The Curvv EV arrives with a putting design, a feature-rich cabin and a claimed vary of as much as 585km. Let’s see if it lives as much as expectations.
The all-new Tata Curvv marks the producer’s first foray into the midsize SUV section, which has been dominated by established gamers such because the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Whereas the ICE model has been revealed and can go on sale quickly, the Curvv EV is the primary to be launched. It’s obtainable in two distinct variations – 45 and 55 – signifying the battery capability. We bought an opportunity to drive the range-topping Curvv EV 55 Empowered variant, and this is our take.
Tata Curvv EV overview: design and dimensions
One of many greatest speaking factors in regards to the Curvv is its styling. After we first noticed the idea on the Auto Expo final 12 months, we had been wowed by its futuristic design however skeptical about what number of components would make it to the manufacturing mannequin. That is the place Tata has knocked it out of the park, because the Curvv EV seems prefer it has come straight off the present flooring.
The entrance finish options the acquainted Tata look, just like the Nexon EV and Punch EV, with a skinny LED gentle bar spanning the width on the high, a closed-off grille that homes the charging port behind the Tata emblem, and a classy, chrome-trimmed decrease airdam. All lights are LEDs, and there’s a pretend skid plate. The primary headlamp cluster is positioned on the outer edges of the chiseled bumper. Like the opposite two electrical SUVs, the Curvv’s gentle bar additionally reveals welcome/goodbye animations and doubles up as a cost standing indicator. Nonetheless, throughout our take a look at drive, the DRLs stopped working briefly.
LED gentle bar reveals welcome/goodbye animation and cost standing.
Alongside the perimeters, Tata has outfitted the Curvv EV with aero-efficient door handles that sit flush with the physique and have a small gentle for finding them at nighttime. Not like different automobiles with comparable handles, the Curvv’s don’t reveal themselves whenever you unlock the automotive; as an alternative, you must press one finish after which pull the flap from the opposite. Essentially the most noticeable design function on the facet is the attribute sloping roofline, which is neatly built-in into the boot lid. Tata has additionally used physique cladding across the wheel arches and on the decrease portion of the doorways to interrupt up the visible mass. Nonetheless, it’s completed in gloss black, which might be troublesome to maintain scratch-free and clear. The wheels are 18-inches with an aero-optimised design, additional enhancing the Curvv’s idea automotive seems.
Identical to the entrance, there’s a full-width LED gentle bar on the rear too, and a pretend silver skid plate beneath the gloss black quantity plate housing. There’s a roof-mounted spoiler factor, a shark-fin antenna, and, like all coupe-SUVs, it lacks a rear washer/wiper. Additional, the raked rear finish additionally signifies that rear visibility is not nice from the within. The Curvv EV is being provided in 5 paint shades and the “Digital Dawn” shade you see right here seems unbelievable within the steel. Tata has additionally debuted a brand new key fob with the Curvv EV, completed in gloss black and brushed aluminum, which seems and feels considerably extra upmarket than the earlier model.
Flush door handles function a small gentle that will help you find them at nighttime.
The Curvv EV measures 4,310mm in size, 1,810mm in top, and 1,637 mm in width, and has a 2,560mm wheelbase, making it bigger than the Nexon EV in all facets besides top. In comparison with the MG ZS EV, the Curvv EV’s size, top and wheelbase are 13mm, 12mm and 25mm much less, respectively. Floor clearance is a sizeable 186mm with the 55kWh variations (190mm for 45kWh), whereas the 18-inch wheels are the most important within the section. Tata additionally claims a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution and a water wading capability of 450mm.
Just like the Punch EV, the Curvv EV is predicated on Tata’s Acti.ev structure, which implies it advantages from an 11.6-litre frunk that may accommodate the charging cables (with out its case, nonetheless). The rear boot affords a spacious 500 liters and could be additional expanded with the 60:40 split-folding rear seat. Moreover, it comes with a correct spare tire and a puncture restore equipment.
500-litre boot can swallow a whole lot of baggage.
