Until now the Tata Evolve special edition has always been offered in white. But the buyers have wanted more than just white. So, as a response the company that makes the Tata cars for southern Africa, Accordian Investments, has added black as a limited exterior colour. It has, it says, “listened to input from customers and potential customers.”
The Tata Evolve special edition is based on the Xenon XT model and was designed for buyers looking for higher specification double cab pick-ups at a reasonable price.
The Evolve is very competitively priced with a significantly different exterior and interior appearance to distinguish it from the other models in the Xenon range. The Evolve is offered as a 4×2 model and the retail price of the limited edition Evolve models is unchanged since introduction of around N$280 000. A 4×4 model is also available, but only by special order.
The exterior of the Evolve Special Edition has a number of important, added value features including a roll-over bar behind the cab, side steps, a front nudge bar and a tow bar as well as unique badging and a special decal package. The alloy wheels have been revised as an additional distinguishing feature.
The big change to the interior is luxury leather trim for the seats, while the Evolve logo also appears on the interior floor mats.
The Xenon range blends modern styling, comprehensive safety features, including ABS and dual front airbags, as well as a host of convenience features such as GPS navigation and Bluetooth compatibility. Other items of standard equipment are electric windows, power steering, an audio system with an MP3 player and a tilt-adjustable steering column.
The Evolve is powered by a new generation 2.2-litre turbo Tata diesel engine with variable valve timing, variable turbine technology and direct injection with a common fuel rail. It develops 110kW of power at 4 000r/min with peak torque of 320N.m available between 1 500-3 000/min.
Power goes to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission, with the option of four-wheel drive models for harsh off-road driving. The double cab models have lockable rear differentials to aid traction in loose or slippery conditions.
“The Tata Xenon Evolve special edition model has proved to be an excellent example of the way in which Tata listens to input from its customers and dealers,” said Kyri Michael, the CEO of Accordian Investments. “This has resulted in us now offering the Evolve in black in addition to the well received and well sought after white for the growing market of South Africans using double cab bakkies, to even better suit their business and leisure needs.