Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
“Xenon” is derived from a Greek word that means “foreign” or “unknown”. Such is the case of a new contender in the Philippine pick-up truck segment, the Tata Xenon XT. In our cut-throat automotive industry, it is sometimes justified to resort to some extreme measures as a means of introduction just to be able to get a slice of the much coveted pie.
Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc. (PTAJ), the exclusive automotive distributor of Tata Motors’ vehicles in the country, recently embarked on its Tata Xenon XTREME DRIVE with the Philippine motoring media in the steep inclines and dusty trails of Tanay, Rizal, and the rough and twisty roads of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Through the challenging 4×4 course and slippery 4×2 route overlooking Laguna De Bay and the majestic windmills of Pililia Rizal, the Xenon XT easily traversed various terrain conditions.
From the stable of Tata Motors, India’s largest automobile manufacturer, comes a pick-up truck that can effortlessly take on the obstacles in the wilderness, as well as the harsh conditions in the urban jungle. Available in two variants, the Tata Xenon XT 4×2 and the Tata Xenon XT 4×4 are both packed with a handful of useful features: Limited Slip Differential, ABS, Dual Front Airbags, tilt-able power Steering, immobilizer, auto-leveling head lamps, electric power windows and mirrors, cushioned bucket seats in front with adjustable lumbar support and arm rests
Both the 4×4 & 4×2 variants of the Tata Xenon XT are equipped with stylish and sporty 16-inch alloy wheels with broad tire profiles for improved traction and better handling. Step boards also come as standard in both variants. With a ground clearance of 210mm, the Xenon XT has a wading depth of 300mm which allows it to cross shallow rivers or traverse the flooded streets of Manila during the monsoons. Go on your own XTreme adventure confidently with a 2.2-liter Turbo-Charged DiCOR engine which produces 150PS of power and 320 NM of torque at 1500-3000RPM. Both variants are equipped with a conventional five-speed manual transmission.
Safety has always been in the center of Tata Motors’ commitment. Hence, Xenon XT 2015 has been awarded 4 stars by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) for its standard front passenger and driver airbags, Anti-lock Braking system (ABS) and a reinforced ladder type frame. The 2015 Tata Xenon XT is available with the following introductory prices: Tata Xenon XT 4×4 MT – PHP 1,135,000 Tata Xenon XT 4×2 MT – PHP 830,000. Both variants can be bought in five color options: Arctic White, Arctic Silver, Arizona Blue, Mineral Red and Quartz Black.
So if you are in the market for a delivery workhorse or for a recreational vehicle, it is always best to first get acquainted with the available options. Just because you like to go extreme in your driving doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do the same with your spending.
By Gilbert Chao, Photos by Neil Pagulayan