Tata Motors has taken the aggressive strategy as far as revamping its old products and launching new ones is concerned. The company that has seen a declining sales recently launched the latest version of its Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) Aria which hopes to break the ice for Tata Motors and appeal to a host of big, economical and efficient MPV buyers.
Since the time it was first launched, the Tata Aria has never got the start it had wished. While many people preferred the competitors, others moved away from it because of its then high price. Tata Motors was quick to address this problem. But before it revised the prices and launched the two-wheel drive variants, the competitors had taken the lead.
However, now the company hopes to revive the fate of the Aria as it silently launched an updated version. Cosmetic changes on the new Aria include new projector headlamps, clear lens for the tail-lamps and side blinkers, decals on the side and black bezel surround for the headlamps only on the top-end variant.
The interiors of the new Aria have been updated with a major focus being to improve the quality of the materials along with fit and finish. The new Aria features new seat upholstery, chrome accents on door handles, pillar-mounted AC vents, a new NAVTEQ navigation system, a Harmon-Kardon audio system and Bluetooth connectivity. Other creature comforts on the new Aria include rain-sensing headlamps and wipers, steering-mounted audio controls, cruise control and chilled glove box. Tata has paid special attention to improve the new Aria’s safety and it has been loaded with six airbags, ESP, ABS, disc brakes on all-wheels and Traction Control System. The new Aria will be offered in three variants—Pure 4X2, Pleasure 4X2 and Pride 4X4. The car will be available in new shades of pearl white, arctic silver and quartz black along with the existing maroon shade.
The changes are not only limited to the interiors. Powering the new Aria is the same 2.2-litre, VariCor diesel mill but it has been tuned to pump out 150PS, which is a hike of 10PS over the previous motor. Torque rating stands at 320Nm and Tata claims the new
Aria has an overall fuel efficiency figure of 15.5kmpl (ARAI figure).
The new Aria with updates in exterior, interior and engine has been priced between Rs 9.95 lakh and Rs 14.74 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is available both in 4X2 and 4X4 versions.
Tata Aria
Engine
2.2 litre diesel, 150 PS
Price
Rs 9.95 lakh to Rs 14.74 lakh
(ex-showroom, Delhi)
Mileage 15.5 kmpl
Toyota Innova
Engine 2 litre petrol, 100 PS; 2.5 litre diesel, 130 bhp
Price Rs 9.43 lakh to Rs 14.92 lakh
(ex-showroom, Delhi)
Mileage
9.07 kmpl
(petrol); 13.7 kmpl (diesel)
Suzuki Ertiga
Engine
1.4 litre petrol; 1.3 litre diesel
Price
Rs 5.99 lakh to Rs 8.71 lakh
(ex-showroom, Delhi)
Mileage 14.3 kmpl
(petrol); 19.2 kmpl (diesel)