At the Delhi Auto Expo, Tata Motors gave us a sneak peek of their plans for the Harrier SUV series, and it all centres around engine choices. They showcased two types of engines, one that runs on electricity (electric) and one that runs on gasoline (petrol). This unveiling was significant because Tata revealed their intention to bring the electric version of the Harrier to the market before the petrol version.
Electric Harrier Takes the Lead
Tata Motors is prioritizing the launch of the electric Harrier. This means that customers who prefer an electric vehicle (EV) will have the opportunity to purchase an electric Harrier before a petrol-driven Harrier becomes available.
Challenges in Developing the Petrol Engine
The development of the 1.5-litre TGDi petrol engine has faced some hurdles. This engine has been under development by Tata for some time, but it is taking longer than anticipated. Shailesh Chandra, who manages Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, mentioned that the petrol engine is still "slightly far away" with an estimated timeline of more than a year.
Tata's Motivation for the Petrol Engine
Tata Motors is well aware of the growing demand for cars that run on petrol. They admit that a lot of clients still favour gasoline-powered cars. Shailesh Chandra emphasised that "Petrol volumes are going to grow, and we must enter the petrol segment." This tactical choice is in line with Tata's objective to provide a wide variety of vehicles to accommodate various consumer preferences.
Beyond Harrier: Petrol-Powered SUVs
While Tata is focusing on the electric Harrier, they are also committed to expanding their petrol-powered lineup. Once the 1.5-litre TGDi petrol engine is ready, it won't be limited to just the Harrier. Along with the Harrier and Safari, Tata Motors intends to employ this engine in a number of SUV models, including the Curvv and Sierra. Customers will now have additional choices from the Tata portfolio, pleasing fans of both petrol and electric vehicles.
In-Depth Explanation
Tata Motors is preparing to launch an electric version of the Harrier SUV before introducing its petrol counterpart. This choice is a big deal because it tells us that Tata is focused on electric cars, and they are ready to adapt to what people want in the car world. While the electric Harrier takes the lead in Tata's lineup, the petrol version is still a work in progress. The 1.5-litre TGDi petrol engine has presented its share of challenges during development. This delay has led Tata to anticipate a timeline of more than a year before the petrol-powered Harrier is ready for the market. It is important to recognise that such delays may occur due to the complexity of building new engines.
Tata's development of a petrol engine is primarily motivated by its appraisal of the continuing demand for automobiles with petrol engines. Tata Motors intends to serve this sizable market sector that still includes many people worldwide who prefer conventional petrol-powered vehicles. Beyond the Harrier, Tata is committed to growing their selection of gasoline-powered vehicles. Once the 1.5-litre TGDi petrol engine is successfully developed, it won't be confined solely to the Harrier. Tata Motors plans to put this engine not only in the Harrier but in other SUVs like the Curvv and Sierra too. They hope to give consumers who prefer electric or gasoline-powered vehicles a variety of options in this way.
Tata Motors launching the electric Harrier before the gas one is a big move in the car world. It tells us they're serious about electric cars but also know that lots of people still like gasoline cars. Tata Motors wants to provide a wider variety of options to accommodate the wide range of consumer preferences, thus they are increasing their gasoline-powered lineup.