The Tata Bolt will take on the premium hatchbacks in the country, and therefore Tata have done everything they can to make sure the quality levels are at par with the best. The Tata Bolt replaces the Vista, and also comes with some very new innovative features, including a new driving mode system that is the first in its segment. The car will compete with the VW Polo and the Fiat Punto.
Design & Styling
Although not the most appealing hatchback in terms of design, the Bolt does have a confident dynamism, which is complemented with an aggressive forward pouncing stance. The nicely fashioned piano black finish that accompanies the Tata signature grill, flows into the smoked projector headlamps to give the Bolt a sporty look. The Matte Black C pillar creates a wraparound effect which makes the roof look lower & lengthens the look of the Bolt. You also have the option of 8-spoke alloy wheels to compliment the sportiness of the design. It also comes with a rear spoiler to add in another sporty attribute.
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Interiors
The interiors of the Bolt truly show that Tata is heading in the right direction. The layout is identical to the Tata Zest and the quality levels have gone up significantly and the cabin is very welcoming with a nice dashboard and comfortable seats. It’s got a snazzy Java Black interior setup that is designed to give the Bolt a refined athletic look. There is a good amount of space in the car, even for rear seat passengers.
Engine & Transmission
Bolt is the latest premium hatchback from Tata Motors that comes with a 5 speed manual transmission and is available in 2 engine variants – Revotron 1.2T (Petrol) &Quadrajet 1.3 (Diesel). Revotron 1.2T is an 1,193 cc turbocharged Petrol engine with multi-drive system and it has 89bhp of power. The diesel unit is a 1,248cc capacity engine with 75bhp.
Performance and Handling
The Tata Bolt is the first car in its segment to offer three drive modes – Eco, City and Sport. At the touch of a button, the ECU selects a different engine map, which alters the car’s performance. The default mode is City, which is great for urban driving conditions as it provides adequate power while, at the same time, ensuring fuel efficiency. Eco mode is when you want to conserve fuel, and power is limited. Sport mode is where the Tata Bolt springs to life, and if you want to drive fast and hard then this is mode you would prefer. But it’s good to have the luxury of choice to suit your mood. In terms of overall performance though the Bolt does a great job. The engine power is nice and the acceleration is peppy and linear with little lag, like other Tata hatches. The handling has also become more direct and the suspension is perfect for city as well as highway use. By no means is it the best performing hatch, but the levels of refinement have certainly improved for a Tata car.
Fuel Efficiency
The petrol variant gave us a mileage of 15kmpl, while the Quadrajet 1.3 diesel engine provided an impressive 19kmpl.
Features
The Bolt gets power steering, power windows, and then it also has fully automatic air-conditioning that can be controlled on its touchscreen system. The same system also controls the music and other functions, and there are also steering mounted controls. The screen also has a video playback feature and you can connect your smartphone and view a navigation system as well.
Safety
Safety features include ABS and EBD, and then there are all dual front airbags, and it also gets a smart rear wiper.
Quality & Reliability
Though it’s not the best in its segment in terms of quality, it certainly is up there with the best though. Tata have done a great job to make sure that the build quality and use of components is at par with the best. There still is some room for improvement, but overall it is quite nice. Tata although do seem to be well built cars, and although they might have a few nags, it’s not expensive or difficult to get parts.
Value for Money
The car is priced nicely and it does come with a lot of great stuff so it does carry a good value for money deal.
Verdict
It’s a great attempt from Tata but they still need to improve in some areas. The driving modes are a good plus and the safety features are nice, but if you spend just a little more you could opt for better built and better performing machines. However, by no means is the Tata Bolt a bad car, its actually quite good.
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