13/08/2014
Tata launches Zest sedan
Tata Motors has launched the Zest compact sedan in India starting at Rs 4.64 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the petrol variant and Rs 5.64 lakh for the diesel. With class-leading design and features, the Zest is a revolution in Tata’s passenger car business.
You might not realise it’s a Tata until you see the badge, because the overall styling of the Zest completely sets it off from the Indicas and the Indigos. However, from certain angles you might notice a little resemblance with the Vista, with which the Zest shares its platform.
The signature smiley grille now looks more aggressive with the balanced use of black and chrome. The lower front is adorned by a svelte, sculpted bumper with fog lamps and daytime running lights.
The look is far more upscale, thanks to the projector headlights with light guide rings, a segment first feature.
A strong shoulder line leads your eye to the graceful rear end, which is accented by wraparound LED taillights and a bold chrome strip.
The Zest comes with 15-inch wheels and has a very tall stance, which doesn’t really harmonize with the proportions of a sub-4 metre sedan. On the flipside, you get best in class ground clearance of 175mm that makes total sense on our wretched roads.
Open the door and you will be surprised that the cabin is a world away from Tatas of old. Tata’s undying effort to improve interior quality has borne fruit in the form of a fabulous dashboard.
The design and quality of the dual-tone dashboard is certainly on par with the rest of the class and even some of the more expensive models.
The steering wheel has shrunk, and not only looks sportier, but also makes it easier for swift manoeuvres. The instrument cluster is elegant with chrome inserts, framing the analogue speedo/tacho along with digital readouts for the fuel gauge, instant/average consumption and trip computer
The centre console is equally ambitious, dominated by contemporary AC vent design and a beautifully integrated infotainment system. The touchscreen display offers easy access to various controls including audio, temperature and telephone along with voice recognition and parking assist
Voice commands can control music, temperature, fan speed and the connected mobile phone, while the system impressively recognizes any Indian accent. The 8-speaker Harman audio system is the best in class, too. Interestingly, the same audio system is available even on the lower variants sans the touchscreen
Although lack of leather seats and leather wrapped steering wheel take a toll on the overall interior quality, the seats are very supportive and comfortable for long drives.
Cabin space has always been the USP of Tata cars and the Zest keeps up with the tradition. 390 litres of boot capacity, however, is a notch below its rivals and suspension turrets intrude on the space
There’s good news under the bonnet as well. Tata’s indigenously developed 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine has made its debut on the Zest. Aided by a turbocharger, the four-cylinder engine develops an amazing 90PS and 140 Nm of torque.
The turbo kicks in at a very low rpm, thus delivering enough low-end grunt to manoeuvre through traffic. You can switch between three drive modes – Sport, City and Eco – but there’s scant difference between City and Eco modes.
The Sport mode, however, adds some spirit to driving. You’ll also like the pleasing engine note. Assisted by a five-speed manual transmission, it manages three digit speeds without breaking a sweat
The diesel variant is powered by the familiar 1.3-litre Quadrajet with 90PS and 200Nm on tap. The Fiat-sourced engine is already known for its strong mid range and good driveability, but what makes it more appealing is the company of an AMT under Zest’s hood.
AMT (Automatic Manual Transmission) is nothing but a regular manual gearbox, which changes gears with the help of an electrohydraulic mechanism controlled by the ECU. Effectively, you get the convenience of driving an automatic with a manual gearbox in your car.
While the AMT offers great practicality and makes Zest the cheapest diesel automatic in India, it isn’t as quick or smooth as an automatic transmission. Once you get used to the transmission, it will be a blessing in urban traffic but the lag between gearshifts makes it sluggish on highways
It is equipped with Sport mode for a better throttle map and improved engine responsiveness but the AMT doesn’t give you the best of the engine. However, you can use the the gearlever-operated tiptronic manual for a more engaging drive. A five-speed manual gearbox is also available, which I didn’t get a chance to drive but expect to be the most fun-to-drive of all.
When I first looked at the Zest, I assumed it to be a little too tall for a roll-free drive. But thanks to improved suspension and chassis, Zest can handle corners in a manner you wouldn't have dreamed of with a Tata vehicle. The Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) offers light responses perfectly suited to low-speed manoeuvring and there’s ample feedback at three digit speeds as well.
Looking at the design, features, dynamics and improvement in quality, one can easily say that the Zest is a revolution in Tata’s passenger car business. Tata has also promised to revamp the dealerships and service centres to give Zest the well-deserved treatment. If that promise is kept, no doubt, the Zest will go down in history as the car that changed the face of Tata
