Tata Sumo Facelift: The Sumo has a special place in the automotive history of India as one of the few cars that made private motoring accessible outside of the cities.
In its next generation avatar and with facelift in offing Tata Motors wants to revive legendary name for modern day markets while keeping the essence of tough built that made MB series a winner in different terrains.
Tata Sumo Facelift: Historical Context
Tata Sumo Evolution The Tata Sumo was introduced in 1994 and since then it has evolved to become a versatile people carrier that could glide through any road conditions India had to offer.
Called Sumo after the “Su” and “Mo” of the name of former Tata Group Chairman Sumant Moolgaokar, the vehicle was synonymous to reliability in locations where the road condition was pathetic.
Various iterations followed over the years, with updated versions such as the Spacio, Victa, Grande being launched to add more sophistication though retaining the rugged appeal of the Sumo.
The latest facelift is the deepest and most significant makeover for the heritage nameplate in the modern market.
Design Evolution
The new Sumo still retains boxy, utilitarian shape as before, which offers the maximum interior space, and now features Tata’s newly developed design elements.
At the front, there’s a modern interpretation of Tata’s signature grille design, as well as rectangular headlamps with LED DRLs on top trims, meaning that there’s a stronger visual identity present.
From the side, the vehicle still manages to keep its tall and upright demeanor with plenty of ground clearance, necessary for its intended operating environments, and retains a boxy design, although new character lines and wheel arches contribute to a more interesting, less severe look, and complement the no-nonsense, form-follows-function appearance.
The rear also features vertical tail lights and a roof hatch for easy access in confined spaces.
So it’s more an evolution than a revolution, with enough practical change to warrant it being called “new” but with enough restraint to keep it feeling very much like, well, a Sumo.
Interior Refinement
The new Sumo has more extensive changes on the inside, which are the places the old versions of the car started looking their age the most.
The dashboard is completely new, with better ergonomics, far more modern looking materials, and the kind of integrated technology that have come to expect in a new car interior.
Both the instrument cluster and centre console feature analogue and digital characteristics and the centre console houses a touchscreen infotainment unit on the higher models that comes equipped with smartphone and navigation.
Physical buttons and knobs for climate controls make it easy to adjust on uneven roads.
On the inside, seating options offer the same tried and tested seven to nine passengers, matching what Sumo’s versatility and utilitarian point of view has always been about, but with better cushioning and bolstering for more size-appropriate comfort over long hauls.
Materials throughout the cabin focus more on long-term durability than luxury, as befitting its intended use in punishing conditions over a course of years.
Powertrain Updates
Under the hood, we can expect refreshed Sumo will have Tata’s 2.2-litre Dicor diesel engine being made up to date (in terms of politeness) by better combustion and exhaust treatment.
This well tested engine generates around 120-140 horsepower to give the beast substantial torque for a utility-oriented vehicle, it has enough get up and go even when fully loaded or while your are hitting the dirt.
Transmissions Transmission choice ranges from standard 5-speed manual transmission with well-matched ratios for various operating conditions.
Choose some versions come offered with the four-wheel drive option for added off-road traction in rural areas with underdeveloped road network or during Monsoon season.
Chassis Enhancements
Structurally, the original’s tubular space frame base has been reinforced to provide extra rigidity and crash protection in light of the increased demands of today’s safety standards compared to the original Sumo’s launch in 1996.
The suspension (probably double wishbone at the front and solid axle with leaf springs at the rear) retains the commercial-grade simplicity you expect from a ute but is refined to deliver a better ride without sacrificing sugar-bag-weight carrying capacity.
Safety Framework
Security details are especially important in the facelift, which is in accordance with the regulatory requirements and customer demands.
Basic safety kit includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and seatbelt reminders for all passengers, and the body structure has crumple zones and impact beams to aid the occupants in event of a collision.
Market Positioning
Standing at the intersection of Tata’s very wide range of offerings, the new Sumo complements the more lifestyle-ish SUVs such as the Harrier and Safari — both in design and nature of function, for a practical vehicle in challenging conditions.
Its placement also recognises that there is ongoing requirement for robust, no-nonsense vehicles in rural and semi-urban areas where road infrastructure is not ideal and simplicity of maintaining a vehicle is the key.
Tata Sumo Facelift:
The Tata Sumo facelift is very much a timely upgrade of a car which became one with Indian roads and its lifestyle as the time passed by.
By upgrading core components to render them as per modern specifications while retaining the inherent toughness, which contributed to the Sumo winning hearts ever since its inception, Tata Motors has retained the Sumo’s core values that guarantees versatility on rugged roads and ensures the customers delight for enjoying their drive.