Tata Altroz CNG to get an AMT soon

The recently launched Tata Altroz facelift has carried over all three fuel options – petrol, diesel and CNG – from its predecessor, and it has even got a new AMT option with the petrol engine. While it was given a miss at launch, Autocar India can confirm that the AMT gearbox will also be offered with the CNG powertrain in the near future, likely in the next couple of months. The company, however, has yet to comment on the same officially.

1. Altroz CNG AMT launch expected in the next couple of months
2. Automatic variants make up about 25 percent of Altroz sales
3. AMT is already offered with Tiago and Tigor CNG

Tata Altroz CNG AMT: what to expect?

Will carry over the same powertrain from Tiago and Tigor CNG

Tata Motors already offers an AMT gearbox with the Tiago and Tigor CNG, so the company already has the technology, and it is only logical to offer it with the more premium Altroz as well. In fact, Tata is the only company that offers an automatic option with CNG powertrains. While it did feel like a miss at launch, the company is likely holding it back for a later intervention.

The Altroz uses the same 1.2-litre engine as the Tiago and Tigor CNG, so the power and torque figures of 73hp and 95Nm can be expected to remain the same. It will also be offered with the dual CNG cylinder setup, as we have seen with the pre-facelift Altroz.

New AMT gearbox particularly aimed at first-time buyers

70 percent of Altroz buyers are first-time car buyers

Speaking to Autocar India at the launch of the new Altroz, Sailesh Chandra, MD of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited, revealed that nearly 70 percent of Altroz buyers are first-time car buyers. And overall, about 25 percent opt for the automatic variants. Therefore, to widen the appeal of automatic variants with first-time buyers, Tata has introduced the AMT gearbox as a cost-effective solution, while the 6-speed DCT also continues to be on sale for someone willing to pay the premium for a more sophisticated experience.

“We thought that for somebody who wants to experience automatic for the first time, AMT is a good option because it’s cost-effective. And we have seen a decent penetration of AMTs in this segment, so that’s why we introduced the AMT with the petrol,” said Chandra.

Chandra attributes lost market share to the ageing hatchback line-up 

The introduction of AMT is a key part of Tata’s efforts to recover lost ground in the hatchback segment. Chandra candidly spoke of the challenges faced by the company with its hatchback range, including Tiago and Altroz, which saw a significant decline in sales. “On the hatchback side is where we lost,” Chandra stated. “That is the only reason for us losing market share. The industry declined by 13 percent; we declined by more than 30 percent. Why? Because both Tiago and Altroz were aged. That is where we lost the maximum volume, and it was because of a lack of any intervention.”