In the UK a badge engineered version was imported by the MG Rover Group and sold as the Rover CityRover. Other popular foreign markets include South Africa where the Indica and the Indicab models (known as B Line) are sold.
History
On 30 December 1998, Tata Motors (previously called TELCO) introduced the most modern car ever to be designed by an Indian company: the Indica. Marketed with slogans like "The Big... Small Car" and "More car per car," the ad campaign focused on roomy interiors and affordability. Within a week of its unveiling in 1999, the company received 115,000 bookings.[3] In two years, the Indica became the number one car in its segment.
Partly designed and developed by Tata Motors, it is a five-door compact hatchback with a 1.4 L petrol/diesel I4 engine designated as 475DL internally. This is a homegrown engine which is derived from the engine used by Tata in their line of pickups and SUVs earlier but with a reduced stroke. The original engine was designated as 483DL which stood for 4 cylinder and 83 mm stroke.
The Indica offered options like air conditioning and electric windows, which were previously restricted to only upmarket imported cars in India. Three years later the Indica was exported to European markets for the first time, and from 2003 the Indica was badge engineered and sold in the UK as the Rover CityRover. This vehicle ceased production in April 2005 when MG Rover went bankrupt, and did not resume production when new owners Nanjing Automobile launched its own versions of the MG Rover range in 2007.
The outer body styling was done by Italian design house I.DE.A Institute, under contract from Tata Motors, with heavy interaction with Tata's in-house design team. The engine, however, was indigenous.
Accessories and optional extras
The following range of accessories were available for the Indica:
Power steering
HVAC - Heater, ventilation, and air conditioning
Turbocharger and intercooler
Alloy wheels
Power windows
Central locking with remote key-less entry
Ventilated disc brakes
4 spoke steering wheel
Tinted windshields
Powerful fog lamps
Rear spoiler with integrated LED stop lamp
Luxurious beige/black interiors
Night adjust rear view mirror
Chrome tip on silencer, chrome lining on grill and bonnet
Audio warnings—driver/passenger seat belt warning, door open warning
Tacho meter (selected models)
child lock on rear doors (selected models)
alloy pedals
ABS and airbags
Indica V1 and V2 (1998-present) (1st generation)
Indica V1 and V2
Production 1998-present
Body style(s) 5-door hatchback
Engine(s) 1.2L 65.3 hp (48.7 kW) I4
1.4 L 70 hp (52 kW) I4
1.4 L 53.5 hp (39.9 kW) diesel I4
1.4 L 62 hp (46 kW) turbodiesel I4
1.4 L 68 hp (51 kW) Intercooled turbodiesel I4
1.4 L 70 hp (52 kW) DiCOR I4
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
Wheelbase 2,400 millimetres (94 in)
Length 3,690 millimetres (145 in)
Base: 3,675 millimetres (144.7 in)
Width 1,665 millimetres (65.6 in)
Top Version: 1,485 millimetres (58.5 in)
Height 1,485 millimetres (58.5 in)
Top Version: 1,500 millimetres (59 in)
Designer I.DE.A Institute
When first launched, the Indica prompted many complaints from early purchasers, who claimed that the vehicle did not deliver horsepower and gas mileage as promised.[citation needed] In response to the customer complaints, Tata Motors greatly re-engineered the internals of the car and launched it as Indica V2 (version 2), which solved most of the complaints and emerged as one of the most sought after cars in the Indian automobile industry. Later, it was again updated, now marketed as the "Refreshingly New Indica V2". This was followed by the next variant of Indica, current in early 2008, called the Indica V2 Xeta Petrol, which delivers 70 PS (51 kW; 69 hp) of power at a fuel efficiency of 14 km/l (about 33 mpg U.S., fuel consumption of 7.1 L/100 km) under standard test conditions. In Indian city conditions, fuel economy can drop to about 10 km/l (about 23.5 mpg U.S., 10 L/100 km).
Since the V1 and V2 which were visually identical, Tata had applied styling updates to the Indica in 2004 and 2007.
In India, three versions were available with different trim levels.
Indica V2 — 1.4 L diesel (naturally aspirated engine in the DLE and DLS; turbocharged option in the DLS; turbocharged and intercooled DLG and DLX; DiCOR engine offered in the DLS and DLG);
Indica V2 XETA — 1.2 L petrol (GL: without AC; GLE: with AC; GLS: with AC & Power Steering), 1.2 L LPG (GLE & GLS versions only);
Indicab — 1.4 L naturally aspirated diesel (DL and DLE), a low-price car with the same framework but fewer features and luxuries, aimed at cab and contract transport business fleets. Very popular among transport business people.
Originally offered with 1.4L petrol and diesel engines, a turbocharged diesel engine was introduced in October 2005; a 1.2L petrol engine in November 2006 and a DiCOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) diesel version of Indica V2 was launched in January 2008. It features 16 valves, double overhead camshafts, a variable geometry turbocharger and an intercooler. The top end GLG, GLX, DLG, DLX versions and the turbo and DiCOR diesel engines, as well as the 1.4L petrol engines have been phased out with the introduction of the next generation Indica Vista.
A compressed natural gas (CNG) was launched in 2001. It is offered as an option through OEM Bedini kits offered by Shrimanker Gas Services India on the Indica V2 XETA.
Faced with numerous CNG-related complaints, TATA organized a systematic recall and retrofit of Bedini equipment which included a new improved Lamda sensor / electronic control unit, Bedini emulator and new wiring harness approved and tested by both TATA and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) from 28–31 May 2007. With the new system, TATA aims to improve gas delivery and performance.
