Tata Motors has teased a new edition of the Tata Hexa 7-seater SUV called the ‘Hexa Safari Edition’. The Tata Hexa was launched in the Indian market in January 2017 and since was the flagship model of the brand until the Tata Harrier 5-seater SUV was launched in January 2019. Tata plans to launch the 7-seater version of the Harrier called the ‘Gravitas’, soon.
It is being speculated that once Tata launches the 7-seater Gravitas it might discontinue production on the Tata Hexa. The Gravitas will be launched with a BS6 compliant engine and Tata is yet to upgrade the BS4 engine currently available on the Hexa. With the Hexa Safari Edition, Tata may be bidding goodbye to the Hexa 7-seater SUV as Gravitas which is again a 7-seater SUV will succeed its position in the brand’s line-up.
The Tata Hexa Safari Edition is likely to get cosmetic changes to its interior such as the seat upholstery and may get rugged aesthetic changes to its exteriors. Under the hood, the Hexa Safari Edition is likely to be powered by the BS4 compliant 2.2-litre Varicor 400, 4-cylinder diesel engine that makes 156PS of power and 400 Nm of torque coupled to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Tata also sells the Hexa with a less powerful 2.2-litre Varicor 320, 4-cylinder Diesel engine that makes 150PS of power and 320Nm of torque which comes with a 5-speed manual transmission. The ‘Safari Edition’ is likely to come with the more powerful Varicor 400 engine option.
The Hexa comes with a drivetrain that powers only front wheels or a four-wheel-drive and the Tata Hexa Safari Edition is likely to be sold as a 4X4, four-wheel-drive, model. In terms of the exterior dimensions, the Tata Hexa is 4788mm in length, 1900mm in width and 1785mm in height with a wheelbase of 2750mm.
The pricing on the Tata Hexa starts at INR 13.25 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi and the ‘Hexa Safari Edition’ will most likely be priced at a premium and is expected to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2020.
Will the ‘Hexa Safari Edition’ be the end of the line for the 7-seater SUV? Or will the brand upgrade the Hexa to upcoming BS6 emission standards? The question remains…