The Hindu : Business : Indigo Marina from Tata stable

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 20, 2004

Business

Business

Indigo Marina from Tata stable

TO SET a new benchmark in style, space and comfort, Tata Motors, one of the leading automotive manufacturers, showcased the Indigo Marina, its new estate at a press-preview at its manufacturing facility in Pune last week. The Marina is the fifth model from the company and comes on the heels of the launch of the Tata Indigo sedan in December 2002.

The Tata Marina will be aspiring to be in the premium C segment. It does combine the luxury of a sedan and the convenience of a multipurpose vehicle and will be available in three models of petrol and two models of diesel and in five attractive colours.

Exterior styling with roof rails, integrated glass house and roof high sparkling tail lights and clear head lamps give the Marina an international look. Both petrol and diesel version engines have one thing in common — the engine block. They both share the same 1400 cc power plant but with different combustion systems. One powered with a petrol MPFI (85 BHP) and the other with a diesel fired 62 BHP turbo charged head.

An innovative design ensures the maximum utilisation of interior space (670 litres of trunk space) that can be converted into a cavernous 1370 litres of storage space with the rear seats flipped forward. A retractable and removable hard parcel shelf that covers the trunk and at the same time allows access to the trunk from within. A low sill height ensures that baggage can be loaded and removed without much strain to the back. There are enough utility pockets and compartments for small store-aways including a neat parcel shelf tucked away in the roof just above the luggage area and intelligently covered with a net to keep away flying objects hitting the passengers while braking. A 12V DC power socket at the rear, besides one for the front passengers, is an added convenience for charging your mobile phone while on the move. Despite the fact that it is 5 mm shorter than its predecessor the Indigo sedan has enough space in the back for a six-footer to sit comfortably in spite of the fact that the front seat is pushed back.

It can turn in just 5m radius and wears 14 inch wheels with three-link independent rear suspension and gas filled shock absorbers. While having a good rear seat comfort it also has three independent head restraints along with seat belts not forgetting the compulsory front seat belts.

The rear doors open almost at 90 degrees, allowing easy entry and exit.

Speaking on the showcasing occasion, V. Sumantran. Executive Director (Engineering Research Centre and Passenger Car Business Unit), did not divulge its price till the day of official launch on September 15, allowing enough time for the feed back of the journalists. Finally the company sprang a surprise by pricing it in the range of Rs. 4.24 lakhs to Rs. 5.19 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the range of three models of petrol and two models of diesel in five attractive colours. The base petrol model comes with manual steering and air-conditioning as standard features at Rs. 4.24 lakhs while the top end petrol model is priced at Rs. 4.84 lakhs. The base diesel version comes with heating and air conditioning, power steering and body coloured bumpers as standard at Rs. 4.80 lakhs while the top end diesel model is priced at Rs. 5.19 lakhs.

The Marina has been launched with an 18 month unlimited kilometre warranty and will be available through 130 dealerships backed by a 500-strong service network across 200 cities.

Mr. Rajiv Dube, Vice President (Commercial — Passenger Car Business) of Tata Motors told the visiting journalists on September 14 that they were trying to emulate Mercedes Benz at least in keeping the family likeness for all its products. According to him all the Tata Indica, the Indigo and the Marina will look the same in the rear view mirror of your car.

Tata Motors has tried to have launched the Marina in order to match its competitors — the Baleno of Maruti and the Fiat Weekender — for what it offers at the price that they cannot match in their wildest dreams.

Watch out B Plus segment cars, here I come!

Tutu Dhawan

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business

News Update

Stories in this Section

New Basel norms to change complexion of banking

More than monetary measures

Indigo Marina from Tata stable

Web feed tools

Stocks rally to new highs