Tata Tiago to get AMT gearbox

Set to launch sometime next month, the Tiago is Tata’s all-new offering in the midsized hatchback segment. A rival to the Maruti Celerio and Hyundai i10, the Tiago is based on the same platform as the Indica but has been designed from the grounds up making it an all-new car.

Powering the new Tiago is a family of three-cylinder engines. There is an all-new 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder motor badged Revotron developing 83.8bhp. The second engine on offer is a new 1.05-litre three-cylinder turbo diesel badged Revotorq which is good for 69bhp. This engine is actually a downsized (and thoroughly modernised) version of the Indica’s 1405cc, four-cylinder diesel unit. Both petrol and diesel engines will be paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. The AMT gearbox will be introduced at a later date.

Tata Motors currently offers the AMT gearbox in the Nano and the Zest compact sedan. The Tiago will be the next model to come with this gearbox. While the Nano gets AMT in the petrol avatar, the Tata Zest sedan gets it on the diesel variant. For the Tiago, the gearbox is expected to be offered in the petrol model first, while the diesel AMT will arrive later making it the only car in the segment to offer a diesel-automatic combination.

Amongst its rivals, the Maruti Celerio comes with the option of an AMT gearbox, but only in the petrol variant. This model currently commands a major chunk of the sales of the hatchback. The Hyundai i10 on the other hand is only offered as a petrol manual hatchback.

Tata will be introducing the AMT gearbox in the Tiago as it offers a more economical option to the standard automatic or CVT units. The gearbox offers the convenience of a regular automatic with the mileage of a manual and on a tighter budget than a standard automatic gearbox. This will allow Tata to introduce the AMT on its latest offering without majorly affecting the price.

For more on the Tiago, read our comprehensive first drive review and our video review.