Tata Curvv EV overview: inside and options
Step contained in the cabin, and also you’ll discover that a lot of the dashboard is shared with the Nexon EV. It will get the identical fundamental design, together with the 2 giant screens on high and the gloss-black HVAC panel decrease down. What’s totally different is the four-spoke steering wheel, which can also be shared with the brand new Safari/Harrier, and the textured trim piece on the sprint. Tata’s use of sunshine gray and ivory upholstery on this top-spec Empowered variant is visually interesting and accentuates the sense of area inside, though will probably be difficult to maintain clear. The entrance seats are notably comfy, with comfortable padding and glorious assist. Moreover, the motive force’s seat is electrically adjustable, whereas the entrance passenger seat affords top adjustment and each seats function air flow.
What’s a downer although is that, just like the Nexon EV, the Curvv EV lacks correct cupholders up entrance. The USB and 12V slots, positioned forward of the gear lever, are onerous to achieve, and the storage beneath the armrest is restricted. The steering wheel, whereas enticing, isn’t as good to carry. It’s angled barely away from you, the rim is a bit too thick for my liking, and the horn pad within the centre isn’t properly completed, with a pointy edge on high. Nonetheless, the general match/end, and materials high quality are first rate and acceptable for this value level.
Legroom is lots however headroom might be tight for folks over 6 toes.
The longer wheelbase in comparison with the Nexon means you will have extra legroom in the back of the Curvv, however, unsurprisingly, headroom is much less as a result of roofline. Nonetheless, folks as much as six toes tall can match comfortably, because of the scooped-out headliner and the backrest that may be reclined. Nonetheless, taller passengers could discover the under-thigh assist missing as a result of excessive flooring owing to the battery placement beneath. Creature comforts again right here embody AC vents, a USB Sort C charging port and a centre armrest with cupholders.
Full display screen navigation could be displayed on the instrument cluster.
Tata has additionally thrown the whole lot on the Curvv by way of options. It begins with the slick 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, shared with the Nexon EV. Along with regular smartphone connectivity, it additionally consists of Tata’s arcade.ev app suite, which packs in a number of streaming providers and video games to maintain you entertained whereas charging. The ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster is crisp and vibrant, although considerably cluttered. A notable function is the choice to show the blind view monitor both on the touchscreen or within the cluster itself; the Nexon EV solely reveals it on the touchscreen. You’ll be able to even have the navigation as a full display screen within the cluster like Audi’s Digital cockpit, however we did discover some points with it. For instance, the full-screen map disappears when you point out, and the blind view monitor pops up within the cluster. So, it is advisable reselect the full-screen map after every indication. However this gained’t be a problem do you have to select to show the blind view monitor on the touchscreen.
You even have the choice of displaying the blind view monitor within the cluster.
New options embody a panoramic sunroof, configurable ambient lighting, an electrical tailgate with gesture management, a sound alert as much as speeds of 20kph to warn pedestrians, and Degree 2 ADAS tech. In our restricted time with the automotive, ADAS options just like the lane maintain help and the adaptive cruise management labored properly. Additionally a part of the gear listing is leatherette upholstery, a superb-sounding 9-speaker JBL audio system, a crisp 360-degree digicam, a wi-fi cellphone charger with cooling, auto headlamps/wipers, and related automotive tech through Tata’s iRA app.
Curvv EV options an electrical tailgate with gesture management.
Just like the Nexon EV, the Curvv EV too comes with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-load (V2L) know-how, which implies it may be used to cost different EVs or energy electrical home equipment. Tata is even providing a variety of equipment with the Curvv EV. As for security, top-spec Curvv EVs get 6 airbags, ESP, an digital parking brake with auto maintain, entrance and rear parking sensors, hill-hold help, hill-descent management, and disc brakes throughout.
Tata Curvv EV overview: powertrain and efficiency
Powering the Curvv EV is a front-mounted, everlasting magnet synchronous motor that sends energy to the entrance wheels solely. Whereas each variants, the 45 and 55, have the identical 215Nm torque output, the 55 makes the next 167hp than the 45’s 150hp. Three drive modes are part of the bundle – Eco, Metropolis and Sport – managed through the rotary knob within the centre console.
Curvv EV will get a front-mounted motor; frunk capability is 11.6 litres.
As anticipated, the Curvv EV feels essentially the most energetic in Sport mode. Throttle response is fast and it’ll provide the full reserve of torque, not like the opposite drive modes which prohibit it to about 70 %. The highest pace can also be the next 160kph in Sport, in comparison with 120kph in Eco and Metropolis. Tata claims a 0-100kph time of 8.6sec, however we managed to get a time of 9.6sec in our preliminary assessments which had been less than our regular requirements.
