Tata Sumo Facelift: Tata Sumo, the car that has come to symbolise tough utility in India’s car culture over the years is set to undergo a massive change.
Tata Motors wishes to revitalize this legendary brand by giving it a thorough facelift, giving a nod to its heritage while incorporating modern design and technological advancements.
Tata Sumo Facelift: Legacy of Durability
Launched in 1994, the Tata Sumo very rapidly made its presence felt, becoming the quintessential all purpose vehicle which served both rural and urban India.
This utility vehicle, named after former Chairman Sumant Moolgaokar (Su-Mo), will always be known for its reliability and pragmatism.
It was embraced by fleet operators, government agencies and families needing a tough people-mover, disdaining gimmicks in favor of its boxy shape and matter-of-fact approach to transportation.
For close to 30 years, the Sumo established its credentials as one of the most durable vehicles on India’s tough roads.
Although a lot has changed since then for passenger car segments with the advent of globalization and subsequently the ever evolving consumer preferences, the core attractiveness of the Sumo’s no-nonsense utility proposal still holds true for a majority of the country.
An Evolution In Design For The Modern Age
“The all-new Safari is a potent, powerful and well proportioned machine that can haul around an entire family in style while also being efficient, comfortable and truly off-road capable.”
Upon such a trusted nameplate that has proved not just its off-road prowess but all-round capabilities to a generation of SUV lovers, Tata Motors has developed out a great product apt for the next generation, retaining only the iconic monicker.
Design images and test mule sightings have revealed that the new Sumo will not be as brash as before, but will feature more modern styling, keeping it in line with the design of Tata models available today.
The most apparent change is the new front fascia with slimmer LED headlamps and a signature Tata pattern grille. The aerodynamic bumper also features fog lamp housings cut-out with sleak LED DRLs, giving the T60 a high-end personality, despite its roots being based on practicality.
In profile, the Sumo retains its Type A boxy profile, with a few tweaks to reduce the drag penalty without sacrificing passenger or cargo space. Modern touches include new alloy wheel designs and body cladding that accentuates its toughness.
It’s the cabin where the greatest divergence from the old Sumo’s no-nonsense tendencies is most noticeable. Redesigned with an eye toward better ergonomics and more comfort, the cabin doesn’t stray too far from the practicality of its predecessors.
The dashboard is much more contemporary too, with a freestanding infotainment system with a smorgasbord of smartphone connectivity options that weren’t even in the wildest dreams of the folks that first rolled out the Sumo.
There are significant improvements in quality of materials and construction, better insulation against wind noise and more supportive seats for longer trips. It should have different seating options and flexible seating, just like its predecessor, the Sumo.
An Array of Power and Drivetrains for Changing Preferences
On the mechanical front, the Sumo facelift will be powered by the latest-generation engines from Tata beyond what levels of performance, fuel efficiency and emissions compliance performance.
The base motor will likely be a reworked version of Tata’s 2.2-litre diesel which bodes well given the better torque figures which are so vital for the use the car will be put to.
Industry analysts add Tata may also bring in other powerplants to comply with changing regulations and changing consumer tastes.
Transmission choices are anticipated as being manual and automatic, the automatic in particular indicative of the concession to increasing urban usage.
The heavy feel is one of the vehicle’s few positive attributes, and the stout four-wheel-drive system is still optional, ensuring it can get around in the dirt.
Tata Sumo Facelift: Positioning in the Market and Prospective Future
The Sumo facelift comes with a completely different market than the one it took by a storm originally. In this age of mini SUVs and crossovers, Tata seems to be marketing the new Sumo as a pragmatic alternative whose bold design isn’t just for show.
This practical decision recognises there remains a cultural necessity for more utilitarian vehicles, rather than always those styled or designed by a fashion house.
The Sumo This years have so far managed to appeal only to the hardcore tourer types and not the urban mindset, but then the product proposition hasn’t been urban minded living and that’s not going to change in a hurry While the well-heeled masses may flock towards more lifestyle product propositions, the Sumos bread and butter – durability, space efficiency and value remains a veritable statement for vast cross sections of the Indian populace.
Tata Motors Despite being a challenging time, in its transformation as a modern automotive company, the Sumo refresh is a good case study of the evolution of an utilitarian icon for contemporary times.
The all-new Sumo looks to carry on as a reliable workhorse for Indian mobility in years ahead by being true to its past while adapting itself to modern needs.