It has been 6 months since I drove the Tata Hexa, and it was awesome experience. And this time around I got called for Tata Tigor. Timing of it cannot have been any better, with my birthday around!
I never traveled north of India, with northest I been to was Kutch. Still largely between the equator and Tropic of Cancer. So, this was the first real time I crossed the Tropic of Cancer over India. Flying to Delhi then!
It was the Saturday, week before the event, I got a call from Nihal. He asked if I was interested in driving Tata Tigor? I only had one word to say. You guessed it. A quick word with wife and I had already sent him my details to proceed with booking flights and hotel arrangements.
I did not know who were my fellow passengers to the event. It was only the day before my flight that I knew that gang from Hexa event was there. I felt happier, knowing the people who will be spending the weekend with me.
I leave for Airport before time so that I can enjoy my breakfast at Carnations, courtesy Ola Priority Membership. Yesteryear’s star Zeenat Aman was sitting across my table having breakfast. All I could think of is to remind myself – “do not go asking for a selfie – she is having breakfast!”
Soon I am joined by Sanjay Thampy, Ankit Jain, Sangeeta Yadav and many new faces as we wait for our GoAir flight. After a delay of an hour, I was finally on my way to Delhi, the Kejri-land that I had never been to…
Tigor Styleback, everywhere!
As soon as we arrived at the arrival terminal, we were directed to the Styleback counter that Tata Motors had set up at the Airport. Everyone got to pick up their route map, luggage badges and ID cards – all custom branded to Tata Tigor Styleback with a sketch design of the car.
Tata’s nailed it this time around – with a lot of general public getting much curious and started even asking around what this stall is all about. Tigor will see more fan following as I figure out later.
From Airport, we were escorted to 1AQ, where the styleback experience was in full swing. I fed myself there, with a tasty pasta and salad for lunch. I am veggie, so had limited options. There were sea food and meat, and I hear they were excellent. And the deserts, I cannot say enough off! Lovely! Look at the pictures.
I left 1AQ in disappointment. Qutub Minar is just a 5-minute walk away, if time permitted. We have very tight schedule, thanks to the congestion in Mumbai Airport that delayed landing in Delhi, by approx. two hours. So, disheartened, I move to the hotel.
Day 1 of Tata Motors’ Hospitality
Andaz by Hyatt, Delhi Aerocity
I am absolutely surprised as we reach Andaz. It is different. Different than any other hotels I have been to. It was surprising how difficult it is to differentiate among other hotels, but easy if you knew how to do it.
In a true essence Tata Tigor and Andaz Delhi are high on Style! From little things to the ambiance, design and grandeur, Andaz just filled me up. A look at the staff, and no one missed to smile. It makes a huge difference. The crockery is colorful, so is the food. Array of options, the best of what Chefs could make.
I doubted it is called Andaz and not And AZ – since Andaz literally completes everything A to Z! Even got the staff to give me a bite! I would love to go back again. Question is – how soon?
Tata Tigor Launch Presentation
With a room like the one I got, it did not feel good to leave it for the presentation but that is what I am here for – the car, Tata Tigor. The compact sedan that does not look like one, the hatch back that is not a hatchback.
The way the car has been designed, it has created a new category itself. And Tata Motors got to name it, Styleback. A name not in the dictionary. Unique, and creative.
Then I saw Pratap Bose. He is the guy behind the team that designed Hexa and Tiago. He is the man behind the IMPACT philosophy that makes Tata cars look great! Something that Tata’s sorely missed of-late.
On to the presentation then!
Tata Tigor features in a jiffy!
Tata Tigor has many a jaw drop with the looks. And features will just add to the weight. Tigor is Tata’s freshest entry into the competitive Compact Sedan arena. Compact Sedans as a category was created by Tata Motors with Indigo CS – taking full advantage of the Govt. tax soaps for cars below 1.4-liter engine and 4 meters in length.
