In September 1995, Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Motors had a dream. A dream he believed he shared with every Indian. "We'll have a car with the Zen's size, the Ambassador's internal dimensions, the price of a Maruti 800 and with the running cost of diesel." In December 1998, the dream came true. And it was only fitting that a car built by Indians for Indians was called Indica. It was the first car that seriously took all Indian sensibilities into consideration.
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 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.
Contrary to popular belief, the car was not designed entirely in India. The outer body styling was done by an Italian design house called I.DE.A Institute, under contract from Tata Motors, with heavy interaction with Tata's in-house design team. The engine, however, was indigenous
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 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.
Contrary to popular belief, the car was not designed entirely in India. The outer body styling was done by an Italian design house called I.DE.A Institute, under contract from Tata Motors, with heavy interaction with Tata's in-house design team. The engine, however, was indigenous
quality revolution in indica
Indica V1 and V2 (1998-2008)(First Generation)
Indica V1 and V2
Production
1998-2008
Body style(s)
5-door hatchback
Engine(s)
1.2L 65.3 hp (48.7 kW) I41.4 L 70 hp (52 kW) I41.4 L 53.5 hp (39.9 kW) diesel I41.4 L 62 hp (46 kW) turbodiesel I41.4 L 68 hp (51 kW) Intercooled turbodiesel I41.4 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.[4] In Indian city conditions, fuel economy can drop to about 10 km/l (about 23.5 mpg U.S., 10 L/100 km).[5]
Since the V1 and V2 which were visually identical, Tata had applied styling updates to the Indica in 2004[6] and 2007.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9] It is offered as an option through OEM Bedini kits offered by Shrimanker Gas Services India on the Indica V2 XETA.[10]
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 May–31 May 2007. With the new system, TATA aims to improve gas delivery and performance.[citation needed]
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.[11]
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 V1 and V2
Production
1998-2008
Body style(s)
5-door hatchback
Engine(s)
1.2L 65.3 hp (48.7 kW) I41.4 L 70 hp (52 kW) I41.4 L 53.5 hp (39.9 kW) diesel I41.4 L 62 hp (46 kW) turbodiesel I41.4 L 68 hp (51 kW) Intercooled turbodiesel I41.4 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.[4] In Indian city conditions, fuel economy can drop to about 10 km/l (about 23.5 mpg U.S., 10 L/100 km).[5]
Since the V1 and V2 which were visually identical, Tata had applied styling updates to the Indica in 2004[6] and 2007.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9] It is offered as an option through OEM Bedini kits offered by Shrimanker Gas Services India on the Indica V2 XETA.[10]
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 May–31 May 2007. With the new system, TATA aims to improve gas delivery and performance.[citation needed]
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.[11]
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.
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