I own a Santro Xing XG and just the otherday, I had gone to Cocorde Motors (TATA Motors Dealer at Bangalore) to have a look and test ride all the new launches from TATA Motors-SUMO Victa, New Indica V2, Indigo DLX / GLX. I test drove the Indica V2 DLS and am utterly disappointed. The moment I sat in the drivers seat and closed the door, I looked around inside the car. I found the door trims are very poorly finished. The red paint of the car can be seen at the door corners-Probably you can keep reminding yourselves what’s the color of ur car.
I mean the beading doesn’t wrap the door frame completely.
The dashboard finish is really horrible and the instrument console(for A/C) is ugly and loks outdated. Then I started the car, rooled up the window glasses and switched on the A/C. The car is smooth and fast (though it’s less powerful, 60 BHP I suppose).
One would hardly notice the traditional DIESEL engine sound and the A/C is really quiet. I took the car around for 10 KMand the feeling I had was ’’ the car is good’’.
I brought it back to the dealer and then opened the boot. This is another ugliest portions of the car. The boot first of all is ’’LOW LYING’’ and it takes a hell out of you if u are to load and offload heavy stuff.
Then I noticed projections on either sides of the boot which are covered with ugly rubber covers. When I fipped, I noticed they are the shock absorbers.
All in all my feeling is that TATA has to do a lot of refinement in Indica V2.
It stands no where in comparison to Santro Xing or for that matter even Wagon R in terms of product quality and finish. Only advantage that can ensure future for Indica is its diesel engine.
If Maruti and Hyundai decide to come out with Diesel variants in their Wagon R and Santro, that may signal end of life for Indica.
Just see what happened to Ambassador and Premier Padmini after Maruti 800 was launched.