In the Nano year, a shocker from Tata: Grande Sumo

It seems to be the year of renaissance for Tata Motors. Not only have they created the Nano, but have also decided to revamp all their models, from Indica to Safari. Somewhere in this product profile lies the ubiquitous Sumo—a model that has always been difficult to define but has nevertheless found its way into the heart of rural and semi-urban India. The need for a revamp, a drastic one, was obvious as Sumo’s sales in the wake of Chevy Tavera and Mahindra Bolero had fallen. But how good is the end result?

Exterior
At first glance, you can’t say the Grande is actually a Sumo. The vehicle, available along with the existing Sumo Victa, comes at a premium and the exterior explains why. In a departure from the earlier rugged models, Tatas have tried to bring in some sophistication to the Sumo. It has a high stance like the lower-end SUVs, Scorpio and Safari, and no rough edges. The front grille and head lamps are more stylish, but it’s the tail lamps that the surgeon has deliberated upon. Unlike the earlier boxy, rectangular ones, these stretch from the number plate—that gets a touch of chrome—to wrap around the moulded body. The rear, however, looks heavy despite the fact that the overhang has not been tampered with too much. Overall, the vehicle looks more palatable for urban India, where we believe it is targeted, but does not have the looks of a winner.

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