Tata Motors, traditionally a major player in diesel segment, has unveiled a new family of petrol engines and launched the first engine from the series. This will help the company to improve presence in the petrol segment.
The new series – Revotron – will include three- and four-cylinder petrol engines and will power Tata Motors’ future passenger vehicles.
“We are under-represented in the petrol segment and our intention is to gain a rightful share. The big possibility for us was petrol and that’s why we went in for this,” said Ranjit Yadav, President (Passenger Vehicle Business Unit).
“The overall strategy is very straight forward. We will look at economy, performance, reduction of carbon dioxide, meeting latest Euro V and Euro VI norms. We will be ahead of the curve,” he said.
About 90 per cent of Tata Motor’s vehicle portfolio comprises diesel vehicles. “Hopefully, we want to make that 50:50 and not so in the long run,” Yadav added, but did not provide a time-frame.
“Gasoline (petrol) technologies have evolved continuously, both at the system level and technology levels. The rising cost of diesel, increasing awareness on emissions and low cost of ownership of petrol cars, all underpin the importance of gasoline in the future,” said Timothy Leverton, Head (Advanced and Product Engineering).
The company would also look at exporting these to global markets.
Tata Motors also launched its first petrol engine - Revotron 1.2T - from the series.
The new engine is a turbo-charged inter-cooled Multi-Point Fuel Injected (MPFi) motor and is being manufactured at the Pune plant.
The company will roll out its first engine this year itself. “This engine can be used for hatchbacks, compact sedans and sedans,” Yadav added.
The engine has been designed based on feedback from car owners, car enthusiasts and drivers from across the globe.
The company also worked closely with global engine consultant AVL (Austria) and technology partners such as Bosch, Honeywell, Mahle and INA.
The engine is equipped with a turbo-charger delivering 85PS @ 5000 RPM and 140 Nm @ 1,750-3,500 RPM.
The engine has a selectable multi-drive mode and uses low viscosity, fuel efficient engine oil.
rajesh.kurup@thehindu.co.in