74bhp Tata Zest gets more variants

Lower-spec 74bhp Tata Zest diesel version now offered with mid-range XM and XMS variants. 

Tata Motors has decided to add more variants to the entry level 74bhp Zest. The lower-powered diesel version of the compact-sedan will be made available with XM and XMS variants from now on. Earlier, the 74bhp Zest was only offered with the base XE variant.

Upon its launch in August 2014, the Zest was launched with two engine options – 1.2 petrol and 1.3-litre diesel. The latter was offered in two states of tune – 74bhp (fixed geometry turbo) and 89bhp (variable geometry turbo or VGT). While the 89bhp version was available in five variants thus far, the 74bhp could only be had with the bare-basic XE variant. Now though, the mid-range XM and XMS variants will only come powered by a 74bhp engine instead of the 89bhp motor. The 89bhp engine will be exclusive to XMA, XT and XTA variants.

While the power and torque figures are down in the 74bhp Zest, it’s significantly more fuel efficient than the 89bhp version – 22.45km/l as against 20.65km/l. The lower-spec diesel is only available with a 5-speed manual though. AMT is only offered with the 89bhp version in XMA and XTA variants.

Apart from the engine, there’s no change in terms of feature and equipment that were being already offered on the XM and XMS variants. Among some of the highlights, these variants get projector headlamps, Bluetooth connectivity, electrically adjustable ORVMs, a Harman infotainment system, steering mounted controls etc. The XMS also gets ABS with EBD and dual-airbags.  Alloy wheels continue to be offered only on the top-end XT and XTA variants, meaning the new 74bhp variants will have to make do with wheel caps only.

Despite getting a lower-powered engine, the prices of the Zest XM and XMS diesel variants have remained more or less the same at Rs 6.83 lakh and Rs 7.10 lakh (both ex-showroom, New Delhi).