Tata’s Goshaq compact sedan to lock horns with the Maruti Dzire and Honda Amaze
It is rumoured that the Goshaq would sit under the Altroz, and it might just replace the Tigor. While there is not much confirmation on the name, Goshaq is what appears to be the case for now.
The Maruti Dzire has reigned as the king of the sub-4m segment since a long time, and chances are it will continue to do so. The Honda Amaze could barely compete with it, the Volkswagen Ameo and the Tata Tigor, both of them were very capable sedans, but both of them have been sales duds.
However, Tata has not given up, and they intend on launching a new sub-4m sedan by the name of Goshaq in 2022. Firstly, what does Goshaq mean, really, what does it mean, because I for one have no clue. Secondly, the Goshaq will be based on the ALFA platform (Agile, Light, Flexible and Advanced). This platform has been used by the sedans, hatchbacks and compact SUVs of Tata, and this platform has proved itself to be particularly useful as it offers a flat floor-bed which increases legroom.
Another feature of this platform is, that it can support multiple powertrains, and in times of today, where we are moving beyond the mainstream ICE (internal combustion engines), a platform like this makes room for electric or hybrid powertrains. Tata has used the IMPACT 2.0 design philosophy has been used on cars such as the Altroz, Harrier, the beloved Sierra concept and the Hornbill (H2X).
The same design philosophy will be applied on the Goshaq, and on seeing the previous results of this design philosophy, we can expect a very sharp and good looking sub-4m sedan to compete with the Dzire. The Goshaq is supposed to occupy the position where the Tigor is currently placed which begs the question, will the Goshaq replace the Tigor or will it be the next generation Zest? If it does become the virtual successor of the Zest then, both the Tigor and Goshaq would be offered. But, this is highly unlikely owing to high input costs and that the Tigor is already a hard sell so, putting a competition to it would not be wise.
The Goshaq could be powered by the Altroz based 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder engine, which makes a functional 85ps with 113 Nm of torque. The Tigor in the current market is not offered with a diesel engine, would the Goshaq offer a diesel engine, that is yet to be seen. However, the Goshaq should surely have an option of an automatic or manual transmission.
Talking about launches, the Goshaq is not the only new car to be launched by Tata, as Tata is readying its sub-4m compact SUV Hornbill, while the 7 seater Harrier called the Gravitas is ready for launch. A sedan version of the Altroz is on the anvil, with these 3 upcoming cars, Tata seems to have quite the arsenal to take on its competitors, and if priced right, they could raise the heat for their rivals.
