Maruti Suzuki Alto's upcoming rival Tata Pelican under development

Tata will launch the Bolt in India in a couple of days and later bring in the facelifted Storme, Nano with openable boot and the compact SUV Nexon. On the other hand, while the company is also busy working on a compact sedan and hatchback under the project name 'Kite', a report says that Tata is developing a new small car dubbed the 'Pelican'.

This new car is expected to be based on Tata Nano's platform. This re-engineered platform will underpin this lightweight car, which will rival the Maruti Suzuki Alto. It will be exported to Tata's markets across the globe when its production starts.

The Tata Pelican will be powered by 1.0-litre petrol and 800cc diesel motor that Tata Motors is developing in-house. It is expected to be the most affordable diesel car in India then.

The Pelican will primarily rival the Maruti Suzuki 800 and the Hyundai Eon; and will also compete with the upcoming Renault XBA and Datsun Redi-GO. Tata's manufacturing facility at Sanand will be heavily utilised soon as the Pelican, the Kite sedan and hatchback will be made here. We can expect these cars to go on sale in 2016-2017.

Source: Business-Standard