New Delhi: Tata Motors has shelved the launch of the Bolt Sport in doubts over how it will perform, as the sales of the regular Bolt have been a downer. In its place, a new sport version of the Tiago is set to be launched. Despite the Bolt sport seeing a debut at the 2016 Auto Expo, the same won’t find a launch, as it can be considered a little more premium in price and low in mileage.
The launch of the Bolt Sport would also affect the financial viability of the Tata Motors, especially when the Bolt has been selling in its all-time low. In the financial year 2014-15, the Bolt sold only 2,000 units and so getting the Bolt to sell well enough to pass the breakeven point would be an uphill task. The Bolt Sport will also be priced close to Rs. 8 lakh and so might fail to make the best of the market in the segment.
The Tata believes that the Bolt, if launched, cannot turn into a volume driver. So, the Indian carmaker has revised its plans to launch a hot-hatch sports version of the Tata Tiago, dubbed the Tiago Plus, with a more powerful higher tuned engine than the regular Bolt.
The engine of the Tiago Plus will create in excess of the 120 bhp of the Bolt, while will likely be using a revised 1.2-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. Its suspension will also be low slung with stiffer dampers and the body kit will boast of an aggressive appearance much different from the Tiago.
The Tata Tiago has been a huge success in the market for Tata Motors, reviving its prospects in the hatchback segment. Selling over 5,000 units in July 2016, the Tiago is currently the best-selling model in the Tata Motors line-up. It is powered by the 1.2-litre Revotron and Revotorq petrol and diesel engines that make 84 bhp and 69 bhp respectively.
Source: vicky.in