Tata Curvv: Tata's first SUV coupe

“It looks like an Indian Urus!” was the first of many interesting comments on Tata Motors’ livestream as we watched the unveil of the Tata Curvv at the Auto Expo 2023, and leaving those strong opinions about the styling aside, the Curvv is expected to be a very important SUV for Tata Motors in India. This will be the Indian manufacturer’s first SUV coupe and the Curvv will also be the first of the new products showcased by Tata at the Auto Expo, to be actually launched in production-guise in our market. Here’s everything we know about the SUV.

Tata Curvv: When will it be launched?

It has been confirmed that the Tata Curvv will be launched in 2024, before the Sierra EV. There’s no all-new model being launched in 2023, and the Curvv will be launched in 2024, closely followed by the launch of the Sierra EV in 2025.

Tata Curvv design

The Tata Curvv is styled like an SUV coupe, taking inspiration from the body style that debuted first on the BMW X5 with the sportback-esque rear end, and which is now present in most manufacturer’s model lineups. In India, the Curvv will only get the SUV coupe body style – not a traditional SUV shape, so there is a possibility of another traditionally-styled SUV to be based on the same platform.

Compared to the Curvv concept shown last year, the model showcased at the Auto Expo gets production-ready elements such as the DRL signature on the nose which will be the Tata Motors signature moving forward. The ICE version of the Curvv will also get the LED DRLs at the front, and the alloy wheels will be one size smaller, from 19-inches to 18-inches. Martin Ulharik, Global Design Head, Tata Motors has even confirmed that 90 to 95 per cent of the styling elements seen here on the Curvv at the Auto Expo will be making it to the production model.

Tata Curvv platform

The Curvv is based on the Tata Motors X1 platform, which is also the same platform that underpins the Tata Nexon. Of course, the Nexon platform traces its lineage all the way back to the Indica Vista, and this X1 platform has been heavily re-engineered to adapt this into Tata Motors’ Gen 2 architecture, which includes complying with the Bharat NCAP norms that are set to come into force. One must note that while the platform of the Curvv is adapted from the Nexon, it is not the same platform, but rather one that has been stretched out. The Nexon’s wheelbase is 2498mm, and the Curvv’s wheelbase will be around 2600mm, stretched out to the size of a Hyundai Creta, with the overall length being the same as the Sierra EV at 4.3 metres in length.

Tata Curvv interior

The interiors of the Tata Curvv are minimalist, with a digital cockpit and a big digital infotainment screen. The cabin is largely devoid of buttons, and like the Avinya concept that was showcased to us earlier and also at the Auto Expo, it is expected that a lot of the functionality in the Curvv will be operated using voice commands. There is a new design for the steering wheel, which will mark a new corporate identity for Tata, and it will first be seen on the Curvv. The wheel will sport the Tata logo which will be lit up.

Tata Curvv powertrains

The EV version of the Tata Curvv will come first with the petrol engine. Tata Motors introduced two new direct injection turbo-petrol engines at the Auto Expo, one being a 1.2-litre and the other being 1.5-litre unit, and Mohan Savarkar, VP, Product Line, Tata Motors has confirmed that “This (the Curvv) will be the first car to get our 1.2 GDI.” The 1.2-litre TGDI engine will develop a claimed 125bhp and will be offered in two states of tune for the torque, 190Nm and 225Nm. The sportier version of the Curvv will likely get the 225Nm engine. In addition to the petrols, Tata Motors will continue to offer its diesel engines that will be updated to match the BS6 RDE emission norms.