A Suitable Tata – First Impression of Tata’s New Sedan

There are certain traits that are unique to Tata vehicles. A set of peculiar and persistent glitches, that all Tata owners thus far, are intimately familiar with. The throbbing and penetrative start up of the coarse engine, the racket of vibrations intruding the cabin, the funky electricals that have a mind of their own, the air conditioner blower that varies speed not by human input but depending on the car’s mood, the snail-paced and uneven gaining of momentum; and most of all, the inescapable feeling of being a Taxi!

Despite all the above and much more, we purchase and persevere relentlessly in our Tata cars. They are fuel efficient, cheap to repair, offer plentiful space, and above all, are the most car the Indian rupee will fetch. To put it bluntly, each Tata passenger vehicle represents the highest value option in its respective class. And for that reason alone, quality and other issues notwithstanding, people have been lapping up vehicles coming out of the stable.

Given all this background (and that I too am a Tata vehicle owner myself, making me part of the ‘unfortunate millions’); I was recently presented with a a rather ‘odd’ bit of news. The newly launched Tata Indigo Manza, was actually garnering rave reviews from auto critics & pundits (read reviews in the recently released November issues of the major Indian auto magazines)! Noteworthy here, is this praise was above and beyond the ‘great value proposition’ (which is how one had gotten used to reading otherwise rubbished reviews on Tata cars being concluded) attribute. Needless to mention, my curiosity was aroused to uncomfortable levels, and I promptly found myself on the phone, asking my dealer to send me a ‘Manza’ to test drive!

So I am at the foot of my apartment building. As I await the test car’s arrival, I marvel at the rave reviews of this new Tata sedan. For those unfamiliar, here’s a quick recap of the genesis of the Manza. Tata’s staple model Indica had spawned many a variant in its last generation. Key to this model extension (platform sharing) was the Sedan based on the Indica – the Indigo. Though the Indigo made the Indica hatch a proper 3 box sedan, the body style is where the differences ceased. The rest of the Indigo (though especially popular with the Taxi service for its frugality plus boot space) mirrored the worst of the Indica even more glaringly. The same crudeness, unpolished, unsophisticated mechanicals et all. The new Indigo Manza (a theoretically similar derivative of the new Indica Vista, as was Indigo to Indica), did not solicit too much excitement in me, assuming of course that it would, like the Indigo, be a stretched version of the new Vista hatchback…

Recap done, we are back at me waiting for the new Manza at my building entrance. The car is late (as expected in Mumbai traffic, which by the way, has no ‘rush hour’ left, since it is rush hour 24-7). Just as I reach for my cell phone to dial the concerned sales person, I see a gleaming maroon car come towards me head on. Evocative, not necessarily a term I would associate with a Tata. But the face of the new Manza, with its double barreled headlamp clusters, unapologetic chrome grill, and immaculate paint job; does at least head on, stir something inside you. I am relieved that the car has finally arrived. Simultaneously, my anxiety is increased. So the car looks great at first glance, now if it does not drive well, it will be an even bigger anti-climax.

The sales person hops off the driver seat and greets me. I dismiss his salutation with a preoccupied indifference. As I walk along the length of the car, the sense of well-being stays! This car looks extremely well put together (for a Tata). Yes, I submit to the critics’ complaint about the shut lines, especially of the front doors, being too wide. But then, even Mercedes cars are notorious for their gaping shut lines. Besides, the exterior, and the entire package the Manza is, must be viewed in perspective. Just like you’d be wrong to compare a new model of a Hyundai with benchmark German hatchbacks, the Manza too, ought to be critiqued in the context of its own predecessor first, then the other competitors in the segment. Bottom line, save for the bulbous rear (which frankly, in the interests of a large boot, restricts being fashioned too aesthetically), the Manza has a bold, striking face, and a fluid profile – giving the car an overall pleasing form. Neither offensive (in the way that its benchmark rival Swift D’zire is), nor innately fashionable (in the manner the Fiat Linea is). Somewhere in the middle – which is a good thing. It is neutral for the most part – and at least in the looks department, is all the better for it, as it will have wider appeal than cars that are too much one way or the other.

