Tata Zica hatchback codenamed as Kite is all set to make its official debut this week while it will be launched in India in January 2016. In the meantime, fresh uncamouflaged images of Kite have surfaced online unveiling all the details. Zica is the third product after Bolt and Zest to be built on company’s HORIZONEXT technology and it has been designed at Tata’s centers at Italy and UK.
Going by the spied images, Tata has certainly stridden away from its typical taxi and Indica design cues. In comparison to other Tata cars, Zica looks sharper and aggressive thanks to sharp lines all around. Tata seems to break away the Jinx of boring and similar design indictment with the upcoming entry level hatchback Zica.
Much to people’s delight, Zica’s silhouette doesn’t carry any similarity to Indica or any other Tata car. The front profile of the hatchback sports a muscular bonnet with floating lines, big large sweptback headlamps with a tinge of black element flanked by honeycomb mesh grille underpinned by a chrome line also known as “Humanity line” around the grille. The front bumper has a big air dam with integrated fog lamps enclosed by chrome to add a touch of sophistication to the front design.
The side looks very much Jazz like with sharp creases that runs from the front and meets into the tail lamps. While things like black b-pillars, stylish 10 spoke alloy wheels, ORVMs with integrated blinkers are taken from Bolt and Zest. The Rear looks quite similar to Hyundai grand i10 and new Ford Figo hatchback especially the petal shaped tail lamps with faux LED effect.
The curvy boot, large windscreen, roof spoiler with black finishing and third brake light, rear bumper housing number plate and rear parking sensors makes it Tata’s cleanest design car till date. Overall, the design is neat and has all the elements to become a good seller in the segment.
The Interiors feature a dual tone beige cabin with chrome accents on dashboard and door handles. The top variants to get 2 DIN Harmon sourced infotainment system, reverse parking sensors, rear folding seats, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, steering mounted controls etc. Based on the spied images, the rear seems to get average knee room space but we’d like to have a better look to verify the same.
The Zica hatchback will get 2 engine options, a 1.05-litre 3-cylinder diesel engine that develops 65bhp power and 142Nm torque. The 1.2-litre Revotron petrol that also does duty on Tata Bolt is good for 75bhp power and 120Nm of torque. Fuel efficiency of diesel trim is expected to be around 25 Kmpl while petrol trims are rated to deliver around 22kmpl. Lastly, Transmission options on both the engines will include a 5 speed manual and an automated manual transmission (AMT).
The Zica hatchback will be manufactured at Tata’s plant in Sanand, Gujarat and expected to be competitively priced in the range of Rs. 3.6- 5 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi).
