After making its debut at the 2016 Auto Expo earlier this year, the Tata Kite 5 has been spotted on test again, this time in a no-frills entry-level form. This much-awaited compact sedan is expected to hit the roads later this year or by early 2017.
Being a compact sedan, the Kite 5 will be less than 4m in length and is likely to have a wheelbase of around 2.47m. The front-end and the design up till the front door will be similar to that of the Tiago and the interior will be familiar too.
Mechanically, too, the Kite 5 will share majority of the bits with the Tiago. Tata will sell the former in both petrol and diesel engine options. Whereas the petrol will be a 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit with 83bhp and 114Nm of torque, the more efficient diesel is a 1.05-litre unit with 69bhp and 140Nm. Both engines will be offered with a 5-speed manual as standard though there is a possibility of an AMT option too.
Tata will position the Kite 5 as one of the most affordable vehicles in the compact sedan space. Besides the existing lot, the Kite 5 will compete with the upcoming Chevrolet Essentia.