Tata Motors is working on a sub-4-metre SUV called ‘Scarlet’ that will be a spiritual successor to the Sierra and feature boxy design and multiple turbo engine options by 2030.
The homegrown carmaker has confirmed the Tata Scarlet as one of seven completely new nameplates to be introduced by 2030. This sub-4-metre compact SUV will join the Punch and Nexon in Tata’s range and focus at lifestyle-oriented buyers looking Sierra-inspired design in a more manageable package.
Bold Sierra-Inspired Design Language
The Scarlet features the more vertical, blocky stance of the original Sierra that made it a legend. The early design notes propose clean lines, slab sides and that undeniable old-school-S.U.V. presence that will look out of place in traffic.
Key design elements include:
- Chassis of monocoque type for both ICE and electric powertrain
- Sierra based design in a small foot print
- Bold, vertical design provides simple lines without curvilinear details
- Urban and adventure positioning as a lifestyle SUV
Turbo Charged Power: Choose Your Own Adventure
The Scarlet will debut with a couple of turbocharged petrol engines then, offering purchasers a range of outputs and price points.
Confirmed Engine Options:
- 1.2L Turbo Petrol: 120bhp from Nexon (lowest trim)
- 1.2L Direct Injection Turbo – 125bhp from the Curvv
- 1.5L Turbo Petrol: 170bhp, 280Nm – Tata’s Most Powerful SUV
The leading-edge 1.5L engine provides serious power up from existing small SUVs. This all-aluminium, direct-injection engine has advanced combustion technology and variable geometry turbocharging.
Price Plan: Nexon Territory With Premium Desirability
Tata predicts that Scarlet will price between Punch and Nexon, where one price point below and above will not challenge and overlap but will be interesting.
Current market context:
- Tata Punch: ₹6.20 – 10.32 lakh
- Tata Nexon: ₹8.00 – 15.60 lakh
- Tata Scarlet (Expected): ₹8.00 – 15.50 lakh
The Scarlet is intended to aim at previously underpenetrated sub-segments, such as customers who desire the bold character of Sierra, but need compact footprints for city driving.
Electric Future: EV Version Confirmed
As with all new Tatas, the Scarlet will have an electric powertrain as one of the options. The architecture of the flexible platform caters to both ICE and EV versions, and it does allow the possibility for all-wheel drive in the electric variant.
This two-powertrain approach ties in with the promise Tata has made to bring two of every kind of SUV there is to the market – meaning buyers will have both traditional and eco-friendly alternatives whatever the size of SUV they choose.
Market Positioning: Lifestyle Over Volume
The Scarlet, the symbol of Tata’s endeavor to transcend the numbers game. Whereas the Punch and Nexon run towards mass market, the Scarlet caters to consumers who seek a differentiated design and premium features.
This strategy of positioning is much like that employed by successful launches such as the Curvv, which found a category virtually free it could carve for itself.
Read Also: Next-Gen Tata Harrier, Safari to Launch with AWD Technology
Timeline A Piece Of 2030 Product Blitz
The Scarlet is part of Tata’s ₹35,000 crore product revolution, and is to be launched in the latter half of this decade. The company is targeting 30 new products by 2030 — including several compact SUVs designed to appeal to different buyer personas.
But There’s A Twist: Tata hasn’t substantiated any official launch dates in regards to the Scarlet, so it might be more like 2028-2030 than within the next month.
The Scarlet will bring the same bold and aggressive Sierra that truck owners have loved to the compact SUV segment with a unique proposal to traditional vehicles in this segment. Scarlet owners will drive off the lot in a truck with the same attitude in a compact SUV. With the range of turbo petrol engines and electric options, it might as well change the way prospects view sub-4-metre SUVs.