Key highlights
- Tata Safari and Harrier are likely to get more powerful diesel engines
- Tata Motors acquires licensing rights for the 2.0 Multijet engine from Fiat
- Multiple power iterations of the 2.0L diesel engine expected soon
In a massive step up for the product expansion and future development, Tata Motors has acquired the licensing rights of the Fiat-sourced 2.0 Multijet diesel engine from Stellantis. Read the critical details of this deal and how it will benefit Tata below.
Also read: Mahindra Thar Roxx waiting period cut down to 6 months
Tata Safari and Harrier to get more power – New 2.0 Multijet engine incoming!
Tata Motors has successfully gained the licensing rights of the Fiat 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine, which is used on the Safari and Harrier SUVs.
As per the latest pact between Tata Motors and Stellantis, the Pune-based automaker will have the freedom to change the design and technical setup of the engine for further development.
Tata was stuck with a single 170 bhp iteration of the Multijet diesel engine due to the licensing rights, which were with Stellantis, until now.
Earlier, Tata has been building the 2.0 Multijet at its Ranjangaon plant under the licensing rights from Stellantis. This meant that any change to the engine or even the ECU required hefty fees to be paid to Stellantis, along with the approvals.
For example, a simple ECU re-tune of the engine would cost nearly 10 million Euros. With such big costs involved for little changes, Tata refrained from getting a different tune for the engine.
When the BS6 transition took place, the same licensing agreement limited Tata from producing multiple power iterations of the same engine. This is what Mahindra took advantage of because it had its own 2.2-litre m-Hawk diesel, which required no licensing rights or approval fees.
While the diesel engines are slowly being away out in India, a big chunk of full-size SUV sales comes from diesel engines themselves. Tata Motors, with only one diesel powertrain, has been trying hard to keep up with the constantly evolving segment.
On the other hand, Tata has been developing a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, which will soon be launched for Harrier and Safari with varying power outputs. Alongside, we expect new power output from the existing 2.0L Multijet for the Harrier and Safari soon.
Meanwhile, the IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) of the 2.0 Multijet remains with Fiat.
Our verdict
Tata Motors acquiring the licensing rights for the production and development of the Multijet diesel engine is going to be very beneficial for the brand. The company will not only be able to make new power output options, but it will also significantly save money for the brand.