Tata Kite
Tata KitePR handout

Home-grown carmakers Tata Motors got a fresh lease of life with the launch of the Tiago hatchback, which features the brand's new design language christened as the Impact. With over 22,000 bookings, the Tiago gave the much needed push to the sales chart of Tata Motors in the past two months. The company is reportedly planning to continue the winning momentum with an array of new launches. Apart from the confirmed Nexon compact SUV, Kite 5 sedan and Hexa SUV, emerging reports indicate Tata has plans to test the waters in the premium hatchback segment, which is the domain of Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20. In the works is a hatchback codenamed X451, Overdrive reported.

The report says the X451 will be completely new model with ground up design that will take inspiration from the upcoming Nexon compact SUV. Tata's premium hatchback is expected to get projector beam-lamps with a swept back design and bumper mounted fog lamps. The face of the car will be more aggressive than the Tiago. Being a premium hatchback, Tata Motors is expected to use premium quality material and multi-layered design. A pop up display at the centre console can be expected.

The X451 will be based on Tata's Advanced Modular Platform (AMP). The hatchback is expected to get four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. This could be the mills from Revotron and Revotorq engine family.

The reports further suggest the possibility of a premium sedan based on the X451, which will be pitted against the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the Honda City. If Tata goes ahead with the X451 premium sedan, it will fill the void in the company's product portfolio left by the discontinued Manza sedan.