Tata Sumo Grande

After the legendary launch of its Rs. 1 lakh super mini, Tata has yet again bedazzled the auto lovers. On the first day of the Auto Expo 2008, held in New Delhi, the company launched Tata Sumo Grande, a freshened version of the old horse, Tata Sumo. Going by the name ‘Grande’, it has everything to catch your attention, especially with its grand and chiselled looks. The new SUV look of Grande has been combined with the comforts of a family car. The underpinning of the new model still has a lot of sumo in it, with the massive size and handsome looks smartly retained, while giving way to finer moderations.

 

Sumo Grande has been designed by the Concept Group in Britain, evident in its modern design. Tata Motors has previously worked with this Digital Documents solution company. The angular shape of Grande makes it look sleeker. Flowing lines, V-shaped grille and flowing bumper have also cut down on some excess headroom. The tapering passenger windows embellish the look of the car and the tail lights give it a fresh touch. The car has a SUV-like two-box look, bonnet and passenger cabin. However, the regular Sumo look is retained with finer moderations in design.

 

Tata Sumo Grande boasts of features like 3 row seating, beige colored interiors, fire and stain resistant upholstery, power steering, power windows, temperature control, height adjustable driver seat and CD/MP3 music system. A great deal of effort has been put to ensure passenger comfort. The driving seat and steering can be adjusted according to the height of the driver, to make driving a truly enjoyable experience. Both the front seats also have adjustable lumbar support.  Enough space is available under the front seats to stretch your legs.

 

The technical specifications include 2.2 (DICOR) engine, longer wheelbase of 2550 mm, maximum power and torque of 120 PS and 250 Nm and turning circle radius of 5.25 m for extra maneuverability. There is no let up in acceleration till around 3500 rpm. You can shift a gear early without bothering about the ability of the car to pull forward. Grande has an impressive refinement with the vibration of diesel at idle only to be heard as a distant buzz. It has a stable movement even on a speed as high as 120 kph.

 

Grande is a rather neat blend of style, safety and technology. Better stability to the riders, courtesy adjustable seat and steering, ensures good safety for the drivers and others as well. You can even turn in with its power steering on a busy road.

Sumo Grande is available in 3 variants - Lx, Ex and Gx, with two seating configurations, 6+1 and 7+1. Moreover, this heavy duty, yet elegant beauty is available in seven shades, including 4 new ones - Sunset Orange, Zephyr Green, Mineral Red and Marine Blue. Grande comes with a launch price between Rs.6.55 lakhs to Rs.7.49 lakhs, along with a warranty of 2 years or 75000 kms (which ever is earlier). This can be further extended up to two additional years in an extended warranty scheme.