Tata's New 1.5-Litre TGDi Petrol Engine Debut Pushed to 2026

The Tata Motors flagship SUVs are currently powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine; No petrol engine is on offer as of now

Tata Motors has been working on a new petrol engine for a long time now. The 1.5-litre tGDi petrol engine was first showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo. Earlier, it was speculated that this new engine would debut by the end of 2024 or early 2026, however, the timeline has been pushed further.

As per the latest reports, the new 1.5-litre four-cylinder tGDi engine will be introduced by March 2026. As of now, we know that the engine will produce 168 bhp and 280 Nm of peak torque. Apart from this, it is expected to be offered in multiple states of tune, depending upon the model and variant.

While the details regarding transmission options of the turbo petrol motor are under wraps, it will likely get a proper 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox. In addition to this, a 6-speed manual transmission will also be a part of the package.

The Indian carmaker’s flagship duo, Harrier and Safari, are currently relying on a sole Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre diesel MultiJet engine, putting out 168 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. With no petrol powertrain on offer, the rivals that offer both petrol and diesel powertrains get an upper hand over the Tata SUVs.

Moreover, with the emissions norms getting stringent, new car buyers are deviating towards petrol engines. A lower price tag, no DPF (diesel particulate filter) issues, lower maintenance costs, and lower emissions are some of the advantages of petrol engines.

The Tata Harrier and Safari will be the first models to get the new 1.5-litre tGDi petrol engine. Apart from this, the turbo petrol motor will also be plonked in the upcoming Sierra SUV. The test mule of these SUVs with the petrol engine has been spotted multiple times in India.

Since this is an in-house developed engine, we expect the Tata Harrier and Safari petrol to be priced around Rs. 1 lakh lower than the current diesel range. Reportedly, Tata Motors is also developing a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which will likely be based on its 1.5-litre tGDi unit. This four-cylinder NA motor is expected to be used in the entry-level variants of the upcoming Sierra.

Source: https://gaadiwaadi.com/tata-to-launch-new-3-big-suvs-with-petrol-engine/