Tata's upcoming new Kite hatchback spotted on test

Tata is developing a completely new hatchback under the project name 'Kite'. A test mule of the same was spotted taking rounds in Pune recently, thanks to our reader Sanjeevareddi Jeevanagoudra, who sent us this picture.

The camouflaged vehicle under test looks in a better form unlike the previous test mules that were spied with make-shift headlamps and tail lamps. This one sports wrap-around headlamps that merge into the honeycomb grille. The Kite hatchback is expected to be the latest iteration of the Indica and will be underpinned by a revised XO platform. It sports a tall-boy design and the top-end variants will be equipped with alloys, OVRMs integrated with blinkers and a spoiler.

The cabin of the Kite hatchback might be equipped with features similar to the ones in the new Bolt and Zest. The instrument cluster will get a white-lit background and the new car is expected to feature the latest technology from Tata’s Horizonext strategy. There are also speculations that the top-of-the-line model will get a touch-screen system with navigation option like the Bolt.

The hatchback is expected to borrow the powertrain from its current siblings. However, there is a possibility that the carmaker will introduce a new three-cylinder petrol and diesel engine with this  car. The lineup might then include a 1.2-litre petrol mill and a new 1.05-litre diesel mill. The five-speed manual transmission might be carried over, with the AMT gearbox as an option with the top-end variants.

Tata Motors is planning to launch a bunch of new cars in this fiscal in a bid to revamp its brand image and increase its market share. This will include the Kite hatchback and the Kite compact sedan. Both these will be made at the manufacturer's production facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The Kite hatchback might replace the Indica when launched and will rival the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Datsun GO and the Chevrolet Spark in the small-car segment.