Tata smartens up Xenon bakkies

The single cabs are fitted with a limited slip differential.

The new Xenon XT now has dual front airbags, seats belts with pre-tensioners, a collapsible steering wheel, and a strengthened chassis made of thicker steel and incorporating crumple zones and side impact bars. Braking distance has been shortened and skid risks reduced with the addition of ABS brakes. Fog lamps are now standard front and rear.

The living quarters have been refurbished with better insulation to reduce noise and new additions include air-conditioning, electric windows, power steering, satnav, Bluetooth, radio, and MP3, height-adjustable steering column, bucket seats with arm rests and nifty new seat covers and practical side steps. (The entry level 4x2 model does not have satnav, radio, MP3, Bluetooth, side steps or a rubberised loading bay).

The double cabs are equipped with differential locks.

Tata's styling department has clearly put in some quality extra time on the Xenon's wardrobe which is why the Xenon now looks a lot more Continental, thanks to flared heel arches, alloy wheels, clear glass headlamps, indicator strips on the outside rear view mirrors and body colour front bumper which neatly underlines its signature chrome grill.

Just four choices

The range has been reduced to only four choices - Single Cab (4X2), Single Cab (4X4), Double Cab (4X2), and Double Cab (4X4) with the double cabs equipped with differential locks and the single cabs fitted with a limited slip differential.

All four versions have five-speed manual transmissions and are powered by the new generation 2.2L VTT DiCOR (Variable Turbine Technology, Direct Injection Common Rail) engine. Tata says this same Euro V engine now powers the Xenon range across the world and has been fine-tuned to meet domestic Euro II requirements. It delivers 110kW @ 4,000rpm and peak torque of 320Nm between 1,500rpm and 3,000rpm.Tata claims this engine is more frugal and emits less yukkie emissions than the engine it replaces.

These rough and tough bakkies have a fairly unblemished reputation as no-nonsense workhorses.

At the recent launch of the new Xenon XT, as part of a small group of Motoring scribes I had the helm of the 4x2 double-cab model on a relatively short stretch of tar and gravel roads in the Boland.

On solid black surfaces it galloped gamely along and when I occasionally showed it the whip it moved effortlessly into big fine pace. However, as soon as we hit a patch of corrugated gravel road its happy-go-lucky manner changed quite dramatically.

Exuberant - but why wasn't it sorted out?

One minute it was a smoothly galloping thoroughbred, the next it became a rearing, bucking, skittish stallion as it hopped, skipped and bounced all over the place, even at speeds as low down as 70km/h.

Whilst shuddering and shaking on the gravel it also jumped out of gear six times. When questioned afterwards the Tata suited contingent from India said they had noted the problem on the Media evaluation drive which apparently only affected some 4x2 models. Although they described it as "a minor issue, quick and easy to fix" there was no explanation as to why this was not picked up during the "extensive testing" prior to delivery to South Africa.

Quite a bit of effort has been put into styling.

click to enlarge

A local Tata executive said he, too, had only become aware of the problem during the media drive, and said all the 4x2 versions would immediately be inspected and the problem sorted out before delivery to the dealers.

The new Xenon probably felt extra jumpy because of poor condition of the gravel road, its high raised suspension (leaf springs at the back) and rigid axle system, its ladder frame chassis and the fact that it was not carrying a load.

Aiming to double sales

Tata SA is aiming to double its current Xenon sales of 100 a month and it will be targeting the new range at family and leisure, farming, mining, construction, small businesses, municipalities, government departments and hard-core 4X4 enthusiasts.

Because we didn't have the opportunity to assess is 4x4 capabilities on rough terrain or on an off-course track I cannot judge its behaviour in the real rough stuff, but these rough and tough bakkies have a fairly unblemished reputation as no-nonsense workhorses and they should prove to be more than competent over challenging terrain, particularly the 4x4 models.

All four versions have five-speed manual transmissions and are powered by the new generation 2.2L VTT DiCOR (Variable Turbine Technology, Direct Injection Common Rail) engine.

However, when it comes to the more picky family transport and leisure market the Xenon still lacks the drive quality and sophistication of others in this segment. The bakkie market is huge in this country and the competition is stiff, particularly on the leisure scene where only the best really dominate.

Where the XT is sure to do well is in the segments of the market where tractor-like hard work is the main requirement and looks, comfort, and fancy on board gear are not the main driving force.

Competitive

With all the extras the Xenon now has, including its improved safety and comfort features plus the fact that its prices are not only seriously competitive but also include a four-year/120,000 km manufacturer warranty, a four-year/120,000km anti-corrosion warranty, a five-year/90,000km service plan and four years of unlimited mileage roadside assistance, it could prove to be a money-spinner for local Tata dealerships.

Tata Xenon Full Throttle

The Xenon Double cab