Tigor Design and Style
Let me tell you that Tigor is the best-looking car around! Period. It is unlike anything in the market today and there is no denying the fact that it beats the competition hands down. It does carry forward the Tiago look and feels through B-pillar, however after that things change for better. This is not your hatchback with a boot.
Head-on, there is not much to differentiate between Tigor and Tiago – the car on which the former is based. Radiator grill and smoked headlight unit with projector headlamps being the difference. Among other things, the diesel variant of the car gets 14-inch tires, and petrol one comes with 15-incher. There is just required amount of chrome, sleek led tail lamps and the nice bumper provide this car the name Styleback!
Tigor gets Harman designed infotainment system with touchscreen. The screen also doubles up as the rear parking camera view – which may not be very efficient. I would have preferred it to show up on the center review view mirror but I am not complaining.
Tigor standout features for your heart!
Apart from the obvious styling differences, Tigor sets a few benchmarks in this segment. Several small things add up to this huge positive vibe I feel about Tata Tigor. The boot lid uses beams instead of hinges which helps in an increase in usage space of total 419 liters of boot space.
6 speaker Harman speakers do a fantastic job, and will ensure you are totally happy even if you are playing Justin Biber! The Infotainment system can connect with your phone and use applications. You get steering mounted controls and voice activation. Tigor comes with Climate Control and that is a segment first. Aircon is strong and quick in cooling the cabin. There are 28 Cubby holes per Tata’s. The rear seat has an arm rest with two cup holders, again a segment first.
The allow rims also come in dual tone which are very nice to look at, so does the color inserts around the aircon vents on the dash matching with the color of the car. Tigor is available in Copper Dazzle, Platinum Silver, Pearlescent White, Espresso Brown, Berry Red.
For your brain: Engine and performance
Tigor is is powered by 1.2-liter Revotron 3-cylinder petrol engine and by 1.05-liter Revotorq diesel engine. Revotron displaces a maximum power & torque of 85ps and 114Nm torque which Revotroq variant is churns out a power output of 70ps and 140Nm of torque.
Both engines come with multiple drive modes, viz. City for peppier performance and Eco for more mileage conscious. Power is transmitted via a 5-speed gearbox. AMT version is not being launched for now, though Tata Motor’s Pratap Bose suggested their target niche for Tigor are women.
Well that is what is on the paper. So how does it drive on the road? Well, Tigor drives nicely and that is a combination of a lot of things. Tigor petrol car’s suspension felt a bit supple which diesel one’s felt a bit stiff. Both cars absorb bumps brilliantly and that is a testament of Tata’s efforts.
For sure, the NVH levels in diesel car were evident and something that is an area of improvement. It is not bad, but something that Tata needs to work on to improve in upcoming versions of the car. Petrol engine is an aluminum block, and lighter of the two by 100kgs, is peppier than diesel. Diesel one needs to push past 2500 rpm, after which it works nicely.
The car handles well, though the route we drove was pretty much highway. It is a comfortable car do begin with and takes potholes with aplomb. It is no Hexa, and not an off-roader. Handling is also neat, there is no body roll and the car feels planted on the road.
Tata Tigor Unique Review
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Kitna deti hai?
Though the mileage was not revealed by Tata Motors, but it is evident when we drove the car that petrol returned an average of 15 while the diesel got us 17 kmpl. Keep in mind that these are readings on the dash screen which are not very accurate. At the same time, we all drove the car to test its features and performance and not mileage given the time we had in our hands.
So what is my take on it?
Tigor is a lovely car to come from the stable of Tata. One of the criticisms with Tata cars was always that they are not desirable, but no longer. Tiago, Hexa, Tigor all follow the IMPACT design language that has successfully put Tata back into the game.
It will deliver you goods you are looking for at a budget but will not make you feel compromised. The quality levels are next to the best if not the best, and two engine options are refined too. I will pick up the petrol for its super performance, 15-inch tires and overall ride.