By : RACHNA TYAGI
GOA :
Let us begin by stating it as it is… The Tata Curvv, India’s first SUV coupe, is unlike anything that you’ve seen before. Now, while you may have had that rare SUV coupe sighting on our roads, in all likelihood, it was a probably a premium German CBU. In India, at this price point… there isn’t anything quite like the Curvv… or let’s say there wasn’t anything like it, at least not on the day it was launched!
The Curvv which takes on other SUVs such as Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, and Honda Elevate, easily races past the rest of the pack on account of its captivating design. For those of you, who’re looking for something new and radical out there, the Curvv may just be right up your alley. Why, you ask? Well, to begin with, it has solid road presence and you certainly can’t miss that gorgeous sloping roofline that instantly distinguishes it from its competition.
Take a look at the front fascia, and you will see that what really leaps out at you is that unique pattern on the grille as well as the bumper… which is flanked by split LED headlights on the side. The bumper gets a piano black glossy finish and a faux skid plate that has been finished in brushed aluminum which adds to the robust look of the Curvv.
On the side, you will see that the Curvv gets a large piano black glossy cladding and large squared off wheel arches. Not to mention those 18-inch alloys that come with a flower shaped design on the ICE models which really stand out. The flush door handles get a tiny light which is a really thoughtful touch so that you aren’t left groping for it in the dark.
Now, it is at the rear of the Curvv where there is a lot happening. From the shark fin antennae to a gorgeous spoiler to those striking LED connected taillights to several angular cuts, one of which extends beautifully, shielding the parking lights from the elements, every aspect has been beautifully designed and finished. Besides, there is also a largish bumper with a piano black glossy finish and that faux skid plate, which give the Curvv its distinct look. And last but not the least, is the 500-Litre boot space that the Curvv comes with – a segment first – and that should really take care of your entire Family’s luggage even whilst on those longer road trips.
Inside, the cabin is the talking point. The first thing that you notice are those gorgeous burgundy seats which are electrically adjustable and come with perforations for ventilation that not only look classy but also feel really comfortable and while the pictures may not do them justice, believe us when we tell you that in person, they look swell. They are supremely well made, neither too soft, nor too too hard, and offer great thigh and lumbar support. The cabin feels big and the panoramic sunroof (that comes with the voice assist feature,) further adds to that spacious feel. The steering reminds you a little bit of the Nexon, but this one gets the burgundy finish and so it is easy to tell the two apart. The 12.3-inch touchscreen feels sharp and the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster also does a fine job. On the dash, just like the Nexon, everything looks really clean and with no physical buttons, barring the toggles for adjusting the fan speeds, everything is now inbuilt into the black panel which gives the cabin of the Curvv a clutter-free appearance. At the back, the rear seats occupants can make the most of reclinable seats, air-con vents and USB ports for charging your mobile devices. Besides all of this, the Curvv also comes with an air purifier and a wireless charger and the JBL sound system that the Curvv gets is simply terrific in terms of audio quality.
The Curvv which is based on the ATLAS architecture, comes with two petrol and a diesel engine option, and you can opt for either a 6-speed MT that is available across all the ICE variants or for a 7-Speed DCT.
We first drove the 4-cylinder, 1.5 L KryoJet Diesel engine that came with the 7-Speed DCT – a segment first. This engine puts out 116bhp and 260 Nm of torque. We drove the Curvv mostly in Sport mode to see truly what the Curvv was all about in its diesel avatar and although we did try the Eco and City mode, just to see the difference, it wasn’t long before we found ourselves turning the mode selector back to Sport mode. And for all those who are diesel heads out there and who have a lot of daily driving to do, this is what we have to say… the diesel is definitely a very good option to consider, and more so, if your drive involves a lot of highway usage because that is where the diesel engine really shines – especially as it hits three-digit speeds.
Next, we drove their latest 3-cylinder 1.2-Litre turbo petrol Hyperion engine that puts out 123bhp @5000rpm and 225Nm of torque @1750 – 3000 rpm. The engine was mated to the 6-Speed MT (which we drove), and we came away absolutely delighted with the performance of this engine, and needless to say, the power delivery was really smooth too. The Curvv performed well even at low speeds and we did not have any problems with bad roads either as it negotiated broken patches of roads beautifully, thanks to its 208mm of ground clearance which didn’t allow for us to feel the slightest bumps inside. Even overtaking maneuvers were performed smoothly and overall, we were elated with the car’s enthusiastic engine and spirited performance.
The ride and handling of the Curvv are very good and we’re happy to report that Tata Motors has done an exceptional job, yet again, when it comes to body roll, because you barely experience any. Driving at low speeds, tackling bad roads and conquering highways, the Curvv does it all, and that too with great aplomb!
In terms of safety the carmaker has left no stone unturned and from six airbags to ABS, to ESC, to EBD to TPMS to an electronic brake, the Curvv manages to pack it all in. Besides, the Curvv also gets Level 2 ADAS, and with 20 functions such as Blind Spot Detection and Lane Keep Assist, to name a few it sure felt like a very solid offering from the stables of Tata Motors.
Available in four personas, Smart, Pure, Creative, and Accomplished, in 34 versions, and with prices starting at INR 9.99 Lakh and going up to 19 Lakh, the Curvv is undoubtedly a delightful mid-sized SUV coupe, and we don’t mean that just in terms of its design, and all the tech that it has onboard, but also in terms of its performance. So, for all those of you who’re wanting something different this year, why not take the Tata Curvv out for a spin and check it out yourself?
