The cat is out of the bag on the Tata Sierra EV, and there’s no mistaking what the buyers are in for: AWD is a done deal before the June 30 unveiling. Put your eye on the ‘QWD Dual Motor’ on the back of the tailgate or the new clips of the SUV in the dunes and you’ll see where the emphasis is on traction and confidence.
Why it matters for buyers
Tata Motors is looking to make the Sierra EV more of an everyday proposition. As the seventh in their stable of EVs and the first Sierra with AWD, it has a leg up on the ICE model, which doesn’t have that kind of four-wheel pull.
Then there is the matter of style. The Sierra EV is about as much about nostalgia as it is utility. You have the upright look and the glasshouse of the original, but with some EV-tuned aero to keep efficiency in check without losing any of the car’s presence.
What we know from Tata so far
A new ad has put the exterior on display, and you can tell they’ve made a point of differentiating it from the petrol version. The front is more of a closed-off affair, with some reworked details and colour to mark it as an EV. Even the wheels and bumper have been put through the wringer for less drag.
Still, if you’re a fan of the Sierra, the profile and rear will be right at home. But the teaser is more about what it can do. Up close, you can see the ‘QWD Dual Motor’ – an AWD set-up not unlike what we’ve been shown on the Harrier EV.
Variants and the hardware under the hood
Chances are the Sierra EV is built on the acti.ev+ platform and has a lot in common with the Harrier EV we just saw. Tata hasn’t put numbers to the power and torque yet, but they’ve let on it will be more than what you get in their present electric offerings.
We’re looking at 65kWh and 75kWh for the batteries. The bigger one should be the one you want for the QWD system; otherwise, you’ll be fine with a single motor. We’ll have to wait until closer to the launch for the hard figures on range and fast-charging.
On the inside and in the tech
In the cabin, expect a premium feel like the concept showed us. If you go for the top end, you could be looking at a triple-screen set-up: a digital cluster, the main infotainment and even a screen for the passenger.
For the upper trims, comfort is key. Think a panoramic roof, ventilated and powered seats, JBL with Dolby Atmos, a head-up display with AR and a full ADAS package to boot.
Where it fits, the cost and who it’s up against
You’ll find the Sierra EV in the middle of the road, between the Curvv and the Harrier. It’s for the buyer who wants something roomy and a little different but doesn’t need to go for the top of the line.
We’re talking an ex-showroom price of some Rs 18-24 lakh. That puts it in the ring with the Mahindra BE 6, Creta Electric, MG Windsor, e Vitara and the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV. The styling may be a throwback, but this is a very modern move in the market.
A few things to have in mind before you book:
– The ‘QWD Dual Motor’ badge means AWD is here to stay
– You’ll have your pick of single or dual-motor
– 65kWh and 75kWh for the battery
– Fills the gap between the Curvv and Harrier EV
– In the ballpark of Rs 18 to 24 lakh
And then?
Tata is holding back on the specifics for performance and range until the big day. They’ve given you the looks, the AWD and an idea of how the variants will break down.
It comes down to what you want. There will be an easy entry with one motor, and for the enthusiasts, a proper flagship with two. All with the kind of features that put a family at ease for a long run.
So as we get to June 30, we’ll be waiting on the answers to how far it can go and what each variant brings to the table. Do the maths on the value and the price, and the Sierra EV might well be the one everyone is talking about for the rest of the year.
