Tata Motors has just launched the Sierra EV yesterday at a grand stage in Mumbai. The company is offering Sierra EV for a starting price of Rs 18.79 lakh (Ex-sh) and there are multiple trim levels and battery options to choose from. Buyers can also choose single-motor or dual-motor configs and then different AC chargers too.
What buyers cannot choose, is the Sierra EV Sanctuary Edition which is a topless version of Sierra EV, showcased at the launch event. It has three-row theatre seating and a roll cage for rollover protection. But is strictly not sold to private buyers, but will be made available to wildlife sanctuaries in the country.
Sierra EV Sanctuary Edition
When Tata Motors made a dedicated custom safari vehicle for wildlife sanctuaries and conservation centres in India, one would think it would be positioned on the Safari EV. Because Safari is in the name and it is Tata’s longest vehicle and already has a three-row seating. However Safari EV is not launched yet and Tata has come up with a Sanctuary Concept based on Sierra EV.
There are a plethora of changes with Sierra EV Sanctuary Edition to make it ‘safari worthy’ for India’s bird and animal sanctuaries. For starters, roof along with B, C and D Pillars have been chopped up, while retaining A Pillars. This provides wind protection for driver, but opens up an open aperture for wildlife enthusiasts on a safari to observe the wildlife and document them.
EV means it will be quiet, which is a big benefit for jungle safari vehicles. It looks like Tata Sierra EV Sanctuary Edition is based on the base Pure trim level, which comes with a lot of features, creature comforts and equipment as standard. It has a 63 kWh battery promising up to 565 km of range and gets a RWD single-motor setup with 234 bhp and 340 Nm.
What’s new?
For protection from Sun and rains (sort of), there is a flat roof, which is fixated on top of a sturdy-looking roll cage. This roll cage along with front A Pillars are expected to provide rollover protection in unfortunate situations. Front row looks like it is similar to standard Sierra EV and so is its dashboard, infotainment, instrumentation displays and front door trims.
There is a third row seating in theatre format which can be accessed with the help of a retractable ladder. On the outside, we can see thorough body protection, 18-inch alloy wheels, additional fog lights, electrical winch, chopped off tailgate and conventional door handles which seems to be stuck on Sierra EV’s standard flush door handles.
Fiddling around with these flush handles during an emergency is just not an option during jungle safaris. There are chunky side steps along with rear flood lights which should come handy while reversing in the jungle.
Should there be a Sierra EV Convertible?
Looking at the Sierra EV Sanctuary Edition, it reminds us of Range Rover Evoque Convertible (discontinued). Considering how Indian buyers have matured, it is high time that a mainstream Indian carmaker offer a mainstream convertible for India based on a monocoque platform for everyday usability.
Rival brands like Mahindra Auto have been taking risks and (now mature) Indian car buyers have been rewarding these risks. Think, a high-riding Sierra EV with frameless doors, three or five door options, manually convertible roof with a usable boot.
Source: Electric - rushlane.com
