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Say hello to Tata
Page 87
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Tata has a new UK distributor — Phoenix
MG Rover's sister company Phoenix Distribution signed an agreement with Indian manufacturer Tata to distribute the company's range of vehicles last autumn, following the collapse of Tata's previous UK distributor earlier in the year. The deal applies to the UK and Irish Republic. Phoenix had already signed a deal to distribute the Tata Indicar, badged in the UK as the City Rover.
Produced by one of India's largest industrial companies, Tata's range of no-frills pickups and the Safari 4x4 off-roader has gained a reputation for rugged construction and competitive prices.The Tata Group comprises over 85 companies operating in sectors from engineering to chemicals, consumer products and information technology.
The Safari is one of the largest off-roaders in its class, with seating for seven in its fivedoor body. Although primarily a passenger carrying vehicle, Phoenix Distribution identified the construction sector as one of its targets for the Safari when the distribution deal was announced.
A starting price of some £13,800 (exVAT) gives it great appeal as a construction site vehicle, where its rugged driveline, high ground clearance and selectable four-wheel drive should easily cope with more difficult offroad conditions.
Standard equipment includes alloy wheels with 235/75 15in tyres, ABS disc/di-tun brakes, air conditioning, a CD player, electric windows all round and seven seats.
Sharing the same separate ladder frame chassis is the TL pickup range. This consists of four models, two with rear-wheel drive and two with selectable four-wheel drive.
Both the Safari and TL pickup models are designed to withstand the worst of India's roads. A two-litre 90hp charge-cooled turbodiesel drives through a five-speed manual gearbox, mated to a two-speed transfer box in four-wheel-drive models, which gives a choice of two and four-wheel-drive high ratio and low ratio four-wheel-drive. Changes between two and four-wheel drive in high ratio can be made on the move at speeds up to 40mph. Like many vehicles with selectable four-wheel-drive, changing between low and high ratio can only be made with the vehicle at rest. Automatic free-wheeling hubs are fitted to the front axle of TL4 models, reducing driveline wear in
two-wheel drive. Tata is currently working on a Euro-4 engine range.
Suspension is by double wishbones and torsion bars at the front and coil springs at the rear with a five-link system to ensure good axle control. Standard equipment includes alloy wheels, ABS brakes, air conditioning and a stereo radio/CD player.
The TL pickups are badged TL2 for twowheel-drive models and TL4 for four-wheel drive. The ranges consist of a two-seater single and five-seater double cab TL2 and a single and double-cab TL4. Prices start from around £9,100 (ex-VAT) for the single-cab TL2, with the most expensive double-cab 4x4 TL4 model starting from around £13,650 (ex-VAT). Single cab bodies measure 1.91x1.41m and offer payloads up to 1,280kg. Double-cab models reduce the loadbed length to 1.56m and can carry payloads up to 1,030kg. Even so, all models can handle a euro pallet. The payloads also ensure that all Tata pickups qualify for the full VAT refund and vanbased benefit-inkind taxation for company car
and van drivers. The Ms will compete with other one-tonne and 4x4 pickups, but at lower prices. The TL2 pickups are powered by
the same charge-cooled turbo-diesel as the Safari and TL4 models, which share the same driveline featuring a Borg Warner electrically controlled transfer box.
Phoenix has a 50-strong dealer network to handle Tata sales and they can all set up Capital Bank finance packages.
A full range of parts and accessories for the Tata range is available through the dealer network — this network is made up of around 25 MG Rover dealers who used to handle Land Rover sales and about 20 former Tata dealers who were involved with its previous distribution system. The remainder are independents. Tata sales in the UK are expected to reach around 2,000 per year.
All models carry a comprehensive threeyear/60,000-mile warranty backed up with first-yearAA roadside assistance and a six-year perforation warranty.