Tata Motors has launched the facelifted Tigor EV in India, a few weeks after the model was first revealed in mid-August this year.
Available in three trim levels – XE, XM and XZ+ – pricing for the Tigor EV starts at 1.199 million Indian rupees (RM68,299) and peaks at INR 1.314 million (RM74,850) for the range-topping XZ+ with a two-tone paint scheme.
The low starting price makes the Tigor EV the most affordable EV available to private buyers in India currently that ranges from INR 1.399-1.685 million (RM79,659-95,944).
Highlights of the new Tigor EV include Tata’s Ziptron powertrain that features an electric architecture operating at 300+ volts.
The setup includes a front e-motor (with a single-speed transmission) providing 75 PS (74 hp or 55 kW) and 170 Nm of torque, which is good enough for the compact sedan to get from rest to 60 km/h in 5.7 seconds.
Powering the e-motor (that also provides regenerative braking) is a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack with an energy capacity of 26 kWh, which is good for an range of 306 km, certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). This is, again, an improvement over the 21.5-kWh battery used previously that offered just 213 km of range.
For charging,the new model uses the Type 2 standard, and with a 15 A plug point, it’ll take eight hours and 45 minutes to get from a 0-80% state of charge (SoC).
Tata didn’t provide detailed information about the Tigor EV’s AC charging capabilities, but based on India’s single-phase voltage standard of 230 volts paired with a 15 A point, the vehicle’s onboard charger should theoretically be able to handle up to 3.45 kW of power.
As for DC fast charging, the car uses the CCS2 standard and any DC charger capable of 25 kW will get the battery from a 0-80% SoC in just 65 minutes.
Tata says that it has tested the Ziptron powertrain over 35 million km of real-world driving conditions across India’s diverse and challenging landscape, adding that the battery pack and e-motor have an IP67 rating. To further back up the reliability claims, customers will also get an eight-year, 160,000 km warranty on both components.
Compared to the regular internal combustion engine Tigor, the EV model has a closed-off front grille, while the lower intake has smaller apertures – both have a Mercedes-Benz-like mesh pattern on them. The interior is also largely the same, with notable changes being a circular dial for the gear selector and the inclusion of a digital instrument cluster with blue EV accents.
In terms of available equipment, the list includes 14-inch wheels with low rolling resistance 175/65 tyres, projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED taillights, fog lamps fabric upholstery, automatic air-conditioning, keyless entry and start and a cooled glove box.
For entertainment, the base XE has none, but the XM comes with a 3.5-inch system by Harman and four speakers. Stepping up to the top XZ+ nets you a larger seven-inch touchscreen along with four additional tweeters, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, steering-mounted controls and a reverse camera instead of just sensors.
Safety-wise, the vehicle gets two airbags (front passengers), ABS, EBD and electronic stability control, all of which contribute to a four-star safety rating from Global NCAP (GNCAP). The Tigor EV is the first EV ever tested by GNCAP, and it certainly impressed Alejandro Furas, secretary general of Global NCAP, who said, “Tata has shown consistent safety improvements throughout its fleet range.”
“The Tigor demonstrates that improvements are also possible with EV models, which can pose a technical challenge because of the electric powertrain system. Tata should be recognised and applauded for this commitment to improving their vehicles in response to Global NCAP’s call to democratise vehicle safety,” he added.
Catat Ulasan