Editor Review

More than meets the eye

Colors

  

Dashboard

  

Exterior

  

Interior

  

Other

  

Overview

Tata Indica, when launched 10 years ago, was the first “true” Indian hatch. It has come a long way since but the recent auto expo showed us a new version, not just mere face lifts but more powerful engines, bigger, better interiors and improved quality.

First launched in 1998, the Indica model has achieved leadership in its class and became the second largest selling model in the segment this year, notching up a sale of 144,690 units in 2007-2008. So far, 1.12 million Indica cars have rolled out.

Vista is Tata Motor’s first all new passenger car platform after the original Indica platform which spawned a whole gamut of vehicles including the Indigo and Indigo XL Sedan, Indigo Marina the station wagon and most recently the Indigo CS.

Design

Indica Vista sports dynamic and flowing lines which distinguishes it from the previous generation Indica. Except for the name and the layout everything seems different. If the new sweeping headlamp cluster fails to catch your attention, then the chrome handles is sure to catch everyone’s eye.

Tata has intentionally retained the family look and the new Indica vista is a clear evolution of the Indica. A new central character line on the bonnet gives character to the car. The all new grille with a new striking pedal shaped headlamps gives the indica vista a more upmarket look.

As most of you may remember, Tata unveiled the new Indica during the Auto Expo earlier this year. It looks like a grown up and better looking Indica. This now looks like a proper supermini. The winged shape headlight cluster looks striking and the crease on the bonnet gives it a unique identity. The side profile is more rounded than before but the core DNA of the original Indica remains.

There is not much change in side and rear profile of the car. The top end variant Indica vista aura gets a big wheels and body colored handles.However the full length pillar mounted tail lamp is an eyesore. But more than the exteriors, the interiors of new Indica Vista will be more exciting.

The most prominent features of Indica Vista are:

1) Swept back headlamp cluster.
2) Full length tail lamp cluster, making the car overall sleeker and smoother.
3) Centrally mounted instrument cluster like in Chevrolet Spark.
4) All new bumbers.
5) Space for double size music system.
6) Perfect thigh support and the cabin feels as good as Honda Cars.

Tata Indica Vista Limited Edition - Tata Motors is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Indica Vista , the vehicle that marked the company’s foray into car manufacturing (apart from the erstwhile Tata Estate of the mid-1990s), and which remains one of its most successful vehicles ever.

To mark the occasion, Tata Motors has launched the 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Indica Vista, which comes in an exclusive colour combination - porcelain white bodywork with a black roof.

The car also features new alloy wheels, a gold painted front grille, 10th anniversary emblems and mascots and a specially designed number plate. Inside, the limited edition Indica Vista has a new music system, new seat fabrics and various other detail changes.

With around 940,000 units of the Indica having been produced over the last 10 years, the car remains a bestseller for Tata Motors. The 10th Anniversary Quadrajet Diesel Indica Vista is priced at Rs 504,045 (ex-showroom Delhi), while the 10th Anniversary Safire Petrol Indica Vista is priced at Rs 415,263 (ex-showroom Delhi).

Interiors

Inside, the Indica Vista offers a much improved experience to the driver. It is more spacious, and the Vista is bit wider and longer than the last-generation Indica.

Adjustable driver seat and steering wheel, better door handles and a centrally mounted speedo are the most noticeable changes. The Tata Indica was already quite spacious, and now the wheelbase has increased by 70 mm and the car is longer by 120 mm.

The ergonomic seating position, distinctive centrally mounted instrument panel, comfortable seats, generous space and more importantly the quality buttons, fit and finish will convey the Indian customers that Tata Motors has come of age.

Tata has been fine tuning the car for a longer time to upgrade its quality and thereby to give the car an upmarket feel. Indica vista will also come with host of special features. The exterior features includes fog lamps and rear wiper.

Similar to any other Tata products, the Indica vista comes with host of comfort features and minimal safety features. An integrated CD player is surely likeable feature and is increasing finds a place in entry level cars. The Indica vista gets a 2-DIN integrated CD player with USB port and remote control.

Other comfort and luxury features includes front fog lamps, rear fog lamps, body coloured bumpers & door handles, de-mister, rear wipers, power windows for all doors, dual tone dashboard, Tachometer, height adjustable driver seat, lumbar adjustable front seats & 60:40 flodable rear seats.

Engines

For the first time, the car will feature engines from partner Fiat. A new 1.2-litre petrol engine called Saffire and the 1.3-litre common-rail diesel called Quadrajet will be part of the lineup, apart from Tata’s own 1.4-litre turbo diesel engine.

The petrol version of the Indica Vista is seriously underpowered, we think. It is not a light car, and a 65 bhp petrol engine is not the way to go here.

The Quadrajet is also called the multijet and is also being produced by Maruti Suzuki Powertrain for the Swift and Swift Dzire models.

The engines along with the cars will be assembled at Tata-Fiat’s Ranjangaon facility that boasts of an annual production capacity of 200,000 cars and 300,000 engines. A total investment of Rs 4,020 crore is being made by the 50:50 combine in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra.

Safety

On safety front it is a major disappointment that neither ABS or airbags are offered in the Indica Vista. Considering the traffic situation on our roads and lawlessness, this is a major sin in my opinion.

There are Indica models already offering airbags and ABS, so it reflects badly on Tata to offer a newer, better and more sophisticaled version in the Vista without them.

The Swift finally has some competition and good one at that. Tata has learnt a lot over the years with their original Indica and it shows. The Vista is not just a good improvement, it is actually a good car.

The Vista does everything the Swift does and is better in some areas particularly the space department. You get more kit as well and at a price lower than the Swift.

The car comes with a segment best 24 months (75,000 km) warranty and will be available in a range of seven colours in seven variants priced at Rs.3,53,000 (ex-showroom Mumbai) for the 1.2L petrol Safire at the low end, going up to Rs.4,99,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the top end 1.3L Quadrajet.

Click here for comparison of Tata Indica Vista Variants

The existing Tata Indica will continue to exist with a rationalized portfolio - the lower versions of the 1.2L Xeta and the 1.4L naturally aspirated TDi diesel and one version each of the DICOR and TCIC diesel, the latter being available with ABS and Airbags. Between the existing Indica V2 and the new Indica Vista range, customers will have a choice at every step of the Rs.2,60,000- 4,99,000 price range.

Engine options in Indica Vista:

• 1172cc Petrol - Max Power: 65bhp - Max Torque: 96Nm
• 1248cc Diesel - Max Power: 75bhp - Max Torque: 190Nm
• 1405cc Diesel - Max Power: 71bhp - Max Torque: 135Nm

Tata Indica Vista Variants:

1) Terra - Available in 1.2 Safire Petrol & 1.4 TDi.
2) Aqua - Available in 1.2 Safire Petrol, 1.4 TDi & 1.3 Quadrajet.
3) Aura - Available in 1.2 Safire Petrol &1.3 Quadrajet.

TV Commercial of Indica Vista:

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