Tata Motors betting high on diesel automatic transmissions

“You only fall to rise”, seems true for Tata Motors; from not so good last year to a terrific start in 2014, the Indian manufacturer is on a high note this time. Last month the company premiered their two revolutionary products Zest (compact sedan) and Bolt (B+ hatchback). The vehicles were designed keeping global standards in mind at the Tata's European designing studio and shows a leap forward in design. The focal point lies in the fact that the Zest will be the first diesel powered sedan to be equipped with Automatic Manual Transmission – 'F-Tronic'. The company is playing high on automatic transmission this time with Nano 'F-Tronic' next in the pipeline; as we can see automatics are gaining acceptance in India!

The late Karl Slym, ex Tata MD, gave the company a vision 'HORIZONEXT' which lead the revolutionizing of the product lineup, the best examples are the Zest and Bolt plus the Nexon crossover compact SUV. Karl Slym was the man behind Tata's comeback with a vengeance on leading segments currently – compact sedan and compact SUV space. With the sedan and hatchback duo, the company also debuted their design language 'DESIGNEXT' – which is very much a trendsetter thing by manufacturers nowadays. Other product which saw revamp in the 'HORIZONEXT' strategy include Nano Twist, Sumo Gold, Indigo eCS, Indica eV2. Karl Slym left a legacy which the company will follow.

Lets clear the air off the Automatic Manual Transmission (Tata's F-Tronic) which probably seems to be a very nascent thought in a layman's mind. The Zest's powertrain which incorporate the Automatic Manual Transmission has electronic-hydraulic actuators which takes the role of the mechanical clutch, thus you only have two pedal in the foot well just like a conventional automatic. Gear shifting is brain controlled by a dedicated ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for perfect shifts and optimum efficiency. The automatic has three modes 'A' , 'R (reverse)' and 'N (Neutral)'.

The best part of this gearbox is that you can also use this as a manual one, thriving the best possible output from each gear till the red line. To engage the gearbox in 'M' mode one need to flick the gearbox to left side with 'M' indication. For the up-shift you need to nudge it a little upside with '+' indication and for down-shift you need to nudge the level a lil' down with '-' indication. This is somewhat similar to the paddle shifters on the steering wheels in high end cars.

Both the vehicle will be powered by the Tata's new turbocharged petrol powerplant - Revotron 1.2 litre. The engine churns out a decent 84bhp plus an impressive torque figure of 140Nm which starts pulling from 1750rpm. Both the vehicle will sport first in the class sports mode, once pressed will change the ECU mapping for a 'sports oriented performance'. Though the power figure is at par with some of the naturally aspirated ones in the segment, its the torque that's playing the game. The diesel is the same Fiat derived MJD with new ECU mapping for better low end grunt. MJD is in fixed geometry turbo state 75Ps in Bolt while Zest enjoys the variable geometry turbo unit 90Ps one. Both the cars are expected to hit the market in the second half of 2014, probably the sedan will enter around the festive season.

Tata made world debut of the Nexon Compact Crossover SUV at the recently concluded 12th Indian Auto Expo, last month. The EcoSport slayer is expected to enter production probably before 2016 and will rival against the ever expanding compact SUV arena. The concept version showcases dual body tone color with coupe like declining roofline and beefy looks like prominent wheel arches, extended grille and swept back headlamps courtesy - 'DESIGNEXT'. The company said that the onlookers appreciated the look of the SUV and the production version will inherit most of the design clues. The concept car boosts 3 pot turbocharged Revotron Petrol unit mustering 110 PS and 170 Nm of max torque mated to a five speed automatic transmission. If the production version is launched with the automatic and priced right, this will surely give some manufacturer a run for their money. The quality and fit & finish will probably be good as seen on the Zest and Bolt.

The Indian manufacturer also displayed the Nano with 'F-Tronic' Automatic Manual Transmission, ditching the diesel powered Nano, that everybody expected. It feels like Tata is driving in the Nano Twist 'F-Tronic' before the diesel version. Nano has really evolved from not just the world's cheapest car to a fairly equipped feature loaded 'SMART' city car. The carmaker is also testing Nano diesel with a 800cc twin-cylinder diesel unit jointly developed with Bosch churns out power in the range of 40 to 45bhp. As per the speculations, the car returns over 30kmpl of mileage. The company will be rolling 'F-Tronic' version soon following the Zest and Bolt launch, the diesel is expected to come later.

Seems like Tata is gambling high on Automatic this time to resurrect the lost grounds and it certainly promises to pay off. None of the manufacturer touch the oil burner automatic yet in the compact sedan space plus also with a turbo charged petrol. Nano equipped with 'F-Tronic transmission will probably steal the status from Celerio of being the least expensive automatic in the country plus with an AMT and power steering, would make it a perfect city cruiser!