Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Tata Sumo

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Manufacturer
  
Tata Motors

Assembly
  
Pune, India

Body style
  
5-door, Body on Frame

Production
  
1994–present

Class
  
MUV, SUV (Sumo Grande)

Tata Sumo

Layout
  
Front Engine, Rear Wheel Drive

Tata Sumo is a multi-utility vehicle produced by India's largest automotive company, Tata Motors. The Sumo names comes from Japanese wrestlers indicating its size, stability, strength & power. The vehicle was launched in 1994 as a ten-seater jeep designed for urban, rural and military use. It was one of the first passenger vehicles designed in India. The vehicle is a competitor for the Toyota Qualis (which is narrower) and Mahindra Commander.

Contents

The Sumo is based on Tata Motors' pick-up platform and thus shared most of its other mechanics with other Tata vehicles like the Tata Sierra, Tata Estate. The Tata Sumo originally came with a 1948cc normally aspirated diesel engine. Later, an option of a turbocharged version of the same engine was also offered.

Prior to the Sumo, the Indian market had stagnated, where the most modern vehicles in the same class were from Mahindra and Mahindra, primarily derived from the original Willys Jeep models. Upon release, Tata Sumo quickly captured a major segment of the utility automobile market in India.

Within three years of its launch Tata Motors sold 100,000 Sumo vehicles.

Tata Sumo Victa

Launched in 2004 Tata Motors this was a facelift version of Tata Sumo. With all new interiors, the vehicle featured a tachometer, multifunctional instrument panel, power steering, power windows on all four doors, key-less entry and hosts of other comfort features.

In early 2007 Tata Motors launched Sumo Gold [5] This version received the all-new indigenous CR4 Engine and offered increased power of 85 PS (at 3000 rpm) and 250 Nm Torque (at 1000-2000 rpm).

Tata Spacio

Another version, called Tata Spacio was launched in 2000. This has a 2956 cc Direct Injection diesel engine (more popularly known as 4SP 3L DI) which was sourced from the popular Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Tata 407. The major changes in Spacio were in the powertrain. Riding on a longer wheelbase as compared to earlier version, Spacio used different Engine, Transmission, Rear Axle and Tires specifically to get better Fuel Economy. Apart from being a 'No-Frills' version, the prominent visual difference between Spacio and Sumo was the presence of round headlamps instead of the rectangular ones.

A soft top version of the Spacio called the Spacio ST was also introduced for the rural markets.

In early 2007 Tata Motors launched Spacio Gold Plus. This version received the Turbocharged engine of the 4SP family and offered increased power of 70 PS (at 3000 rpm) and 223 Nm Torque (at 2200 rpm).

Tata Sumo Victa Turbo DI

In later part of the 2007, Tata Motors launched the upgraded version of the Spacio Gold Plus variant. Christened as Sumo Victa DI, the power-train was carried over from the Spacio and the body styling and interiors were carried from Sumo Victa viz the positioning of the spare wheel was changed from the rear tailgate to the underbody of the vehicle. This model comes in 7 and 9 seater variants and is very much popular with private transporters & contract taxi vendors because of its lower cost and good fuel economy.

Sumo Victa Turbo DI Specifications

The Sumo Victa DI is available in 4 Trim Levels viz CX, LX, EX and GX. The basic trim (CX) comes without Power Steering and Air-conditioning and stripped down interiors. However the top trim (GX) comes with Power Steering, Power Windows, Keyless Central Locking, Front and Rear Fog Lamps, Rear Washer and Wiper, Music System, Engine Immobiliser and HVAC.

Tata Sumo Grande (2008-2015)

Tata launched the Tata Sumo Grande on January 10, 2008 powered with a new generation 2200 cc 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS) DICOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) engine. It is named after the Sumo due to its success. It features completely different body work. It lies below the Tata Safari in Tata's product portfolio.

Tata Sumo Raptor

Tata will launch a new version of Tata Sumo in 2018, based on a new lightweight platform, Codenamed ‘Raptor’ that will also introduce a new range of budget SUV’s and MUV’s. The body will have a ‘body integrated frame’ joined with the chassis.

References

Tata Sumo Wikipedia