The Tata H7X was the code name for the seven-seat variant of the Tata Harrier (that itself was earlier called the H5X). At the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019, Tata showcased the production-ready version of the H7X and gave it a name - the Tata Buzzard for the international market.
Now, the seven-seat SUV has a name for the Indian market - the Tata Gravitas. It will be launched in February 2020. It is being positioned as a luxury SUV that will sit just above the Tata Harrier. It is based on the same platform as the Harrier with just the rear portion modified to accommodate an additional row of seats.
How is it different from the Tata Harrier? The rear of the Tata Gravitas is taller, the boot lid has been made a little more vertical and the tail-lamps have been changed. The roof gets a kink for additional headroom and there is a new set of roof rails.
The Gravitas is based on the Omega platform that was derived from the Land Rover Discovery. The Gravitas is slightly longer than the Harrier, but the wheelbase is the same. It has a 2,741 mm wheelbase, but is 4,661 mm long that’s about 63 mm more than the Harrier.
Tata is likely to equip the Gravitas with the same 2-litre, Fiat-sourced multijet diesel engine that is in the Harrier. However, it will be BS-6 compliant and will get a tune-up to put out 170 bhp (compared to 140 bhp in the Harrier) and 350 Nm of torque.
While a 6-speed manual transmission will be standard, Tata has been testing an automatic option as well, which may finally debut in the Gravitas. Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options are not likely though.
With the Tata Harrier’s prices ranging between Rs 13 lakh and Rs 17 lakh, expect the Gravitas to be priced between Rs 14 lakh and Rs 19 lakh ex-showroom. It will compete with the Mahindra XUV500 as its main seven-seat rival, undercutting the Toyota Innova and Isuzu MUX.
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