KATHMANDU: Tata Motors has come up with an unusual way to demonstrate the strength of its new Aeris sedan. The company buried the car under around 20 tons of gravel and stone debris as part of a durability and safety demonstration.
A dump truck dropped the massive load of gravel and stones onto the roof of the Aeris, completely covering the car. Tata used the test to demonstrate the sedan’s structural strength and the safety of its CNG system.
The test followed other durability exercises, including driving the Aeris through deep water and over gravel surfaces.
After the debris was removed, the car suffered visible damage. The roof was slightly deformed and the windows were broken. However, the passenger cabin remained intact, the doors could still be opened and the engine started, allowing the car to drive away under its own power.
The gravel was not dropped onto the car in a single load. It was gradually unloaded, allowing Tata to demonstrate how the structure handled the weight.
The Aeris is a new sub-4-metre sedan launched in India as a heavily updated version of the Tigor. It starts at 529,000 Indian rupees and gets sharper styling, an updated cabin and more features.
The sedan measures 3,995 mm in length and has a 2,450 mm wheelbase. It is available with a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine and a CNG option.
The petrol version produces 85 hp, while the CNG version makes 75 hp. Both are offered with five-speed manual and automatic transmissions.
The Aeris also gets features such as a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats and six airbags as standard.
However, it was the unusual 20-ton gravel test that has drawn attention to Tata’s new sedan, with the company using the stunt to highlight the vehicle’s structural strength and safety.
