A Mid-size Disruptor?

Having driven the Tata Curvy in its electric guise, it was now time to find out how the coupé-SUV is like to drive when powered by an internal combustion engine

- Gaurav Davare

IT WASN'T TOO LONG AGO THAT WE GOT OUR first taste of the all-electric Tata Curvv.ev that marks the brand's proper crack at the mid-size SUV space with many things that make it stand out, from its coupé-SUV body style. Since that was an electric vehicle, it wasn't easy to make a comparison with most of its true rivals that are powered by internal combustion engines while also having few electric equivalents. Well, now we've finally got our hands on its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart, the Tata Curvy, and we drove it around the holiday paradise that is Goa to find out whether it is truly a worthy step by Tata Motors into the mid-size SUV segment and one that can really ruffle some feathers.

Now, considering this is an ICE version of the Curvv, I'm do not propose to go really deep into the differences, for the overall experience is virtually identical. That said, there is a different face, a petal design for the 18-inch alloy wheels, a maroon shade for the cabin, and the floor sits slightly lower.

Apart from the EV-specific Arcade.ev and the charging tech, the vast feature list is also identical to that of the EV. Just by way of a refresh, it includes a 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, wireless phone charger, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, a powered driver's seat, reclinable rear seats, and a powered tailgate with gesture controls, six airbags as standard, and Level 2 ADAS.

The main reason for our drive this time lay under the bonnet. There's already the 120-hp, 1.2-litre, turbocharged multi-point injection petrol engine and the uprated 118-hp, 1.5-litre, turbodiesel option of the unit found in the Nexon. Making its début in the Curvy is a new 125-hp, 1.2-litre direct-injection turbopetrol engine. On top of this, all three engines get a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox option to go with the six-speed manual unit.