Mumbai: Tata Motors has launched its new compact sedan, the Aeris, in the Indian market, putting a strong emphasis on build quality and safety. To demonstrate the vehicle’s structural strength during the launch event, the automaker conducted a unique safety test by dumping approximately 20 tonnes of gravel and stones directly onto the car.
For this test, the company selected the CNG variant of the Tata Aeris, placing it beneath a dumper loaded with 20 tonnes of heavy material. According to Tata Motors, the car’s cabin structure remained safe after the debris was poured over it. Once the stones and gravel were cleared away, the vehicle was able to start and drive normally.
Tata Motors frequently conducts different demonstrations to highlight the safety of its vehicles, ranging from internal car-to-car crash tests to collision simulations with larger vehicles. This extreme weight test represents another approach by the manufacturer to showcase structural integrity.
While the official crash test safety rating for the Tata Aeris is yet to be announced, it is expected that the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) may release its ratings in the coming days. Tata cars generally hold strong safety records. The Aeris comes equipped with safety features such as six airbags, high beam alert, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), hill hold control, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional equipment includes rollover mitigation, corner stability control, a 360-degree camera setup, a built-in dashcam recorder, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
Under the hood, the Tata Aeris is powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 86 hp of power and 113 Nm of torque, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. The car is also offered in a CNG option.
Tata Motors has launched the Aeris at a starting ex-showroom price of Rs 5.29 lakh, while the CNG variant starts at Rs 6.29 lakh. At this price point, the car is Rs 1 lakh cheaper than the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Rs 2.45 lakh lower than the starting price of the Honda Amaze.
