Tata H5X, 45X concepts showcased at Geneva

The 2018 Geneva motor show marked Tata Motors’ 20th consecutive year of participation. And the carmaker used the platform to great effect with the global unveil of the sleek EVision Sedan Concept that demonstrates the flexibility of Tata’s Omega platform and also previews an interior concept for Tata EVs of the future. While the spotlight was on the EVision concept, Tata also had on display the recently unveiled H5X SUV concept and 45X premium hatchback concept that got their very first international showing.

Both these concepts were first revealed at the 2018 Auto Expo in Delhi and preview future models from the Indian carmaker in their respective segments. Notably, the two models debuted Tata’s new Impact Design 2.0 design language, and the EVision is the third body style to be based on it. Design elements common to all cars include large wheels, clean surfacing, slim LED headlights and a bold ‘humanity line’ that links to the headlights and grille.

Expected to launch in the first half of 2019, lower-spec variants of the production-spec H5X will come with Hyundai Creta-rivalling pricing, while the higher-spec trims are expected to undercut the Jeep Compass. An added highlight: the SUV will be offered with five-seat and seven-seat configurations. Power will come from a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre Multijet turbo-diesel engine (incidentally shared with its rival, the Compass) in two states of tune – 140hp on the five-seat model and 170hp on the seven-seat one. An automatic transmission is also expoected, which will send power to all-four-wheels (depending on the engine and trim level) via a newly developed 4x4 system.

The 45X concept previews an eventual rival to the likes of the Hyundai i20, Maruti Baleno and Volkswagen Polo. The car is expected to be powered by uprated versions of the Nexon’s 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre, turbo-diesel. A bump of 10 percent would mean outputs would rise to about 125hp. Also expect the option of a new twin-clutch automatic with the production-spec model when it goes on sale, likely in 2019. Unfortunately, Tata didn’t take the wraps off the concept’s cabin at the Geneva motor show either but design illustrations do give an idea of what to expect.