Thoroughly impressed with the exterior, it quickly dawns on me that I will next be confronted with a core Tata weakness – the interior! It is not a very enticing realization! Take it from me people, after suffering the gruff interiors of my Tata Indica for 2 years, one’s expectations from a Tata vehicle interior are next to nil. My skepticism looms large, as I am ushered towards the driver’s seat by the persistent (despite my earlier dismissal) sales person. As the door is flung open, the first thing I notice is that it does not continue to travel unendingly, like is the case with a lot of the ‘Japanese & Koren’ origin cars (that feel decidedly flimsy and tinny). I am almost cringing at the thought of actually getting in. And what do I see – surprise surprise! There is actually an interior that resembles that of a modern day sedan! Come to think of it, the sales person must have thought I suffer from multiple-personality-disorder. From grim, my body language transforms to sprightly and I almost snatch the car keys from him and get in! My surprise turns to shock. Good shock, mind you. The Manza’s interiors have been described by auto-pundits as the most convincing in a Tata car yet. But I can tell you with an unbiased confidence, they are good by the competition’s standards too. Those familiar with the unconventional central layout of the instrument cluster in the new Vista will immediately notice that that bit of eccentricity has been done away with. The instrument cluster is back where it traditionally belongs, in front of the driver’s direct view forward. The dashboard has been thoroughly redesigned, and houses a neatly integrated set of equipment. ‘Set of equipment’, you wonder! Yes, it goes somewhat like this. The top of the dash begins with a slim multi-info display that puts out time and fuel economy figures (both instant and average). Moving on, next in line is a nice, upmarket looking entertainment system. To my sheer delight, I learn that this system (being as it is on the top-end Aura+ variant), is a bluetooth enabled 6 speaker music system. One can sync upto 5 individual cell phones (along with their phone books) and make & receive calls totally hands-free (with additional ease of operation via the steering-mounted controls, that are a tad too small, but hassle free once you are used to the size). Yes, I remind you again here, that we are inside a Tata car! Next to the entertainment system are 2 inputs for the music system – both auxiliary and USB! Finally, some really natty looking air-con controls round off the package. Aside from the equipment, there is the ever-present gargantuan interior space (a hallmark of erstwhile Tata cars, preserved just as). Yes, the critics still continue to crib about the fit & finish being sub-global levels. I counter that by saying, would you rather spend time in the crammed make-do interior of the D’zire (which really is the exact same interior of the Swift hatchback), or be in the modern and packed-to-the-gills confines of the Manza? Save for a few hardly noticeable inferior plastics, I feel there is nothing failing the Manza’s interior. Yes, it is emphatically Tata’s best, but it will also do its segment proud!

My expectations way surpassed, we decide to take the Manza out for a little spin. Once again, my thus far gained optimism is shattered at the thought of driving this car. I desperately want the ‘illusion of goodness’ (created by the exterior & interior) to remain, and I suspect that driving the Manza, will certainly dispel the feel good factor. I am in for yet another shock.

I tentatively push the key into the ignition and crank it. No pounding, shattering eruption! The Fiat sourced diesel unit (the same engine that does duty on the Linea) springs to life, not entirely silently, but very much like a refined new-age oil-burner. I check myself for the umpteenth time. This is the Tata Manza. I then slot the exquisitely finished gear lever into first, and the car urges forward, self assured and smooth. We exit the building, going over the steep speed breaker on our way out. This first obstacle is ironed out nicely by the Manza’s soft suspension. Another surprise. As I move up the rev range and change gears, I notice the shift quality also, is a quantum leap over earlier Tata cars. The rubbery feeling of not knowing which slot one is placing the cog into is gone. Instead, though not Japanese-smooth, the gear change is surer and hassle-free. We reach an open stretch and I decide to floor the throttle. The Manza does not lunge forward (the way more accomplished performers like the Honda City would), but I am amazed at its linear, fuss-free power delivery. Gone are the inconsistent spurts of power (in any case too few and far between) that was the norm in earlier Tata cars. What you get instead is a thoroughly capable machine, that feels like it is up to the task of munching away highway miles. As the speed builds up, I notice that the cabin noise levels (which until before the Manza were dominated by engine intrusion & raucous wind noise owing to the poor dynamics) are largely arrested. One can now glide at fair amount of pace, and enjoy the sweet sounds of the music system. Vehicle stability is also hugely improved and the Manza feels reassuringly planted on the ground. Like I said, the entire driving experience is nothing close to hair-raising (in the good kind of way), but when compared to earlier Tata vehicles, is exponentially more settled, mature, even involving (which is one trait no Tata car could, until now be accused of)!

Yes, the car still pitches and rolls around fast corners. Yes, there is still miles to go in achieving dynamic ability on par with other International brands. Yes, there are still moments where you wonder if all the driving poise is short-lived, and if the quality will be sustained (Tata cars are also notorious for breaking down and susceptible to faster wear and tear then others). And with all that essential hardware like engine & transmission being sourced from other brands, one questions how much of Tata’s own growth is responsible for the Manza’s prowess. The truth though, is that Tata has come a really, really long way. There is enough proof in the Manza to suggest that while certain realities and doubts exist, what is also undeniable is how far Tata has taken its own game with the Manza.

Just as my mind is battling with all this, we return to my apartment building and park right alongside my old faithful, Tata’s first Indica! Stepping out, the few shreds of doubt in my mind vanish. Seeing two generations of Tatas standing next to one another, there is only one conclusion. Tata has, at long last, arrived! It has now become a car manufacturer that ought to be taken much more seriously. And for all the other auto giants resting on their laurels, Tata vehicles being the least of their worries – I can only caution them. Once people drive the Manza, their ‘D’zire’ to opt for the competitively priced (range between 5-8 lacs) Manza, might well give the ‘Lineas’ of the world, a run for their money. For all of you out there looking for a good, sensible, entry level sedan, the Tata Manza is indeed, a ’suitable Tata’!

[Kartik Bajoria, a regular contributor, runs his own creative agency called BOLD & is also involved in Films & Music as a force of habit!]

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