Photo for illustration purposes only. Photo: stock
Imagine zipping around the city in a fuel-efficient, eye-catching car, turning heads as you go and all at a very affordable price.
Tata Motors Polokwane made this a reality at last Wednesday evening’s launch of the new Tata Bolt, available in a hatch and a sedan.
Mark Vermaaak, dealer principal of Imperial Select Polokwane Multifranshise, hands over the keys and a gift hamper to Tata Polokwane client Matthews Maja during the launch of the new Tata Bolt last week. Maja is the first client to drove away with the new Bolt Hatch.
Review speaks to Matthews Maja, the first owner of one of these new attractive numbers
“It is my first vehicle, and I’m glad I made a great choice when I bought the new Tata Bolt.”
“The exterior is eye-catching, the interior is breathtaking, and when you see the price, you know you have found a gem.”
Tata has their sights set on playing a more essential role in the South African market with the launch of these two new Bolt models into the B-segment. This launch goes hand in hand with a stronger programme to renew and raise its brand awareness in the country. They also plan to improve on their after sales service to make the brand even more attractive. The Tata Bolt heralds this new era for Tata in South Africa and has received a positive reception in pre-launch customer clinics, with particular praise for the interior styling. The Bolt is like a cool rain after a three year drought without new models from the manufacturer.
Each of the Bolt derivatives will be offered with two trim levels, namely XMS and XT, and with a choice of five body colours. The attractively-styled Bolt range is competitively priced and offers buyers the option of a five-door hatch or a compact four-door sedan.
The spacious Java Black interior of the Bolt can seat five adults, with ample legroom for the rear seat occupants. The layout and treatment of the various aspects of the instrument panel are impressive and show influence from the Jaguar Land Rover stylists in Coventry, England. The instrument panel is boldly styled with easy-to-read instrumentation, while discreet touches of chrome are used to highlight certain aspects in tasteful style.
There is a full complement of comfort features including:
• Air-conditioning (climate control on the XT derivatives).
• Electric windows (front and rear).
• Electrically-adjustable exterior rear view mirrors.
• Remote openers for the fuel flap and luggage compartment.
The luggage space in the Bolt hatch is 210 litres while the sedan boasts an extra 150 litres capacity, taking the maximum available volume to 360 litres.
A five-inch infotainment screen dominates the piano black centre section of the instrument panel.
A multi-information display incorporates readings for the:
• Digital clock.
• Outside temperature.
• Dual trip meters.
• Instantaneous fuel consumption.
• Average fuel consumption.
• Distance to empty fuel tank.
Underneath the Bolt’s bonnet is a 1.2-litre Revotron turbocharged petrol engine, which powers the Bolt hatch and sedan. It is the first Indian-designed and made turbo petrol power unit and underwent 300 000 hours of rigorous testing, including driving it in cars in South Africa, even before the Bolt was actually launched.
The power output is 66 kW at 5 000 rpm with an impressive torque output of 140 Nm being available between 1 500 and 4 000 rpm. There are three different settings for engine response, being Sport, Eco and City modes with Sport as the default setting for the Bolt in South Africa.
The engine drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission with the top two ratios being overdriven to assist in lowering fuel consumption. The addition of an automated manual transmission (AMT) in 2016 is a possibility Tata is looking at. The steering is electronically controlled with electric assistance and is speed sensitive.
Safety features rate high on Tata Motors’ priority list and the Bolt is ABS assisted for the disc, drum braking system with electronicc brake distribution (EBD), including a corner-braking feature. There are airbags for the driver and front passenger, speed-sensitive, automatic door locking and daytime running lights. In terms of vehicle security there is an alarm-immobiliser and remote central locking.
There are steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio and phone facilities, while a centrally-located five-inch screen (touchscreen for XT variants) supports the multimedia experience with Bluetooth technology for smartphone integration. Derivatives and pricing:
• Bolt Hatch XMS – R132 995.
• Bolt Hatch XT – R142 995.
• Bolt Sedan XMS – R142 995.
• Bolt Sedan XT – R152 995.
All models come with a five year or 100 000 km factory warranty, a two year or 30 000 km service plan and a five year roadside assistance plan. Visit Tata Polokwane at 102 Tagore Street, Nirvana or contact any of their friendly sales executives at (015) 292 9300.
