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#1
Dear All,
Today I got an opportunity to Test drive all new Tata Zest. Tata Motors was doing a roadshow at our office premises yesterday and today.
Link - http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...zest-compact-sedan-coverage-page-10-a-40.html
Post # 600
In display was a Blue Zest Revotron XT model which is the highest version. For test drive a Blue Zest Quadrajet XT model (MT) and a Red Zest Revotron XT model (MT) were available. According to Tata Motor's officials at the venue, the AMT version will be launched in phase two which should be in late August 2014. No AMT version was available for test drive. The phase one launch is stipulated on 7th Aug 2014 when prices and variants will be disclosed. Even the Fuel Efficiency (official) figures are still not disclosed which will be done simultaneously. Sources indicated the prices will be notch above Maruti Swift Dzire , which is the primary competitor.
Tata Motors is pitching Zest against three hot selling mini-sedans in India, Maruti Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze and Hyundai Xcent. Though they have a tough battle at hand but it seems they are well prepared this time. The segment is very much price sensitive where Dzire is the segment leader due to the price it commands and Maruti's after sales and service spread.
Exterior Design and Looks -
I'll cut straight to the chase - it's rather pleasant.
In the sub 4-metre sedan segment, Tata has actually pulled off the best job in the business of looking good. The design is of course based on erstwhile Vista/Manza and you can see the lines still. But its surely refreshing and eye catching. While we were on the drive people were indeed were giving a second look. The paint job is top class and curves are at correct places. The DRLs rather small but quite jazzy during daytime.
Interior Design -
The interior design is all new specially the dash board. The dials also look very classy. The front seats are bucket type and resembles that of Manza. I will just say two things - it definitely feels a lot more upmarket than any Tata product before this and the quality has gone up quite a few notches. The dual-tone colour scheme works well and though I'd have loved to see soft-touch materials. The interior feels like any C2 or D segment European Sedan. The three spoke sporty steering wheel is very nicely designed with complete audio and other controls. The rear leg space is almost same as Vista which is slightly lower than Manza. The version on display did not have any center armrest in the back seat, seems Tata Motors has removed due to customer feedback. Boot space is quite decent and can gulp two large suitcases and two or three medium to large bags , enough for a family trip.
Engine and Ride Quality -
Now lets come to the main point - performance and dynamics. The diesel engine - all 1.3-litres worth of it - is the same Fiat-sourced unit that serves its purpose in a
range of other cars across this segment. In the Zest, it produces 89bhp and 200Nm. Diesel(MT) driving dynamics is same as Manza as I am very familiar with it, it did not feel much difference. But remarkably the NVH levels have been reduced a lot. Turbo lag also have been reduced may be due to lesser Gross Weight than Manza. The diesel (MT) version was showing a FE figure of 14 kmpl on the DIS during our short drive.
The 1.2-litre 'Revotron' petrol engine,is a 89bhp, 140Nm work unit and, quite like in the diesel, the torque is said to be produced between 1,750-3,000rpm. I can
comment only one thing about this engine its "Swifter" than "Swift". The engine is absolutely soundless (remember the old Tata Xeta engines?). The Petrol version can be run on 3 Modes City, Eco and Sports. I did not get any chance to run in Sports mode but other two were quite impressive. The petrol motor returned an FE of 9 kmpl on the DIS on our combined City and Eco modes. You can switch modes by just clicking buttons in the dash.
Gearshift for both the motors were quite easy unlike older Tata cars. The suspension has been tuned further and it absorbs the potholes and uneven road surfaces nicely. The ground clearance also stands higher at 175 mm hence it did not bottom out in high humps where my Manza tends to touch.
Zest comes with Electric Power Steering (EPS) which is the same technology used in Tata Nano Twist.
