Tata Benchmarks Altroz Against The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS

Three test mules of Tata’s upcoming premium hatchback were spotted alongside the turbo-petrol-powered Maruti

• Altroz spied during high-altitude testing ahead of mid-2019 launch, possibly in June.

• Convoy included a Maruti Baleno RS, likely as a benchmark vehicle for testing.

• Altroz will offer a turbo-petrol, 3-cylinder engine, similar to the Baleno RS.

• Tata Altroz to launch with three powertrain options - two petrol, one diesel.

• All engines likely to be BS 4 compliant only at the time of launch.

• Likely to be priced in the range of Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 8.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

• Will rival the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20, Honda Jazz and VW Polo.

A trio of Tata Altroz premium hatchbacks were spotted in camouflage on their way towards high altitude testing in the northern part of the country. With them was a Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS, which appears to be one of the benchmarks for the Altroz. Tata’s first ever premium hatchback is expected to launch in mid-2019, possibly next month.

The Altroz is the production-spec version of the 45X Concept that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. It was unveiled at the 2019 Geneva motor show but it’s yet to be seen in its road-ready India-spec. However, the Altroz was recently spotted in its production-ready avatar as well.

According to the source, the three Altroz were spied on the Kullu-Manali highway, which could mean that the cars were on route to Leh for some high altitude testing. Alongside the three Altroz’ was a Baleno RS, possibly a benchmark vehicle for the ongoing testing.

The RS is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that makes 102PS and 150Nm, mated to a 5-speed manual. Meanwhile, the Altroz will be offered with three powertrains, one of which will be a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual. The Geneva-spec Altroz had a rating of 102PS and 140Nm. These figures position the Altroz as a direct rival to the Baleno RS.

Besides the 1.2-litre turbo petrol, the other powertrains options include a naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine (likely to be offered in the same state of tune as the Tiago) and probably Tata’s 1.5-litre diesel engine from the Nexon. Both engines are likely to get both manual and AMT options. In the Tiago, the 1.2-litre petrol unit makes 85PS and 114Nm with both a 5-speed MT and 5-speed AMT. At the time of launch, the Tata Altroz’s engine lineup will most likely be BS 4-compliant only. But they should be upgraded before April 2020, which is when new BS 6 norms come into effect.

At an expected price range of Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 8.5 lakh, the Altroz will take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20, Honda Jazz and Volkswagen Polo. Of these rivals, only the Baleno is available with BS 6 petrol engines and will be discontinuing the diesel variants soon.

Source