Details of the AMT-equipped Nexon have been officially revealed. For now, Tata will sell the compact SUV with the AMT in only the top-spec XZA+ trim, but on both the petrol and diesel engines. The Nexon AMT will launch sometime early next month.
Besides the addition of the new badge on the rear, there is nothing to differentiate the automatic model from the standard Nexon. However, Tata has offered a new exterior paint shade with the new variants, a dual-tone orange and silver. Incidentally, the Nexon AMT displayed by the carmaker at the 2018 Auto Expo had the same exterior finish.
Both the 110hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and the 110hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engines are mated to the new six-speed automated manual transmission, which comes with a manual mode. The engines come with same the three multi drive modes – Eco, City and Sport; the manual mode on the AMT automatically sifts the engine’s mode to Sport mode. In addition, the gearbox also comes with a hill assist function and a creep function to aid in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The addition of the new transmission has seen the weight of the petrol model increase by a meager 15kg to 1252kg. Expect a similar increase in the diesel’s weight from 1305kg.
The top-spec XZA+ is equipped with features such as projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, the same 16-inch alloy wheels shod in 215/60 tyres, front fog lamps, 60:40 split folding rear seats and a Harman-sourced 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is Android Auto compatible. A wearable smart key is also on offer.
While the Nexon AMT only comes in the top-spec trim for now, based on Tata’s previous launches, expect a mid-spec XTA variant in the coming months.
Unlike its rivals, the Nexon is now the only compact SUV to offer an automatic option with both engines at the moment. The pre-facelift Ford EcoSport did have the option of a six-speed automatic on the petrol trim, though the facelift model has yet to receive it. The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, another rival, only comes with the option of a 90hp, 1.3-lite diesel mated to a five-speed manual.
In terms of pricing, expect a premium of about Rs 50,000 over the current top-spec models – the XZ+ petrol (with the dual-tone roof) retails at Rs 9.02 lakh while the XZ+ diesel costs Rs 9.89 lakh (all-prices ex-showroom, Delhi).