2021 Tigor EV is priced from Rs 11.99 lakh to Rs 13.14 lakh

The highly-awaited Tata Tigor EV will be launched in the country on August 31, 2021. Here's what you can expect from the new electric subcompact sedan.

 

 Electric vehicles are finally reaching the mainstream market. You don't have to spend more than Rs 20 lakh to get your hands on one that you can use every day. This transformation is being led by Tata. The Nexon EV has become India's electric vehicle poster boy.

The Tigor EV makes a subtle statement. The rich Teal Blue colour is a dead giveaway, to be sure. However, a short glance at the Daytona Grey colour option reveals that Tata is only nudge you to notice the difference rather than screaming it in your face.

The grille has been reworked with 'tri-arrow' decoration, and the front bumper has more of the same. The matte aqua-color accents around the grille, fog lamps, and wheels, as well as the faint highlights on the bumpers, are the only design differences between an electric Tigor and its fuel counterpart. We like how Tata has kept the chrome to a minimum here: an underlining for the window line, a splash on the door handle and boot — just right. Highlights such as the halogen projector headlamps, daytime running lamps, and clear lens tail lamps have all been retained.

The wheels are a noticeable difference from the petrol Tigor. The EV must make due with 14-inch steel wheels that attempt to imitate alloy wheels. It doesn't help that the design is nearly identical to the Tiago NRG's previous iteration. The Tigor's 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels would have looked great here.

The Tigor's robust design clearly benefits the electric vehicle. If you like to make a statement, the Tigor EV does it in a variety of ways.

When you step into the Tigor EV's cabin, you'll see more blue touches on the dashboard. They draw attention to the AC vents and even make their way to the instrument cluster. Blue tri-arrow designs on the cloth upholstery are another distinguishing feature. With the exception of them, the cabin is similar to the conventional Tigor.

And for some, that may be a letdown. On an entry-level vehicle that costs less than Rs 10 lakh, the rough and scratchy plastic is tolerable. Tata might have improved the overall experience by including a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette seat upholstery, and door mats.

Thankfully, space and utility have not been compromised. With a height-adjustable driver's seat and steering tilt-adjust, getting into a comfortable driving posture is pretty simple. The Tigor EV, like the normal car, offers enough room for four six-footers. You can fit a third occupant in the back seat if everyone isn't as tall. Also, at this price point, rear-adjustable headrests and rear AC vents feel like foolish omissions.

The only significant reduction is in the boot space. The Tigor EV has 316 litres of room, compared to 419 litres in the conventional Tigor. Because of the elevated boot floor and the spare wheel being stored in the boot, this is the case. The Tigor EV comes with a puncture repair kit, so you can get rid of the spare wheel if you truly need the boot room. The boot space increases to 376 litres when the spare wheel is removed.

In comparison to the petrol Tigor, there are no features that have been removed. Keyless entry, push-button start, and automatic climate control are included on the top-spec XZ+ model. A few more features over the regular Tigor, such as auto-dimming IRVMs, front armrests, and cruise control, would have been fantastic.

Tata also offers connected car technology, which is accessible through the 'Z Connect' app. This app allows you to remotely access data (such as the car's range) and turn on the air conditioning.

A 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is also included. This is complemented by a fantastic Harman sound system with eight speakers. The screen also serves as a display for the reverse camera, which, unfortunately, produces poor footage and has considerable lag.

Dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and corner stability control are all standard on the Tigor EV. It's also the first electric vehicle to pass the Global NCAP crash test, earning a commendable 4 stars for adult and child occupant safety.

A 26kWh battery pack powers the Tigor EV. The new 'Ziptron' engine means the wheels are powered by a permanent synchronous motor (75PS/170Nm) rather than the Xpres-old T's 3-phase AC induction motor (Tigor EV for the taxi market).

In a little over an hour, you may charge up to 80% of the Tigor EV's battery, as is the case with other modern EVs. This necessitates a 25kW DC fast charger, which can be found at public charging stations in cities and along national highways, as well as certain Tata dealerships and even some gasoline and diesel pumps.

To charge the Tigor EV at home with a conventional 15A outlet, you'll have to wait roughly 10 hours to get the battery from 0% to 100%. To ensure battery life and performance, Tata suggests charging the battery to 100 percent at least once a week rather than relying solely on rapid charging. It's comforting to know that the battery pack comes with an 8-year/160,000-kilometer manufacturing warranty.