Finally, after teasing for a while, the country’s second-largest automaker, Tata Motors, has launched the new Aeris in India. This sub-compact sedan has been launched with an introductory price of Rs 5.29 lakh (ex-showroom). The Aeris is essentially a Tigor replacement which boasts a completely redesigned exterior, a new cabin, more features and multiple powertrain options. Tata Motors is offering the Aeris in five variants, and today we will be explaining to you what each variant has to offer.
So, as mentioned above, the Aeris is being offered in five variants which Tata Motors calls personas. These include Smart, Pure, Pure+, Creative and Accomplished. Now, before going ahead, it has to be mentioned that all prices are introductory, ex-showroom prices.
The Smart is the most affordable variant of the Aeris, and it starts at Rs 5.29 lakh for the petrol-manual and Rs 6.29 lakh for the iCNG-manual. There is no AMT option with this variant. Despite being the base variant, the Aeris Smart gets a number of important features. It comes with Tata’s SportLux steering wheel, a premium dual-tone interior, a 12.7cm digital instrument cluster and R14 steel wheels.
The safety kit includes six airbags, ISOFIX child-seat anchors, ABS with EBD and CSC, and rear parking sensors. The Smart also gets premium melange fabric front seats with under-thigh support, tilt steering, rear seat headrests and three-point ELR seatbelts with reminders for all seats. So, the Smart is mainly for buyers who want the new Aeris design and basic safety features without spending too much.
Next up is the Pure variant, which starts at Rs 6.14 lakh for the petrol-manual and Rs 7.14 lakh for the CNG-manual. It is also the first variant in the range to get AMT options for both petrol and CNG. Compared to the Smart, the Pure gets a number of convenience features. These include a height-adjustable driver seat, day/night IRVM, all four power windows, body-coloured door handles and electrically adjustable ORVMs with integrated turn indicators.
The Pure also gets steering-mounted audio controls, speed-sensitive auto door locks, a rear defogger, central locking with flip key and follow-me-home headlamps. Tata has also added its ZipFast 15W A+C charger in this variant. The digital cluster seen in the Smart variant remains the same, but the Pure adds Bluetooth audio/BYOD functionality.
The mid-spec Pure+ variant of the Aeris has been priced at Rs 6.74 lakh for the petrol-manual, and the iCNG manual version has been priced at Rs 7.74 lakh. Like the Pure, it gets both petrol and CNG AMT options.
Now, coming to the features and technology, this is where the Aeris gets a major jump in terms of technology. The Pure+ gets a 20.32 cm floating touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also gets a four-speaker sound system and an HD reverse parking camera. Other additions include a 65W front charger, rear AC vents and cruise control.
Safety equipment also gets upgraded with ESP with traction control, iTPMS and Hill Hold Control. The Pure+ also gets a rear centre armrest with cupholders and a fabric-touch front armrest with storage. In terms of wheels, the petrol version gets 15-inch Dynamic Hyperstyle wheels. However, the CNG version gets 14-inch Dynamic Hyperstyle wheels.
What makes the Pure+ more unique is that it also gets a CNG AMT combination as well. This makes it one of the more interesting variants for buyers who want lower running costs along with the convenience of an AMT.
Moving toward the top, we have the Creative variant, which starts at Rs 7.49 lakh for the petrol-manual and Rs 8.49 lakh for the CNG-manual. It gets petrol and CNG powertrains with both manual and AMT gearboxes. The biggest upgrade on the Creative is the 26.03 cm HD touchscreen infotainment system.
It also gets 15-inch Diamond Aero alloy wheels and a much more comprehensive equipment list. One of the biggest additions is the 360-degree SVS HD camera, which supports multiple 2D and 3D views. The Creative also gets a Blind View Monitor.
Other additions include signature LED headlamps and DRLs, Infinity LED connected tail lamps, fully automatic temperature control, rain-sensing wipers and auto headlamps. It also gets two tweeters, a one-shot driver-side window, passive entry and passive start, auto-fold ORVMs, chrome door handles and a cooled glovebox.
The last top-of-the-line variant in the Aeris lineup is the Accomplished variant. It is priced at Rs 8.19 lakh for the petrol-manual and Rs 9.19 lakh for the iCNG-manual. It also gets petrol and CNG AMT options. The biggest additions on the Accomplished are focused on the cabin and connected technology. It gets AeroLux ventilated leatherette front seats and LuxTouch leatherette seats.
Tata has also added a dual smartphone deck with wireless charging and a Dashcam Recorder. The Accomplished gets iRA connectivity with more than 35 connected-car features. It also adds LED fog lamps, a 65W rear Type-C charger, soft-touch leatherette front armrest with storage and magazine pockets.
The variant also gets USB charging, iToggle window controls, front seats with adjustable headrests, a chrome waistline and a dual-tone roof. The overall list of features of the Accomplished variant includes the larger touchscreen, digital cluster, 360-degree camera, blind-view monitor, connected-car technology and ventilated leatherette seats.
Mechanically, the Aeris gets the same engine options as the Tigor. It gets the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Revotron petrol engine, which produces 86 PS and 113 Nm. Meanwhile, the iCNG version makes 75.5 PS and 96.5 Nm. Both powertrains are offered with 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT options depending on the persona. The iCNG version gets Tata’s twin-cylinder CNG technology and a 70-litre water-capacity CNG tank. It also gets direct start in CNG mode.