In its home market, the Indica offers good interior capacity and competes with the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Maruti Wagon-R, Maruti Alto, the Hyundai Santro and the Fiat Palio. The diesel versions, however, have little or no competition since no other diesel cars exist in the Indica's price bracket.
The slightly higher-than-average net weight makes for a comfortable ride compared to lighter cars. Fit and finish continue be criticized compared to offerings from Fiat and Maruti.
The Indica platform spawned a number of variants, including the Tata Indigo three-box saloon which includes the shorter Indigo CS, Long wheelbase XL and the Indigo Marina estate.
Indica Vista (2008-present) (2nd generation)
Indica Vista
Also called Indica V3
Production 2008-present
Body style(s) 5-door hatchback
Engine(s) 1.2 L 65 hp (48 kW)FIRE I4
1.4 L 71 hp (53 kW) turbodiesel I4
1.3 L 75 hp (56 kW)JTD I4
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
Wheelbase 2,470 millimetres (97 in)
Length 3,795 millimetres (149.4 in)
Width 1,695 millimetres (66.7 in)
Height 1,550 millimetres (61 in)
Designer Tata Motors, evolution of V2
The Indica Vista was unveiled at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi. The Indica Vista is not a facelift of the Indica. It is built on a completely new platform and shares nothing with the existing Indica. This new version is bigger than the previous Indica, it is 3,795 mm (149.4 in) long with a wheelbase of 2,470 mm (97.2 in). The Indica Vista has two new engines, a 1.3 L Quadra Jet common rail direct injection diesel and a 1.2 L Safire MPFI VVT petrol engine. It is also available with the 1.4L TDi(Turbo Diesel). The Quadra Jet (Fiat JTD) is produced in Ranjangaon by the Tata-Fiat joint venture. The Indica Vista, rumoured as the Indica V3 till then, was launched in August 2008
Tata Indica Vista Specifications
1.4 TDI 1.3 Quadrajet 1.2 Safire
Top speed - - -
0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) - - -
Engine Type 475 IDI Turbo 1.3L SDE Common, Quadrajet Diesel engine New 1.2L, MPFI, Safire Petrol engine
Displacement 1,405 cc (85.7 cu in) 1,248 cc (76.2 cu in) 1,172 cc (71.5 cu in)
Power 71 PS (52 kW; 70 hp) @ 4500 rpm 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) @ 4000 rpm 65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp) @ 5500 rpm
Torque 135 N·m (100 ft·lbf) @2500 rpm 190 N·m (140 ft·lbf) @1750 rpm 96 N·m (71 ft·lbf) @3000 rpm
Valve Mechanism - - -
Cylinder Configuration Inline 4 Inline 4 Inline 4
Fuel Type Diesel Diesel Petrol
Fuel System ID TC CRDI MPFI
Minimum Turning Radius - - -
Wheelsize 14 in (360 mm) 14 in (360 mm) 13 in (330 mm)
Tires 175 / 65 R14 (tubeless) 175 / 65 R14 (tubeless) 175 / 70 R 13 (tubeless)
Ground Clearance 165 mm (6.5 in) 165 mm (6.5 in) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Indica Vista EV (Electric version)
Tata Indica EV
Tata Indica EV engine bay
Electric versions of the Indica (the Indica EV) is scheduled to be launched in India in 2011. The electric will be based on the Indica Vista. Electrovaya’s batteries are expected to give 120 miles (190 km) on a single charge is undergoing testing. The electric version will utilize Lithium ion batteries for higher power. Once charged, the car can travel up to 200 kilometers. The car has started roll out in the end of 2008 and in Spain in 2010-08-11
The company has indicated that the electric Indica would be launched locally in India in about 2010, without disclosing the price. The vehicle would be launched in Norway in 2009 and also would go on sale in continental Europe and the UK.
The government (Business Secretary Lord Mandelson) has announced a £10 (€11.09) million loan to Tata to support the manufacturing of electric vehicles in the UK.
Tata Motors' UK subsidiary, Tata Motors European Technical Centre, has bought a 50.3% holding in electric vehicle technology firm Miljø Grenland/Innovasjon of Norway for US$1.93 M, which specialises in the development of innovative solutions for electric vehicles, and plans to launch the electric Indica hatchback in Europe in 2010. Electrovaya is partnering with Tata Motors and Miljø Grenland/Innovasjon to manufacture batteries and electric cars using Electrovaya’s Lithium Ion SuperPolymer battery technology.
It is expected to have a 200 km (120 mi) range on a full charge and a top speed of 105 kilometres per hour (65 mph) .With 0 to 60kms in less than 10 seconds. To achieve this, TM4 (a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec) provides an efficient MФTIVETM series electric motor.
[edit]Indica Silhouette concept car
During India's 2006 Auto Expo in New Delhi, Tata unveiled the Indica Silhouette concept car, a radical, high-performance Indica featuring rear-wheel drive, extensive bodywork, and a 3.5 litre 330 hp (246 kW) V6.[25] The car is capable of accelerating from 0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and maxes out at 270 km/h (170 mph). The Silhouette is currently only a concept vehicle, and is completely different from the standard Indica.
Indica Rally Version
A homologated 1500 cc 115 bhp (86 kW) Indica with sporting suspension and capable of 180 km/h (110 mph) was prepared jointly by Tata Motors and J. Anand of Jayem Automotives.
Source:wikipedia
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