Comfort and Convenience -
The cabin gets a new-age infotainment system that has been developed by - low and behold - Harman Kardon! The top-end trims get a 5-inch touch screen panel that controls the audio system and AC. The touch sensitivity of same I found better than Caska audio systems. The system runs also on voice command and it can match with almost all Indian accent. The AC can directly be controlled by the touch screen system.Also it works for display for parking sensors and has inbuilt navigation supported by MapMyIndia. Its a segment first to provide such a high quality audio system in a sub 4M car.It supports SD card as well as USB drives and Aux in. The sound quality is also simply superb as the system is supported by 4 Harmon Kardon speakers and another 4 Harmon Kardon tweeters. However the rear parcel tray does not have any provision to fit any speakers. So for lower models it can be a disadvantage. The AC works simply like a charm. Though there is no rear AC vent passengers at back seat never complained discomfort. Zest comes with Keyless entry but no Start/Stop button for ignition. Note like Vista and Manza only 1 key comes with FOB/Remote.
Safety and Security -
The top end trim comes with dual Airbags and ABS with EBD as standard. Park assist sensors are also standard. Also I liked the defogger design which is like SUVs (not the straight lines we get on most of the sedans)
Specifications -
Tata Zest (1.2-litre Revotron Petrol)
Engine: 1.2-litre, 89bhp, 140Nm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Length x Width x Height (in mm): 3,995 x 1,695 x 1,570
Kerb weight: 1,106 Kg
Brakes (Front/Rear): Disc / Drum
Fuel Tank Capacity : 44 Liters
Tata Zest (1.3-litre diesel)
Engine: 1.3-litre, 89bhp, 200Nm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual / AMT
Length x Width x Height (in mm): 3,995 x 1,695 x 1,570
Kerb weight: 1,106 Kg
Brakes (Front/Rear): Disc / Drum
Fuel Tank Capacity : 44 Liters
Overall Impression -
I think Tata Motors have got it right this time. And also launching the Zest ahead of Bolt is a good strategy and is generating lot of excitement in the market. The
key thing is price, which if done correctly it should snatch some sales figures from Dzire, Amaze and Xcent.
I took some pictures at the venue, please feel free to ask any questions.
Cheers,
Anshuman
Today I got an opportunity to Test drive all new Tata Zest. Tata Motors was doing a roadshow at our office premises yesterday and today.
Link - http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...zest-compact-sedan-coverage-page-10-a-40.html
Post # 600
In display was a Blue Zest Revotron XT model which is the highest version. For test drive a Blue Zest Quadrajet XT model (MT) and a Red Zest Revotron XT model (MT) were available. According to Tata Motor's officials at the venue, the AMT version will be launched in phase two which should be in late August 2014. No AMT version was available for test drive. The phase one launch is stipulated on 7th Aug 2014 when prices and variants will be disclosed. Even the Fuel Efficiency (official) figures are still not disclosed which will be done simultaneously. Sources indicated the prices will be notch above Maruti Swift Dzire , which is the primary competitor.
Tata Motors is pitching Zest against three hot selling mini-sedans in India, Maruti Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze and Hyundai Xcent. Though they have a tough battle at hand but it seems they are well prepared this time. The segment is very much price sensitive where Dzire is the segment leader due to the price it commands and Maruti's after sales and service spread.
Exterior Design and Looks -
I'll cut straight to the chase - it's rather pleasant.
In the sub 4-metre sedan segment, Tata has actually pulled off the best job in the business of looking good. The design is of course based on erstwhile Vista/Manza and you can see the lines still. But its surely refreshing and eye catching. While we were on the drive people were indeed were giving a second look. The paint job is top class and curves are at correct places. The DRLs rather small but quite jazzy during daytime.
Interior Design -
The interior design is all new specially the dash board. The dials also look very classy. The front seats are bucket type and resembles that of Manza. I will just say two things - it definitely feels a lot more upmarket than any Tata product before this and the quality has gone up quite a few notches. The dual-tone colour scheme works well and though I'd have loved to see soft-touch materials. The interior feels like any C2 or D segment European Sedan. The three spoke sporty steering wheel is very nicely designed with complete audio and other controls. The rear leg space is almost same as Vista which is slightly lower than Manza. The version on display did not have any center armrest in the back seat, seems Tata Motors has removed due to customer feedback. Boot space is quite decent and can gulp two large suitcases and two or three medium to large bags , enough for a family trip.
