Tata unveils Sierra e-SUV

The Sierra is back. But not from Ford. And not as a sedan either. And the drive system has nothing in common with the vehicle that Ford sold almost three million times in the 1980s and 1990s. The Indian manufacturer Tata Motors, owner of the traditional British brands Jaguar and Land Rover, presented the Sierra EV at the India Auto Expo in mid-January, a concept for an electric SUV that is ready for series production.

The production version of the Sierra EV, which is in the compact mid-size class, is scheduled for market launch in 2025. There is no information on the technical specifications as yet. The Sierra will be based on the company's ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) platform, which allows for combustion engine versions in addition to an all-electric powertrain.

Tata plans to launch ten electric models in India by 2027. Already available are the four-metre-long Nexon EV e-SUV and the high-legged compact Tigor EV e-limousine. Deliveries of the Tiago EV electric small car, the Indian company's third e-model to date, are scheduled to start this month.

The models are all quite simple in design. The Tiago, for example, is available with a 19 kWh and a 24 kWh battery pack. Nevertheless, the basic version of the e-car, which costs the equivalent of just over 10,000 euros, is supposed to travel up to 250 km and 315 km respectively. Quite realistic, after all, the engine of the spartan electric car only produces 45 kW or 55 kW in a more powerful version.

The Nexon e-SUV is a bit more sporty, but it also has a power output of only 95 kW and can travel up to 320 kilometres with a 30 kWh battery, according to the manufacturer. The more powerful Nexon variant, the EV Max, with a 40 kWh battery, can travel up to 440 kilometres and, at 105 kW, also has a little more power. The Max version is available in India for a good 22,000 euros.

And anyone who now thinks, oh, this much electric car would be enough for me - will be disappointed. Tata sells its electric models only on the Indian market.