "The Big... Small Car" and "More car per car," the ad campaign focused on roomy interiors and affordability. Within a week of its unveiling in 1999, the company received 115,000 bookings. In two years, the Indica became the number one car in its segment.

Partly designed and developed by Tata Motors, it is a five-door compact hatchback with a 1.4 L petrol/diesel engine designated as 475DL internally. This is a homegrown engine which is derived from the engine used by Tata in their line of pickups and SUVs earlier with a reduced stroke. The original engine was designated as 483DL which stood for 4 cylinder and 83 mm stroke.

The Indica offered options like air conditioning and electric windows, which were previously restricted to only upmarket imported cars in India. Three years later the Indica was exported to European markets for the first time, and from 2003 the Indica was badge engineered and sold in the UK as the Rover CityRover. This vehicle ceased production in April 2005 when MG Rover went bankrupt, and did not resume production when new owners Nanjing Automobile launched its own versions of the MG Rover range in 2007.

Contrary to popular belief, the car was not designed entirely in India. The outer body styling was done by an Italian design house called I.DE.A Institute, under contract from Tata Motors, with heavy interaction with Tata's in-house design team. The engine, however, was indigenous.

Cracking the global market

In early 2004, Tata Motors attempted to seize a piece of the lucrative South African automobile pie, by releasing the Telcoline 2x4 and 4x4 pickup trucks at prices far below the market average. In late 2004, Tata released its Indica and Indigo range, aimed at the young driver demographic or those looking for an affordable yet reliable car. As of mid-2005, Tata reported that they were 'one of the fastest growing automobile brands in South Africa'. The Indian car manufacturer now commands a respectable market share in South Africa.

Reviews

A varied number of professional test-drives and their subsequent write-ups have had a wide range of reviews, although almost all allow for the fact that whilst the 1.4 L 8-valve petrol engine of the Xeta/Turbo Diesel is quite powerful for the price, the fuel economy—coupled with an accessible retail price—sets this to be bottom-range economy family car with "excellent value for money".

Accessories and optional extras

Purchased new, the Indica offers a wide range of accessories and optional extras, including:

• Power steering
• HVAC - Heater, ventilation, and air conditioning
• Turbocharger intercooler
• Alloy wheels
• Power windows
• Choice of radials (JK, Bridgestone, Goodyear, MRF, Apollo)
• Central locking with remote key-less entry
• Ventilated disc brakes
• 4 spoke steering wheel
• Tinted windshields
• Powerful fog lamps
• Rear spoiler with integrated LED stop lamp
• Luxurious beige/black interiors
• Night adjust rear view mirror
• Chrome tip on silencer, chrome lining on grill and bonnet
• Audio warnings—driver/passenger seat belt warning, door open warning

Indica (1998 - 2001)

The Indica was first made in 1998.

Indica V2 (2001-present)

When first launched, the Indica prompted many complaints from early purchasers, who claimed that the vehicle did not deliver horsepower and gas mileage as promised. In response to the customer complaints, Tata Motors greatly re-engineered the internals of the car and launched it as Indica V2 (version 2), which solved most of the complaints and emerged as one of the most sought after cars in the Indian automobile industry. Later, it was again updated, now marketed as the "Refreshingly New Indica V2". This was followed by the next variant of Indica, current in early 2008, called the Indica V2 Xeta Petrol, which delivers of power at a fuel efficiency of 14 km/l (about 33 mpg U.S., fuel consumption of 7.1 L/100 km) under standard test conditions. In Indian city conditions, fuel economy can drop to about 10 km/l (about 23.5 mpg U.S., 10 L/100 km).

In India, three versions are available with different trim levels.

• Indica V2 — 1.4 L diesel (naturally aspirated engine in the DLE and DLS, turbocharged option in the DLS, turbocharged and intercooled DLG and DLX, DiCOR engine offered in the DLS and DLG)
• Indica V2 XETA — 1.2 L petrol (GL, GLE, GLS, GLG) and 1.4 L petrol (GLX)
• Indicab — 1.4 L naturally aspirated diesel (DL and DLE) A low price car with same framework but fewer features and luxuries, aimed at cab and contract transport business fleets. Very popular among transport business people.

DiCOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) diesel version of Indica V2 was launched in January 2008. It features 16 valves, double overhead camshafts, a variable geometry turbocharger and an intercooler.

A compressed natural gas (CNG) upgrade is offered as an option through OEM Bedini kits offered by Shrimanker Gas Services India on the Indica V2 XETA.

Faced with numerous CNG related complaints, TATA organised a systematic recall and retrofit of Bedini equipment which included a new improved Lamda sensor / electronic control unit, Bedini emulator and new wiring harness approved and tested by both TATA and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) from 28 May–31 May 2007. With the new system, TATA aims to improve gas delivery and performance.

In its home market, the Indica offers good interior capacity and competes with the Maruti Suzuki Swift, the Hyundai Santro and the Fiat Palio. There are two engines available — a 1.4 litre petrol and 1.4 litre 62/68 bhp turbo diesel.

The slightly higher-than-average net weight makes for a relatively comfortable ride compared to lighter cars. Fit and finish continue be criticised compared to offerings from Fiat and Maruti.

The Indica platform spawned a number of variants, including the Tata Indigo three-box saloon and the Indigo Marina estate.

Indica V3

The Indica V3 was unveiled at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi. The V3 is not a facelift of the Indica.It is built on a completely new platform and shares nothing with the existing Indica. This new version is bigger than the previous Indica, it is long with a wheelbase of . The V3 has two new engines, a 1.3 L Quadra Jet common rail direct injection diesel and a 1.2 L Safire MPFI VVT petrol engine. The Quadra Jet (Fiat JTD) is produced in Ranjangaon by the Tata-Fiat joint venture. The V3 will be launched officially later in 2008.

Indica Silhouette concept car

During India's 2006 Auto Expo in New Delhi, Tata unveiled the Indica Silhouette concept car, a radical, high-performance Indica featuring rear-wheel drive, extensive bodywork, and a 3.5 litre V6. The car is capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and maxes out at . The Silhouette is currently only a concept vehicle, and is obviously a far cry from the standard Indica.

References

External links

• Indica official website
• Tata Website South Africa
• Tata Indica V2 Cars India