Tata Kite hatchback spied; might be the production version

Tata Motors recently started testing their upcoming compact hatchback under the project name Kite. The test mules of the car have been spotted testing in and around Pune several times but most of them had makeshift components. The one spotted recently is in a better form and with the way things are shaping up, we can assume that this might be the near to production version of the Kite hatchback.

In comparison to the test vehicle of the Kite hatchback spied earlier, the current one looks in a better form and gets wrap-around headlamps that merge into the honeycomb grille. The rear windshield is wider than the one on the Indica as the new tail lights are unlike the Christmas-tree style tail lamps. The defogger gets a round pattern and the top-end variants might be equipped with a spoiler. 

Coming to the underpinnings, an updated XO platform of the Indica will underpin the Kite hatchback. This hatchback with a tall-boy design like the other siblings will get a different layout for the cabin and a completely new interior. It is expected to feature the latest technology from Tata’s Horizonext strategy.

The engine line-up from the current Tata products might be carried over to the upcoming Kite hatchback. Speculations also suggest that Tata Motors might also add a new three-cylinder petrol and diesel mill option for this new car. All the manual variants will feature the five-speed gearbox and the carmaker might offer the AMT gearbox with the diesel.

The Tata Kite hatchback might be launched in the second half of this year or in early 2016. It will be produced at Tata's manufacturing plant in Sanand, Gujarat along with the upcoming Kite compact sedan. The new hatchback might replace the Indica and will compete with the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Datsun GO and the Chevrolet Spark in the small car segment in India.

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