Spotted: Tata Nexon compact crossover

The Nexon is reported to debut an all-new 1.5-litre diesel engine under the RevoTorq brand.The Tata Nexon compact crossover prototype has recently been spotted by our reader who goes by the name ‘mutemod’ at an underground parking lot. The camouflaged test mule was accompanied by the old Zest and the upcoming Kite 5 sub-4m sedan.

Unveiled at the Auto Expo 2016 in its production avatar, the Nexon is currently in the advanced stages of testing. Earlier reports suggested that the final design is awaiting approval from the new CEO and the Chairman.

The prototype appears to be fitted with production-ready body panels but at the same time features make-shift headlamp clusters. The curvy sub-4m crossover is hoping to stand out from the more traditional SUVs in the segment such as the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra TUV and the newly launched NovoSport.

Slated to go on sale in mid-2017, the Tata Nexon is expected to be available with both petrol and diesel engines. The 1.2-litre four-cylinder Revotron turbocharged engine which is found in the Bolt and Zest is most likely to be the petrol motor of choice while an all-new 1.5-litre RevoTorq diesel engine is said to be the diesel candidate. We expect the diesel variant to offer optional AMT (Automated Manual Transmission).

Before the Tata Nexon, the automaker will launch the Hexa and Kite 5.

This article has first appeared in Rushlane.com