News : Geneva 2017 – Tata Racemo, with a little help from our friends?

One of the less publicised, but still significant unveilings at Geneva was the new Tamo Racemo, a concept from Tata Motors. The new car is designed to be small, light and very strong, but it won’t be expensive – although no pricing details have been announced, it could well cost MX-5 money when it goes on sale towards the end of 2017.

It’s currently a concept, but one that’s heading for production. It’s built on a patented MOFlex Multi-Material Sandwich (MMS) structure, a modular platform on which the automaker can design cars across all segments. Remind you of Lotus? It should…

What’s under the engine cover?

What’s interesting about the Tamo is that it’s designed to be powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine delivering 187bhp. Doesn’t sound a lot, but given the similarities with the Lotus Elise in its makeup, we can see that being more than enough. What makes this concept even more interesting is that we hear that JLR Engineers are also working hard on updating Tata Motors cars – is this one of them?

The car is available in two forms – the Racemo and the Racemo Plus. Tata Motors CEO and Managing Director Guenter Butschek said at its unveiling: ‘We’re going beyond the borders of India, and here we’re presenting to the future of mobility.’ What we’re hoping is that it will be as cheap as it’s fun.

We liked the fact that Tata allowed us to ‘drive’ the car on the stand – it’s available on an interactive gaming platform in Microsoft’s XBox game Forza Horizon 3.

Keith Adams

4 Comments

  1. It looks like a mini 70s Lambo.

    I like it.

    Wouldn’t it be nice if Tata bought the remains of Zenos? Combine their tech with JLR’s to create a Lotus rival. It’d be great to see.

    I think there’s mileage in bringing Tata, or a different name (Lets not get into the Rover debate again) to the U.K and Europe. Aim at Dacia with Indian built cars using JLR know how.

    As Defender really no longer fits with the up-marketing of Land Rover, how about a range of Tata-built 4×4 pick-ups/crew cabs/light vans based either on what they make as Tata now or on the old Disco platform. Could call them Freight Rover?

  2. Personally I think JLR should buy Lotus. Not for the Lotus brand but for all their engineers and the Norfolk base. It would be a great place to make Jaguar sports cars and free up space at Castle Brom. The next Lotus Elise and a possible new Esprit could also be the basis of Jaguar sports cars to fit above and below the F type.

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