As compared, the facility supply feels extra measured and linear within the Eco and Metropolis modes and they’re those that really feel greatest fitted to on a regular basis use. Even in essentially the most docile Eco mode, progress is fast sufficient, as we timed it to do 0-100kph in 11.6sec. What’s good is that the motor’s NVH is well-contained and you’ll’t hear a whole lot of that electrical whine whenever you’re on the transfer.
Tata Curvv EV overview: battery, vary and charging
As talked about earlier, there’s two battery packs to select from – a 45kWh and a 55kWh. We bought to expertise the 55, which has claimed vary of 585km on the MIDC cycle. On our drive, we coated 241km which introduced the battery down from one hundred pc to 33 %, with an effectivity of 6.54km/kWh. This interprets to an actual world vary of about 359km. Do word although, that almost all of our operating was finished in Eco mode and on the freeway, however we did additionally drive it in Sport mode and thru metropolis streets for a bit. The true-world vary is spectacular and can even allow sure intra metropolis travels.
It is able to DC quick charging as much as 70kW; charging flap is electrically operated.
One other enchancment over the Nexon EV is quick charging. Whereas the Nexon accepts as much as 50kW, the Curvv EV can quick cost at as much as 70kW. This implies it might go from 10 to 80 % in simply 40 minutes with a DC quick charger for the 55 variants. As normal, all Curvv EV variants include a 7.2kW AC charger, which may cost the battery from 10 to one hundred pc in practically 8 hours for the 55 and 6.5 hours for the 45. It may also be charged through a regular 15A wall socket.
The Curvv additionally comes with 4 ranges of regen braking, that are managed through the steering-mounted paddles. Degree 1 works properly on the freeway and permits for some coasting, whereas Degree 3 permits one-pedal driving, greatest suited to town.
Tata Curvv EV overview: experience and dealing with
Like all Tatas, experience and dealing with are a advantage of the Curvv EV. It’s arrange on the firmer facet, which may make it really feel lumpy at low speeds. However as speeds enhance, it feels robust and composed, even on the worst of roads. Bump absorption is great however you’ll be able to hear the suspension working over sharp bumps.
The Curvv EV has composed street manners.
Whereas we didn’t encounter many corners on Rajasthan’s straight highways, the Curvv EV’s dealing with could be described as tidy. Physique roll is saved properly in test, the steering is direct if not a bit too hefty, and the grip from the EV-specific tyres is first rate. Additionally, the cabin is well-insulated from street and tyre noise.
Tata Curvv EV overview: value and verdict
Costs for the Curvv EV vary from Rs 17.49 lakh to Rs 21.99 lakh (ex-showroom). As compared, the Nexon EV vary is priced between Rs 14.49 lakh and Rs 19.29 lakh (ex-showroom). For the additional money, you get a bigger SUV with extra boot area, higher vary, enhanced efficiency, and extra options. The Curvv EV additionally manages to undercut its direct rival, the MG ZS EV, which prices between Rs 18.98 lakh and Rs 25.44 lakh, by a big margin. On-road pricing of the Curvv EV is at par with petrol and diesel midsize SUVs (Creta N line and Seltos X line), making it a notable possibility. The Curvv EV additionally will get an 8-year/1,60,000km guarantee on the battery and motor and a 3-year/1,25,000km guarantee on the car.
It manages to undercut the MG ZS EV and is priced on par with different diesel/turbo-petrol midsize SUVs.
At first look, the Curvv EV may seem to be a Nexon EV in fancy clothes. Nonetheless, contemplating the extra advantages it will get over the Nexon EV — equivalent to battery measurement, extra options, elevated passenger and baggage area, and the added outlay — the cash spent feels justified. Certain, it is bought compromises and it does want some software program fine-tuning to iron out the bugs, however these pale compared to this SUV’s strengths. It’s got the concept-car seems that stands out, spacious and sensible design, spectacular real-world vary, composed street manners, and an intensive function set. Tata Motors simply is aware of how one can get mass-market EVs proper and it’s no coincidence that it’s the market chief in that respect, and the Curvv EV simply occurs to be one of the best one they’ve put out but.
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