Tata Motors has announced that it would be dropping the Zica nameplate for its upcoming budget hatchback empathizing with the hardships being caused by the recent ‘Zika’ virus outbreak across many countries.
Tata Motors was all set to launch the Zica hatchback in India last month but for some reason the company has been postponing its launch further. We now know the reason as the company has officially announced that it would be renaming its upcoming hatchback. The Tata Zica will be showcased for the first time to general public at the 2016 Auto Expo as planned but will be revealing the new name in a few weeks time.
‘Zika’ is a deadly virus that has caught a gripe on Latin America and is spreading at an alarming rate all over the world. The Zika virus is a mosquito borne pathogen, which is responsible for many neurological problems and birth defects. So much so that the World Health Organisation summoned a meeting to discuss the danger of the Zika Virus leading to a global health emergency. Hence, Tata Motors, as a socially responsible company, has decided to re-brand the car.
The car comes with a all new pair of engines – a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Revotron petrol and a 1.05-litre 3-cylinder Revotorq diesel engine. They are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox but will be getting a AMT automatic gearbox soon after its launch. The car gets many firsts for its class like a brilliant sounding Harman audio system and in-car android app support on the infotainment system.
The Tata Zica (‘ZIppy CAr’) was marked as the turning point in the Indian car maker’s history, to begin with an all new innings in the budget hatchback segment. The company also came up with a brand new ad campaign along with brand ambassador Lionel Messi. So clearly Tata Motors are banking quite a lot on this new product to change fortunes for the company. We drove the car last month in Goa and came away pretty impressed with its all-rounder abilities. Read our road test review here.
