There will be a new compact sedan from Tata next year. Shown in concept for as the Kite 5 at the 2016 Auto Expo, it will get a mid-2017 debut and mostly a fancy Spanish name like its hatchback sibling. Ahead of the debut, the car has been spied sans camouflage at what looks like a dealership.
Predictably, the Kite 5 in production guise looks like a three-box version of the Tiago hatchback. It has the same fascia, silhouette up to the C-pillar and even sports a slightly smaller version of the Tiago’s tail lamps. There is a large chrome strip running above the slot for the number plate while the design of the alloy wheels is a sportier version of the one we saw on the Tiago.
The cabin is expected to be carried over from the Tiago with exactly the same feature list, wheelbase and materials. However, it is expected to top out at 3995mm in terms of length giving an additional 249mm of cabin space and most probably a boot with a capacity of over 300-litres which is expected to be achieved by reclining the rear seat back.
This car will make use of the same engines from the Tiago. The petrol unit is a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine producing 84bhp/114Nm while the diesel is a 1.0-litre unit producing 69bhp/140Nm. Both units are only offered with a five-speed manual but an AMT is also on the cards. It is expected to be launched by the middle of next year and will take on the likes of the Chevrolet Essentia and possibly new sub-compact compact sedans from Maruti Suzuki and Renault.
