Tata Indigo XL Car Review in India

Tata Motors' long wheelbased Indigo XL, India's first stretch limousine, is a combination of comfort, luxury, style, and performance. The Indigo XL has created a niche for itself in the indigenous car market and competes with the cars in its segment on the basis of its interior space, features and benefits.

The indigenous Indigo XL made its debut in 2002. It is an extension of its predecessors in terms of comfort, performance and added features. It comes with a set of luxury paraphernalia such as leather trimmings and lush interior facilities.

The Indigo XL is available in three body-styles - sedan, station wagon and estate, in petrol as well as diesel versions. It comes in four variants: the Grand Petrol, Classic Petrol, Grand Dicor and Classic Dicor. The Grand Petrol and Classic Petrol are its petrol versions while Grand Dicor and Classic Dicor run on diesel. The Classic variants have just been introduced to the market.

The Indigo XL comes with a choice of two new advanced 1.4-litre engines; a petrol and another Dicor diesel engine.

Performance is great with the 1.4L petrol engine, which is a dual-cam unit breathing through 16 valves, generating 100 bhp of power @ 6,100 rpm and 124 Nm of torque @ 3,500 rpm. The 1.4 DICOR delivers 69 bhp of power @ 4,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 140 Nm @ 1,800-3,000 rpm.

The TATA engineers have brainstormed to design this long wheelbase machine, which generously allows its rear passengers to stretch themselves without restraint. The 200 mm increase in its wheelbase comes as a welcome change, offering a comfortable ride to the rear passengers.

To account for the increased length of the Indigo XL, its torsional rigidity has also been enhanced. The same suspension set-up has been retained matching that of its predecessors, the Indigo and the Marina. The front wheels are mated with independent McPherson Struts with coil springs and anti-roll bar, while the rear wheels have 3-link McPherson Struts with anti-roll bar.

Handling has been improved with rack and pinion steering accompanied by a collapsible steering column. Riding on its tubeless tyres are 9-spoke, 14-inch alloy wheels that add to the muscular touch.

With a wheelbase of 2,650 mm, extended by 200 mm over the current sedan, the Indigo XL comes with expanded interiors and stretched legroom. The 6-way powered front seats with lumbar support and a separate rear air-conditioner with independent controls make the XL a luxury car in its segment. Foldable armrest with cup-holders and an independent rear air-conditioning unit with blower speed controls are part of luxury features at the rear, accompanied by bench-type seating.

European leather adorns the rear seat along with shades of wood in dual-tone interiors. A new soft-feel wood and leather combo steering wheel and one-touch power windows complete the comfort experience.

The model comes operational with a DVD based 4-speaker integrated entertainment system, and for those long drives, the rear passengers get the advantage of headrest-mounted twin LCD screens. The Indigo XL also comes equipped with a car phone with blue-tooth connectivity. A 12V socket in the rear console enables electronic equipment to be charged.

Built-in immobiliser with remote keyless entry, central locking and anti-theft system are the standard safety features of all the variants. Above 1,500 rpm, the doors have auto-locking facility. Anti-submarine front seats, child safety locks and seat belts are some more features available in all the four variants.