Engine and Ride Quality -
Now lets come to the main point - performance and dynamics. The diesel engine - all 1.3-litres worth of it - is the same Fiat-sourced unit that serves its purpose in a
range of other cars across this segment. In the Zest, it produces 89bhp and 200Nm. Diesel(MT) driving dynamics is same as Manza as I am very familiar with it, it did not feel much difference. But remarkably the NVH levels have been reduced a lot. Turbo lag also have been reduced may be due to lesser Gross Weight than Manza. The diesel (MT) version was showing a FE figure of 14 kmpl on the DIS during our short drive.
The 1.2-litre 'Revotron' petrol engine,is a 89bhp, 140Nm work unit and, quite like in the diesel, the torque is said to be produced between 1,750-3,000rpm. I can
comment only one thing about this engine its "Swifter" than "Swift". The engine is absolutely soundless (remember the old Tata Xeta engines?). The Petrol version can be run on 3 Modes City, Eco and Sports. I did not get any chance to run in Sports mode but other two were quite impressive. The petrol motor returned an FE of 9 kmpl on the DIS on our combined City and Eco modes. You can switch modes by just clicking buttons in the dash.
Gearshift for both the motors were quite easy unlike older Tata cars. The suspension has been tuned further and it absorbs the potholes and uneven road surfaces nicely. The ground clearance also stands higher at 175 mm hence it did not bottom out in high humps where my Manza tends to touch.
Zest comes with Electric Power Steering (EPS) which is the same technology used in Tata Nano Twist.
Comfort and Convenience -
The cabin gets a new-age infotainment system that has been developed by - low and behold - Harman Kardon! The top-end trims get a 5-inch touch screen panel that controls the audio system and AC. The touch sensitivity of same I found better than Caska audio systems. The system runs also on voice command and it can match with almost all Indian accent. The AC can directly be controlled by the touch screen system.Also it works for display for parking sensors and has inbuilt navigation supported by MapMyIndia. Its a segment first to provide such a high quality audio system in a sub 4M car.It supports SD card as well as USB drives and Aux in. The sound quality is also simply superb as the system is supported by 4 Harmon Kardon speakers and another 4 Harmon Kardon tweeters. However the rear parcel tray does not have any provision to fit any speakers. So for lower models it can be a disadvantage. The AC works simply like a charm. Though there is no rear AC vent passengers at back seat never complained discomfort. Zest comes with Keyless entry but no Start/Stop button for ignition. Note like Vista and Manza only 1 key comes with FOB/Remote.
Safety and Security -
The top end trim comes with dual Airbags and ABS with EBD as standard. Park assist sensors are also standard. Also I liked the defogger design which is like SUVs (not the straight lines we get on most of the sedans)
Specifications -
Tata Zest (1.2-litre Revotron Petrol)
Engine: 1.2-litre, 89bhp, 140Nm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Length x Width x Height (in mm): 3,995 x 1,695 x 1,570
Kerb weight: 1,106 Kg
Brakes (Front/Rear): Disc / Drum
Fuel Tank Capacity : 44 Liters
Tata Zest (1.3-litre diesel)
Engine: 1.3-litre, 89bhp, 200Nm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual / AMT
Length x Width x Height (in mm): 3,995 x 1,695 x 1,570
Kerb weight: 1,106 Kg
Brakes (Front/Rear): Disc / Drum
Fuel Tank Capacity : 44 Liters
Overall Impression -
I think Tata Motors have got it right this time. And also launching the Zest ahead of Bolt is a good strategy and is generating lot of excitement in the market. The
key thing is price, which if done correctly it should snatch some sales figures from Dzire, Amaze and Xcent.
I took some pictures at the venue, please feel free to ask any questions.
Cheers,
Anshuman
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