The Tata Indica XL Diesel Hatchback continues doing the testing rounds!

Our roving eye in the sky, EarthFusion, is back at it again, and this time around, we have a couple of spyshots of the Tata Indica XL being tested in Pune. We’ve previously as well and have even come up with a render. Curiously, Tata Motors didn’t showcase the Indica XL at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo, which could mean that it will still be some more time before this car is launched in India. The Tata Indica XL is a super stretched version of the Tata Indica hatchback, and is expected to be mainly aimed at the cabbie market.

Tata Indica XL Hatchback Spied

The Indica XL is expected to be powered by a common rail CR4 diesel engine, the likes of which powers the current Tata Indica eV2. If launched, the Tata Indica XL will not be the first Tata car to feature an elongated wheelbase. In fact, the Tata Indigo XL is a sedan based on the Indigo platform, which comes with an extended wheelbase. The Indigo XL has found more favor with the cabbie crowd than the personal car buyer thus far and this is the same direction that the Indica XL is expected to take in the future. So far, many Tata cars have been quite successful in the taxi segment.

Tata Indica XL Rendering

The Tata Indica is already a firm favorite with Indian cabbies and with the Indica XL, Tata Motors would only be hoping to make further inroads into this lucrative sector. The Indica’s biggest pluses is its frugality and access to dirt cheap spares. This will be the same strengths that the Indica XL is expected to come with. The Indica XL is expected to have a massive cabin at the rear, with plenty of space to stretch around. Rear AC vents could make it to the Indica XL, in keeping with the overall feel of spaciousness and luxury.

Source: ICB

Cabbie special Tata Indica XL CR4 scooped

At the 1998 Indian Auto Expo, a proud Ratan Tata introduced the Indica, Tata Motors’ first monocoque passenger car, as a car that will rival the Zen in its outer dimensions, the Ambassador in its size, a diesel car in running costs and a Maruti 800 in terms of the initial purchase cost. The Indica has lived true to its underpinnings as a very spacious and robust car that is very affordable own and run although the car did and does have its fair share of niggles.

Space has never been a constraint in the Indica and the proof of the pudding are the thousands of cabbies in India who swear by the Indica’s cavernous and comfortable interiors. Now, almost 13 years later, the Indica could get an all new variant, for the market which it has become synonymous with, the Tata Indica XL cabbie special. What is so special about this car, you may ask? We’ll tell you that just in a bit, but before that, we want you to take a long hard look at the spy shot of the Tata Indica XL CR4 our roving eye in the sky.

As is evident from the image, the Tata Indica XL is a stretched wheelbase version of the Tata Indica. Move over the Nissan Sunny Sedan which calls itself the Caaaaar, this is the real deal when it comes to a stretched car that will offer supreme comfort to its rear seat occupants. So, space and rear seat comfort are somethings that will be the biggest USP of the Tata Indica XL. EarthFusion also reports that the car featured rear AC vents and more luxurious interiors than the bare bones Indicab.

So, the focus is clearly on a hatchback that will put many sedans to shame when it comes to the sheer comfort it offers for the back benchers. Also, this car will feature a turbo charged, common rail diesel engine unlike the indirect injection Indicab diesels. Pricing too is expected make it a favorite of the cabbies, at whom the Tata Indica XL is squarely targeted at. One question however remains, will such a car sell well considering that the Tata Indigo XL, another Tata car with an elongated wheelbase hasn’t really set the hustings on fire despite having great space and supreme rear set comfort?

Source: Indian Cars Bikes