Packaging constraints posed by the combination of the Fiat diesel engine and Land Rover platform mean Tata’s flagship will not get an all-wheel-drive system in the near future.

If you're an off-road enthusiast and have been waiting for the launch of the Tata Harrier, we have some bad news for you - Tata's new SUV will not be offered with all-wheel drive, at least not in the near future.

As you may know, the Tata Harrier is based on Land Rover's L550 platform, and will be powered by a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine. It’s learned that packaging the Fiat engine for an all-wheel drive setup in the Land Rover platform would require major re-engineering – specifically, modifying the position of the propeller shaft. Given the high costs involved with making such a change and the low demand for all-wheel drive SUVs in the segment, Tata Motors has no immediate plans to launch an AWD version of the Harrier.

The front-wheel drive Harrier will, however, get a Land Rover-like Terrain Response controller with multiple modes for the ESP system. Tata has also revealed teaser videos of its SUV being tested in tough conditions, so the promise is that the Harrier will, at the very least, be more capable than its fellow front-wheel drive rivals.

However, at some point during the Harrier’s lifecycle, an AWD version could be developed if there is demand for it, especially in export markets. The most likely possibility is a sporty variant of the Harrier, powered by JLR’s 2.0-litre Ingenium engines, in which case the packaging of the entire powertrain and AWD drive system would not be a problem.

Of the other details we can confirm, the Harrier will get a hydraulic power steering rather than a costlier - if more efficient - electric power steering.

The Tata Harrier will be launched in mid-January 2019, and is expected to cost between Rs 16-21 lakh (on-road).

Courtesy : Autocar

New five-seat SUV slots in above the CR-V; gets a 284hp, 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and optional all-wheel-drive.

Honda has revealed a new five-seat SUV at the ongoing LA motor show, called the Passport. The new model, which revives the nameplate in the US market, will slot above the CR-V in the Japanese carmaker’s range.

Based on a monocoque chassis, the new Passport gets a single engine-gearbox combination – a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine making 284hp and 355Nm of peak torque that is mated to a 9-speed torque convertor automatic transmission. While drive is sent to the front wheels as standard, customers can also spec the SUV with Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system. The all-wheel-drive system can send up to 70 percent of the engine’s output to individual rear wheels and comes with four modes including sand, snow and mud. If specced with the standard front-wheel-drive layout, the Passport gets two drive modes – normal and snow.

The cabin of the Honda Passport is claimed to be class leading due to its larger size and five-seat layout. This also means that boot space is excellent with 1,167 litres available, which expands to 2,206 litres with the 60:40 split folding rear seats down.

In terms of features, the Passport SUV is quite well kitted. A 590-watt audio system comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen (on the higher-spec models), which gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lower trims get a 215-watt audio system with a 5.0-inch display. Honda has provided a number of driver assistance systems across all variants including emergency auto braking and forward collision warning, lane departure alerts and lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise, cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree camera.

Honda in India has recently launched the fifth-gen CR-V at Rs 28.15-32.75 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The carmaker has not revealed plans to bring the Passport SUV to India.

Courtesy : Autocar

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Courtesy : Zigwheels