Tata Tiago EV

Ever since we drove the Tigor EV, we couldn't help but wish that Tata had offered the EV drivetrain on the smaller, cheaper, and better-looking Tiago. Last year they decided to do just that and about a month back, we got to sample one.

From the outside, things aren't too different. It has a closed-off grille and lower air-dam with a tri-arrow pattern, teal bits, black roof, black mirrors, and '.EV' badging. There are no alloy wheels, but the Tiago EV gets smart-looking wheel caps on special steel rims to mimic the look. First launched in 2016, the Tiago still manages to look fresh after all these years, especially after the last facelift. Interiors are more or less the same but the top-spec model gets white leatherette seats with blue stitching which look great. The dashboard has teal highlights, there are regen buttons and it gets a rotary gear selector from the Nexon Prime. The seats are the same but the best part is, the Tiago EV doesn't have a raised floor, unlike most EVs. Even the 240-liter boot is roughly the same size although instead of a spare wheel, you get a gel sealant and an air compressor.

Powering the Tiago EV Long range is a 75bhp, 114Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor coupled to a 24kWh LFP battery pack.

Powering the Tiago EV Long range is a 75bhp, 114Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor coupled to a 24kWh LFP battery pack. There is also a lower spec Medium range version with a 19.2kWh battery which makes do with a 61bhp motor which we couldn't sample though. The Tiago EV uses a 320V system in place of the 350V system the Tigor EV has. It has 56Nm less torque than the Tigor EV, but is 80 kilograms lighter and uses a shorter gearing. The battery pack weighs a total of 220kg and is split into two with the majority of it under the rear seat where the fuel tank sits while the rest of it is under the boot floor. Driving off, you'll notice that it's very linear and there is no urgency like in most EVs, even in Sport mode. Regular mode cuts down the torque to 75 percent but even then, it has adequate power for city use. It is very refined and easy to drive around, with instant torque available at any moment. 0-100kmph takes about 14.7 seconds and the top speed is limited to 120kmph. There is adjustable regen so you can choose the one depending on your driving style but it will not come to a complete stop even in the most aggressive setting. Among annoying things, the Tiago EV rolls back a little on inclines and the rotary gear selector mechanism feels slow to respond, especially when taking threepoint turns or parking.

The steering is decent and the car feels quite nippy and fun. The brakes are also very progressive.

Tata claims a range of 350kms for the long-range version, but you can expect roughly 200kms on a full charge under mixed conditions. Charging it up fully from 10 percent takes 9 hours on a 15A socket, 3.6 hours on a 7.2kW home charger, and 1 hour on a 25kW DC fast charger.

The Tiago EV's suspension setup evoked a mixed response during our drive. Some found it to be good, while we thought it was a bit harsh on potholes and ruts. Ride quality over smooth roads is good and un- like the Tigor EV which has a tendency to bob on undulating surfaces, this one feels much tauter. What also helps is the battery placement which on the Tigor is mostly behind the rear axle and you can tell that in the corners. This feels neutral and more engaging to drive. The steering is decent and the car feels quite nippy and fun. The brakes are also very progressive.

The Tiago EV has been off to a great start with its Rs.8.5 lakh introductory pricing. Bookings have gone through the roof and Tata is try- ing their best to deliver. Aftersales should also improve with Nippon group coming up with Luxon Tata dealerships, all across the state. The small battery version would be okay for city runs, but we recommend getting the bigger battery version any day. Have to hand it over to Tata Motors for making EVs popular with the Nexon, Tigor, and now the Tiago when most manufacturers are still contemplating EVs. And with each model, they are also bringing the price point lower thus making electric cars accessible to more people