Confirmed: Tata Hexa to get Varicor 320, 4x4 AT

A while ago we had speculated that the new Tata Hexa might get the Varicor 320 engine to keep the price of the entry-level variants in check. And it turns out that we were right! The latest leaked user manual, the Hexa gets both the Varicor 320 and Varicor 400 setups of the 2.2-litre diesel engine. Another revelation is that the Hexa will also get the 4x4 automatic option.

We have already driven the Tata Hexa and you can find our first drive here. At the drive, we had the 154bhp Varicor 400 engine with two options - 4x4 with a six-speed manual gearbox and the six-speed automatic gearbox was offered only with the rear-wheel drive car. It seems that the 4x4 automatic setup is under development and Tata might be sneakily testing it amongst the several test mules that you still find running across the country. The 4x4 AT option will complete the Hexa portfolio in its challenge of the Mahindra XUV500 as well as the Innova Crysta. The Innova does not get four-wheel drive.

While the Varicor 400 develops 154bhp of power and 400Nm of torque, the Varicor 320 develops 148bhp of power and 320Nm of torque. The 80Nm less torque would take some grunt away from the Hexa but with the same setup on the two-tonne Safari, we are sure it will not feel underpowered. The Varicor 320 engine gets a five-speed manual gearbox only and will be offered only with the 2WD setup. As we have said before, this will help Tata get an aggressive sticker price for the Hexa which is slated to be launched in the month of January 2017.

With the Tiago doing well and demonetisation making the auto industry take a pause, Tata will be betting big on the Hexa to be a competitive option to the cash-strapped Innova buyers.