Tata’s Latest Salvo in the MUV space: Sumo Grande Mark II

Tata Motors has fired off another salvo to reconquer the people mover segment, the segment which it once ruled with it’s people mover, the Sumo.

Tata Sumo Grande Mark II Tata Sumo Grande Mark II

Tata Sumo Grande Mark II

Tata Motors has fired off another salvo to reconquer the people mover segment, the segment which it once ruled with it’s people mover, the Sumo. The Sumo evolved from a 68 bhp IDI diesel engine to get the first gen Safari’s 90 Bhp. Then it got better interiors and Tata tried to peddle it to the family men with the Victa. Even this couldn’t steal the Qualis’ thunder. So, Tata brought in the Tata Sumo Grande even as Toyota killed the Qualis to bring in the Innova.

Tata Sumo Grande Mark II Tata Sumo Grande Mark II

Tata Sumo Grande Mark II

But, as things stand currently, the Sumo Grande struggled against the Innova and the Xylo too. Now, in a bid to make the Sumo Grande more appealing, Tata Motors have given their premier people mover a facelift. The facelifted version is called the Sumo Grande Mark II. What have Tata managed to change in the Grande Mark II that help it register respectable numbers. For starters, the front gets a session with the beautician for a smarter look. The new grille heighten the Grande’s appeal from the front. The breadbox sides also get rubbing strips which manage to slightly lessen the slabby feel. Overall, the Mark II is still a breadbox, but slightly a better looking version than the previous iteration.

Tata Sumo Grande Mark II Tata Sumo Grande Mark II

Tata Sumo Grande Mark II

Coming to the engine, it is the familiar unit from the Tata Safari. The detuned 2.2 liter DICOR diesel pumps out 120 BHP of power and 250 NM of torque. This obviously will endow the Grande Mark II with sprightly performance. When Tata does overhaul a car and launch a newer version they do so by changing plenty of minute details that won’t necessarily be just the engine and styling. The biggest change is in the suspension department with newly anchored stabilizer bars for the double wishbone coil springs in the front and the parabolic leaf springs at the rear and a more optimized differential ratio.

Tata Sumo Grande Mark II Tata Sumo Grande Mark II

Tata Sumo Grande Mark II

Coming to the interiors, now beige is the what you will get to see in the Mark II version. People were griping about plastics in the earlier version. Unfortunately Tata hasn’t done what they did brilliantly with the Manza’s interiors. Nevertheless, the Grande Mark II is an improved version. The best part however is the price cut of Rs 30,000 which makes the Grande Mark II a compelling option, especially for buyers who want a decently speced MUV cheaper than the Xylo and the Innova. The cheapest variant of the Sumo Grande costs Rs 6.43 Lakhs with the top end version will set you back by 7.5 Lakhs, both ex-showroom New Delhi.