Tata motors’ small car the Kite hatchback which is all set to reveal in the first week of December has now been officially christened as ZICA. With Lionel Messi as company’s brand ambassador, the new hatchback will be launched in the first week of January 2016 in India. Tata ZICA to replace Indica eV2 and will be placed below Tata bolt in the lineup and will compete with Hyundai Grand i10, Renault Kwid and Maruti Suzuki Celerio.
Built on new XO platform, the car is expected redefined the entry level hatchback segment helping to change the luck of the company. Besides from the hatchback, Tata will launch the compact sedan based on same platform as ZICA in the following months. Both the vehicles are expected to roll out from Tata’s plant in Sanand, Gujarat.
Earlier this month, Tata Motors released a TV commercial starring Lionel Messi in which this ZICA aka Kite hatchback was teased. Going by the visuals seen in the TV commercial, it seems Tata has tried to shed away from the Taxi image as ZICA’s front design with black mesh grille, stretched headlamp design along with prominent creases at sides. The rear profile especially the tail lamp design looks completely different from Tata’s current portfolio.
The small hatchback will be available with two engine options; one is a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol that also powers Tata Bolt. The engine develops 75bhp max power and 120Nm of Torque while the 3-cylinder 1.05 litre oil burner is good for 65bhp and 142Nm of power and torque output respectively. Both the engines will be paired to a five speed manual gearbox as standard while an AMT transmission could also be on offer.
As far as fuel efficiency goes, the diesel is expected to return close to 25KMPL while petrol could produce 22 KMPL. The Tata ZICA is expected to price between Rs. 3.5-5 lakh (ex-showroom).
