Indica has been an important car for Tata. Ever since its launch in
1998, the car has evolved into a capable and practical hatchback that
always stayed on top of sales charts. Now in its latest Vista D90
avatar, Indica has shifted the goal posts to another pitch. Powered by a
specially tuned Quadrajet diesel engine, the new Indica is a completely
different animal that delivers 90PS of raw power. However, does it live
up to the hype? I recently spent two days behind the wheel of the D90
to find that out.
Design
Tata has thrown in some new design elements that
reflect the sportiness of the car. However, the new bumpers and an
aerodynamic rear spoiler seen in the pictures are not part of the
original D90, but a body kit that you may purchase from the dealership.
What come as standard are just a contrasting roof and the D90 badge at
the rear.
When it comes to the interiors, the D90 receives major changes. The
Manza-inspired dashboard looks pretty neat and thankfully the
centre-mounted instrument cluster is back to where it belongs. The
quality of dials and other bits and bobs have drastically improved. The
moonlit white illumination looks classy and creates a pleasant ambiance
at night.
The centre console now houses a small digital screen
that shows real-time and average fuel consumption, distance-to-empty,
ambient temperature and a digital clock. You also get a large
multicolour touchscreen console that combines the entertainment,
navigation and communication functions.
Other convenience features include 2-way adjustable steering wheel
with audio/Bluetooth controls, 6-way height adjustable driver seat with
lumbar support, intelligent rear wiper, electrically adjusted ORVMs,
rear charging point and follow-me- home headlamps
The overall interior quality has commendably improved and like the
previous editions of Indica, the D90’s USP remains the cabin space- and a
lot of it.
Performance, Ride and Handling
The Quadrajet diesel engine helped by a variable
geometry turbocharger and tweaked ECU develops 89bhp of power and 200 Nm
of torque. As the figures suggest, the motor snarls pleasantly under
the whip. Low-end drivability is really good, which means you can
scamper through urban traffic without much downshifting. Turbo spools in
at around 2500rpm and dipping into the torque is delightful. The engine
has a strong midrange, pulling eagerly till 4500rpm before the needle
glows red at 5000rpm.
The D90 accelerates from 0-100kmph in 15.5 seconds and is absolutely
stable at three digit speeds. Steering is on the heavier side and it
gives you a confident drive, but it could be tiresome during long
drives. As the D90 trundled along the highway, I saw many eyeballs from
swankier cars glaring with flabbergasted looks that say: “Darn! Isn’t
that an Indica just zipped away?”
Suspension has been reworked to cope with the
sportiness of the car and it has certainly taken its toll on ride
comfort. Compared to Vista, the D90 offers a stiffer ride on rough
patches but on the flipside, it handles well and has less bodyroll. Tata
has engineered the D90 with a special NVH pack and it shows. Engine
roar is well contained and road noise impressively low.
The D90 comes with enough safety and security features including dual
front SRS airbags, crumple zones, side intrusion beams, engine
immobilizer and ABS with EBD.
Tata claims a fuel economy of 21.12 kmpl and when
driven sensibly, the D90 returned 19.8 kmpl on highway (with AC turned
on). While exploiting the car’s full potential, however, the figure
dropped to somewhere between 14 and 15 kmpl. The D90 is also equipped
with a powerful air-conditioner
that doesn't sap much engine power.
Having spent several hours driving the D90, I can
attest that this car is a great package and is fun to drive. More
remarkable is Tata’s undying effort to improve the quality of interiors.
It may not be so refined as its direct competitors, but with a starting
price of Rs. 5.99 lakhs, the Vista D90 gives you the best value for
money.
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