Tata Motors will make the most of its ownership of Jaguar Land Rover with a new global-market SUV in 2019.
Called the Harrier, the model is tasked with boosting the Indian car maker’s fortunes in its home market, plus the Middle Eastern and African regions.
Based on the H5X concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show, the production Harrier’s design has been teased in a video (below).
While the overall style and large proportions remain, the production version appears to have toned down a little of the concept’s exterior boldness. Its interior is yet to be seen, but Tata promises best-in-class quality, space and connectivity.
The Harrier will share a significant amount under the skin with current Land Rover models, showing Tata’s push upmarket from its budget roots. It sits on the brand’s Omega modular architecture, which is a version of Land Rover’s D8 platform adapted to suit Indian road conditions.
The D8 platform underpins the current Range Rover Evoque, seven-seat Land Rover Discovery Sport and Jaguar E-Pace SUVs. Five and seven-seat versions of the Harrier are expected.
In India, the Harrier will be powered by a Fiat Chrysler-sourced 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine in two states of tune. Four-wheel-drive will be available, while there's potential for a hybrid variant later in the car’s lifecycle.
Tata as a brand has no presence in the UK, but the new SUV’s success could significantly impact the chances of it arriving here in the future.
Lawrence Allan
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