Tata Motors has just announced the launch of the new Indica Vista D90. And, courtesy the good folks at BlogAdda, I was given a chance to spend three days driving one.
Now, let me confess that I'm not a car buff. I'm not going to be writing about engine displacement or power output or any of those things. What I will be writing about is the experience of driving this car, and the features it offers.
At first glance, the Vista D90 looks bigger than any previous variant of the Indica. The nose has been elongated. The back has been restyled. It looks taller and wider, more sedan than hatchback. Tata Motors has thrown in a contrasting black roof, which makes the car look really smart. Not quite Mini Cooper, but a step up, anyway. They've added chrome to the body, and redesigned the grill, making the car look really modern.
The interiors are decent. Predominantly beige, with a black leather texture running across the dashboard.
After spending three days driving the car, I believe that Tata Motors has designed this car really thoughtfully. Here's how.
The Vista D90 now has larger, more powerful headlamps. These are "follow me home" headlights, which stay on for about 60 seconds after you've parked, showing you the way to your home in the dark.
They've thrown in an intelligent rear wiper. If your front wipers are on, and you decide to reverse, the rear wiper will come on too. An excellent monsoon feature.
The top-end model, the ZX, has dual airbags. It also features a height-adjustable driver's seat and a tilt-adjustable steering. The driver's seat also has a lumbar support lever, which basically extrudes a little cushion for your lower back. It makes for a very comfortable drive.
Electronically-adjustable outside rear-view mirrors. Four power windows. And an absolutely brilliant, Bluetooth-integrated sound system that lets you answer calls through buttons mounted on the steering wheel. These are sedan features Tata Motors have bundled into this hatchback.
Other thoughtful features: a mobile charging outlet at the front and at the back. An electronic dashboard showing you the fuel remaining and distance you can cover with it.
Now on to the drive.
In one word - superb.
I own a Chevrolet Spark - a car that's very light to drive and very peppy too. Getting used to the Vista D90 was an absolute breeze.
The steering is light and responsive. The car doesn't feel heavy - it feels stable and light to handle. The ride quality is excellent, the suspension is really smooth and makes Bombay roads seem better than they are.
What blew me away was the throttle. The 90PS Quadrajet engine delivered on performance big time. It gets you from 0-100 in about 15 seconds. And, even when you're barreling down the Sea Link at 80, it takes you up past 100 without breaking a sweat. It's aggressive and responsive, and gives you the feeling that there's still a lot of power to come.
I had three negatives, and all were minor. I felt the control buttons, especially for the ORVMs, were a bit plasticky. There was very little door storage, and no space for water bottles. Lastly, the glove compartment was so low, it kept hitting the passenger's knee.
To sum up my review: the Indica Vista D90 is a huge step up from what the Indica used to be. Thoughtfully designed, great VFM, and the feeling of a big car ride in a small car body. Definitely worth a test drive if you're planning to buy a car soon.
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maybe 1 millions times ? Why you want to open a can of worms again ? ![[anger]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Anger.gif "Anger [anger]")