New Tata Sierra EV: The reincarnation of the Tata Sierra as an all-electric vehicle is one of the most emotionally charged automotive comebacks of recent Indian automotive history.
A modern design with a retro twist, it’s a car that represents Tata’s past and its emphatic ambition in sustainable mobility.
Design Philosophy
The new Sierra EV exterior design and styling is a respectful nod to the cult classic but with its own present day identity.
The most obvious callback moment is that wraparound glass area at the back, here now filleted with a bit more sophistication into a panoramic glass roof that runs from the C-pillars.
This signature, however, is paired with a clean, minimalist front fascia highlighted by a blanked-off grille with the lit-up Tata logo and sleek led light bars that form an unique lighting signature.
The svelte side profile shows fit, sculpted proportions with simple character lines and flush doorhandles for better aerodynamics.
Based on Tata’s sophisticated ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) architecture, the Sierra EV looks and stands like a tall-riding, butch SUV of the current era, without so much of the over-the-top flourishes characterising modern luxury cross-cars.
Cabin Experience
Hop inside and the Sierra EV demonstrates an incredibly modern take on the retro lounge that was the original.
The simple dash includes a floating touchscreen infotainment and digital instrument cluster that tells you what you need to know without a bunch of visual clutter to distract you.
Sustainable materials are also in the mix here, with recycled fabrics, responsibly-sourced wood trim, and eco-friendly substitutes for traditional leather upholstery.
The Sierra has always flaunted its back room as the party piece, and in electric form, it has laid out that space in reconfigurable lounge-like seating that maximizes the feeling of openness further puffed up by that panoramic glass roof.
Clever packaging also extends to the multifunctional storage compartments and flat floor which lack a traditional transmission tunnel, optimising interior versatility.
Electric Powertrain
Tata’s Ziptron electric architecture, tweaked for the Sierra EV, serves as the base for this vehicle.
The advanced powertrain has a permanent magnet synchronous motor that delivers around 170 horsepower and 250 Nm of instant torque, for a power start typical of an electric vehicle.
The eVerito gets its juice through a lithium-ion battery pack, which could have a capacity of around 60 kWh, with a claimed range in excess of 450 kilometers on the modified Indian driving cycle.
There’s a pair of USB ports inside plus an AC outlet in the back, though you should not touch any of the ports while things are live unless you want to play with a rubber ducky key logger or any one of a half dozen USB transformer based attacks.
Driving Dynamics
The electric architecture of the Sierra EV provides an impressive driving experience, and the aforementioned low-mounted battery pack gives it a favorable center of gravity to promote stability.
The regenerative braking system has multiple selectable levels and you can one-pedal drive in its most aggressive, which is highly useful in a city.
The suspension setting is quite cushy but the overall composure is well-maintained as the suspension soaks all the potholes and keeps body motion in check as you change directions, quickly.
The electric power steering weights up predictably and provides adequate feedback; access to all that torque through the throttle pedal means you will never be left floundering when overtaking, no matter what the traffic speed.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Unique design that sets you apart from the crowd.
Nostalgic components are then reworked for contemporary tastes
Real-world range is impressive enough for inter-urban commuting
Luxurious, lounge-like interior with unique seating arrangements
Quiet, smooth operation, with instantaneous torque delivery
OTA-updatable full stack connected car tech
Solid projected boot values as an iconic Indian EV
Limitations
High-end positioning expected beyond mainstream affordability
Limited out-of-the-gate charging network, particularly in non-urban areas
1 First gen tech might be less reliable
Possible thermal problems in cold and hot climates
Specialised EV workshop maintenance limited service network and availability.
Wraparound glass can affect response rate of climate control
Nostolgic looks may not appeal to younger buyers
New Tata Sierra EV: Market Position
The Tata Sierra EV stakes a claim at its aspiration for emotional nature above and beyond the typical landscape based purely on rationale.
Instead of fighting head-to-head with mainstream electric models, it opens a new sort of niche for buyers who value uniqueness of design and a connection to heritage in the car they chose to be electric.
The Sierra EV is more than simply another product from Tata Motors however- it’s a representation of Tata Motors’ journey from a value-conscious automaker to a pioneering one with deep-rooted Indian design expertise.
The car bridges several generations of car users while reflecting the commitment of Tata Motors to environment and consumer need, perfecting the best product designed in India, for India.