Geneva has been a great location for Tata Motors' showcases every year. The concepts and models that Tata Motors has displayed over the last about 14 years have represented the progress of a company from being a largely local to a now ‘Glocal' automotive powerhouse.
It has also represented the progress the company has made from being a newcomer in the passenger car business to one that has the potential to deliver a global product. Many of its cars like the Indica and Nano were either unveiled at Geneva or were born out of concepts that were showcased at the Show.
Last year, Tata Motors displayed the Pixel concept, a tiny hatchback with some unique features like its ‘Zero Turn' drive system, its roomy, futuristic interiors and its scissor doors. At this year's Geneva Motor Show, Tata Motors pulled the wraps off the new Megapixel – a further reinterpretation of last year's concept. It is still a concept, but the key point to remember is that the Megapixel is said to denote the future design direction for Tata Motors.
The Megapixel's exterior design has clearly matured to a point where it looks like the final production car could actually jump out of the skin of the concept. In terms of the technology that is loaded into the car, it is a showcase of what can potentially be put on the road within this decade.
It is a technology demonstrator, but given the pace at which electric vehicles are being developed for everyday use, the Megapixel could just make it to the road earlier than we think.
On the road
The Megapixel is essentially a range extended electric vehicle (REEV) concept. It can seat four passengers and is positioned as a city-smart global car. Powering its range extension capabilities is the combo of a 13 KwH Lithium-ion phosphate battery and an on-board petrol engine generator for recharging on the move.
The car has also been designed with a unique induction charging system, which enables it to be charged by simply parking the Megapixel over the induction pad and without the need for it to be plugged in. The fast charge can power up the battery to an 80 per cent charge level within 30 minutes.
This enables the concept to offer a range of up to 900 kms on a single tank of fuel. The Megapixel is said to be capable of offering a fuel economy of 100 kmpl under battery only power. Its drivetrain output is also powered by an auxiliary unit which is a 325cc single cylinder petrol engine, producing a peak power of 25 kW.
The car's electric drive has four independent electric motors – one at each wheel – delivering 10 kW of power individually. Peak torque available is 500 Nm at each wheel. Top speed is 110 kmph and the car's CO2 emission is just 22gms per km.
Futuristic design
The Megapixel is about 3.5 metres long and 1.7 metres wide. But, thanks to a more advanced version of the Pixel's ‘Zero Turn' system, the car now gets a turning radius of just 2.8 metres. When parking the Megapixel, the electric hub motors drive the wheels in the opposite direction, while the front wheels are turned at an acute angle.
The Megapixel was designed and developed by the company's design centres in India, UK and Italy. The mature design gives the Megapixel a futuristic body style with flowing lines and the wheels at the extremities. The integrated headlamp and grille graphics on top of a swept back front, the panoramic roof and the double sliding doors that open out to reveal a B-pillar less interior makes the concept car look very appealing. The floating C-pillar and the wraparound belt line finisher merge really well into the body design.
Inside the Megapixel, space has been maximised by smart positioning of the battery pack and hub motors. The front seats are cantilevered on the central tunnel, releasing floor space for additional storage and leg room. Light leather trims, rose metal details and a hexagonal trim design that has been inspired by Indian motifs and international trends have all been integrated.
The blending of the traditional and the modern is also stepped up by the integration of an advanced HMI (human machine interface). The console docking point can connect a smartphone with the car and the built-in touchscreen of the HMI becomes the controller for the functions of the car like temperature, ventilation, performance and driving modes.
