Tata Aria Test drive and Review

Author: ravikigul4

For an all new vehicle, Tata has surprisingly carried forward the Safari's 2.2L Dicor engine. But Tata says the engine is completely a different beast relative to one being used in safari or sumo grande. Aria powered by 2.2L DICOR engine produces 140PS at 4000rpm and 320Nm of peak torque between 1700rpm to 2700rpm. The engine has evolved with the addition of dual mass flywheel (DMF) which demands to run the engine at near idle rpms for better fuel efficiency. Tata has worked on the G-76 gearbox (used in safari) for Aria.

Out on the road, Aria 2200cc heart feels much responsive to drivers input. The 2.2L mill produces ample torque to push this 2.7 tonned machine over anywhere. The added gift is 320Nm of surplus torque is available from lower rpms. Aria easily hits a top whack of 170kmph which is quiet good to move between cities. But the gearbox still transfers vibrations through the gear-lever. The refinement too is nothing to boast about.

You would expect a crossover such as Aria as monocoque built (like a CR-V), but Tata has opted for a ladder frame chassis. Tata engineers believe that ladder frame would suit for rugged Indian conditions. If Tata claims Aria has an underpinning of an SUV, it is logically true. But the downside Tata Aria is heavier (fatter than the Toyota fortuner). Aria weighs 2720kg. Tata Aria chassis is said to be 2.5 times stiffer than safari chassis due to hydroform construction for better dynamics. But out on the road, this bulky crossover is hard to handle. No amount of electronics managed to defy this (read ESP,TCS, ABS and disc brakes).

Aria rides on 235/65 R17 tyres on all wheels. Tata has intentionally added All-wheel drive / 4-wheel drive mode in all variants of Aria (termed as Adapterra). You would defaultly drive Aria in an 4WD mode but you can switch to 2WD only by simple push of button on the dash (see through the dash buttons harder to locate it). Aria is basically a rear wheel drive crossover on activating the 2WD it simply disengages the drive We didn't get a chance to discern the different driving modes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/tata-aria-test-drive-and-review-4339109.html

About the Author

Vickynitin is a popular enthusiast on Indian automotives. He writes about india bike and answers many user queries.