Tata Motors is working on introducing terrain modes for its SUVs, a leaked design patent has revealed. The patent reveals a rotary knob with seven different modes, which likely include snow, sand, gravel, and a few others including a custom mode. The leak suggests that future Tata SUVs will get all-wheel drive or even a 4×4 configuration, starting with the upcoming Harrier EV.
- Future Tata SUVs to get AWD/4×4
- Terrain modes include Snow, Gravel, Sand, and more
Tata currently retails four front-wheel drive ICE SUVs including Nexon, Harrier, Safari and Curvv. At the launch of the Curvv, Tata had revealed that the ATLAS (Adaptive Tech Forward Lifestyle Architecture) platform that underpins the coupe-SUV can accommodate 4×4, albeit with some changes.
While the next-gen Nexon will also be underpinned by the same ATLAS platform, the limited demand for 4X4 or all-wheel-drive SUVs in this segment means that the new terrain modes will likely be given a miss on the compact SUV. The upcoming Sierra, also to be based on the same platform, as well as the Harrier EV will be offered with an AWD configuration. However, it is yet to be seen if an all-wheel drive system will make its way to Tata’s ICE SUVs.
Do note that the terrain modes are different from the drive modes (Eco, City, Sport) that are on offer with Nexon, Curvv, Harrier and Safari. The latter two also get traction modes such as Normal, Rough and Wet. Meanwhile rivals to Tata Harrier and Safari such as Mahindra XUV700, Scorpio N and Jeep Compass are the only offerings in the segment that offer either an all-wheel drive or a 4×4 configuration, at least as an option.
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