Tata Motors has sauntered a new chapter in the Indian compact sedan saga with the launch of the Tata Aeris in India. Unveiled on the 25th of September, the new sedan is priced at an introductory price of 5.29 lakh ex-showroom and looks to replace the Tigor. Featuring a contemporary design, new cabin and petrol and iCNG family choices for powertrain is targeted at private buyers who want an inexpensive family car packed to the gills with features.
Aperiod when Indian consumers are searching for a car that integrates ease of use with the latest novelties, the Aeris is born. The new sedan will be directed only to individual consumers, not to fleets, as Tata plans to preserve the Xpres-T line aimed at fleet sales. The new model will that means have a more personal and lifestyle feel.
Pricing wise, the Smart Petrol variants with manual start at Rs. 5.29 lakh and the iCNG starting at Rs. 6.29 lakh. The Aeris Accomplished variants are available at the company list prices of Rs. 8.19 lakh for petrol manual, Rs. 8.74 lakh for petrol AMT, Rs. 9.19 lakh for CNG manual and Rs. 9.74 lakh for CNG AMT, ex-showroom India.
Underneath, the Aeris is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated Revotron petrol engine. It produces 86hp and 113Nm of torque in petrol form and is mated to a five-speed manual or AMT (automated manual transmission). The CNG-powered iCNG makes 76hp and 97Nm, and is offered with the choice of a five-speed manual or AMT. The option of an AMT with the CNG version is another benefit for the buyer, in city driving conditions.
Tata also Yes fronts up the Aeris with a taintly updated face. The Mini-MPV, Supermini hybrid uses lowerprofile LED lamps, a new front bumper, a gloss-black grille, and join it up LED tail-lamps all around. The Aeris is maxed out with 14- or 15-inch wheels, yet its form isa traditional small-sedan with realistic proportions once it’s under four meters long. The Aeris has a length of 3,995mm and has a luggage compartment capacity of 419 liters in its petrol version.
Things get more significant on the inside. The cabin will feature a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, semi-digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, auto climate control, rear AC vents and ventilated front seats on higher trims. There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as the sedan comes with a more comprehensive tech suite than the outgoing model.
The Aeris package also includes a host of safety features. Six standard airbags, electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, hill-hold help, ISOFIX mounts and a tyre-pressure monitoring system are among the included safety features. Some higher models also get a 360-degree camera and a blind-view monitoring system. The iCNG models also get extra safety systems specific to the CNG fuel system.
The Tata Aeris will go up against strong, proven competitors in the competitive compact sedan segment including the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura and Honda Amaze. By targeting private buyers, Tata has a slightly different positioning of the Aeris in trying to lure families and customers upgrading from smaller hatchbacks.