Tata has been readying its upcoming micro-SUV in our market for quite some time now. In fact, people have been eagerly waiting for the HBX (Hornbill) ever since they first had a glimpse of the concept at Auto Expo last year. By the looks of it, it looked promising and in line with the current trend of SUVs globally. Tata, at the time, had also announced that the concept showcased at the Auto Expo is almost identical to the production-spec making the potential customers even more excited. Thereafter, we have seen a couple of spy shots of the HBX (Hornbill) indicating the same. Now some rumours are in the air suggesting the launch in July 2021. Let us see what to expect from the upcoming micro-SUV.
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Tata HBX (Hornbill) – Expected Exteriors
The outside of the HBX could almost be identical to the concept showcased in the Auto Expo. Some of the spy shots reveal the blue colour of the HBX with stylish alloy wheels, along with the typical split headlamp setup on the bumper down below. The LED DRLs will be featured on the bonnet highlighting the modern design language of the brand. The front grille is massive and broad and the bumpers are sporty. The overall appearance is that of a muscular and upright SUV. The side profile highlights the roof rails along with the door handles on the top of the rear door along with pronounced wheel arches. The taillamps seem to be the wrap-around type extending to the sides of the SUV. It may sit well with a lot of customers who are looking for a muscular and rugged-looking SUV for semi-urban and rural usage.
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Tata HBX (Hornbill) – Expected Interiors and Features
Tata will surely equip the HBX with all the modern amenities and features. There is a flat-bottom steering wheel which is becoming very popular with modern cars including some of Tata’s own products. This gives it a very sporty feel which is necessary for an SUV. Some of the other equipment lists include a floating Digital Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Air-Con vents and Digital Instrument Cluster which might be borrowed from other Tata products. This will ensure cost-cutting and still high-quality interiors. As seen in the Auto Expo 2020, the quality of the fit and finish is expected to be high.
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Tata HBX (Hornbill) – Expected Powertrains, Prices and Rivals
The expected engine options might include a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine making 86hp. There might well be turbo petrol on offer as well. This engine will come mated to a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT gearbox, which was also spied earlier. This will prove to be a huge advantage in its favour to offer the micro-SUV with engine and transmission options. The expected prices of the Tata HBX are likely to be in the region of Rs 4 lakh to Rs 8 lakh, ex-showroom. The Tata HBX is likely to be launched in July 2021. The list of rivals includes Renault Kwid, Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and Ignis, which are all very popular in the segment already and the upcoming micro-SUV from Hyundai, which is codenamed AX1. It was teased recently ahead of its global debut.
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