Standard stability control for Xenon ute

Standard stability control and extensive local testing are building blocks of new Tata distributor Fusion Automotive’s campaign to convince light commercial buyers its Xenon ute is a safer, tougher proposition than its budget-priced rivals.

Fusion this morning confirmed it will re-launch the Xenon ute line-up in October with a six-model line-up of Indian-built Xenon utilities. Electronic stability control (ESC) will be fitted from January production and becomes standard on Australian-delivered Tata utes a few months after that.

The current Xenon has been sold in Australia by former distributor Upton’s Motors since late 2009.

All versions of the Xenon will continue to be powered by a direct-injection, common-rail 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

Both 4x2 and ‘shift on the fly’ 4x4 drivetrains will be available in three body styles – cab-chassis, pick-up and dual-cab pick-up. Upton’s Motors offered a cab-chassis, dual-cab/chassis and dual-cab pick-up.

Pricing is yet to be finalised, but Fusion Managing Director Darren Bowler has confirmed a $35,000 ceiling for the range, which is a significant rise compared to the $29,995 Upton’s charged for its most expensive model.

That reflects Fusion’s strategy to pitch the Xenon between the Chinese-built Great Wall Motors V200 and V240 and the established Japanese brands. Its direct rivals include Korea’s Ssangyong Actyon and – on price – the newly arrived Chinese brand Foton.

Xenon equipment is being upped considerably by Fusion. The 110kW/320Nm four-cylinder engine will be upgraded to Euro 5 emissions compliance, while twin front airbags and anti-lock brakes with emergency brake-force distribution, air-conditioning and Bluetooth and USB connectivity will be standard.

ESC is currently being engineered in India for the Xenon and will be packaged with traction control and a hill hold function. Neither Great Wall nor Foton offer this potentially life-saving feature yet and only some Ssangyong models are fitted with it.

Most higher-priced pick-ups offer ESC across virtually their entire ranges, with the notable exception of the Toyota HiLux. The federal department of transport is yet to mandate the fitment of ESC to light commercial vehicles.

Bowler also confirmed Fusion would co-operate with ANCAP if it wished to crash-test the Xenon. He would not speculate on the score it would achieve. Great Wall’s V240 is only a two-star ANCAP performer.

“We are more than happy to work with ANCAP on that process and go down that road,” Bowler said.

Other confirmed Xenon features include power windows, keyless entry with immobiliser, door open alarm and side intrusion bars. Braked towing capacity is claimed at 2500kg.

Australia will be the first market outside India in which the Xenon is offered with the combination of a Euro 5 engine, dual airbags and ESC.

“Our market entry will capitalise on the current growth opportunities that are present in the light commercial segment,” Bowler said. “This segment delivered over 195,000 units last year and year-to-date is up 11,000 units.

“If we look directly at the light commercial segment today there are 17 models from 13 manufacturers. Most of the competitive set offer variants that are $35,000 or above and only a limited number play below that mark.

“This creates a unique opportunity for a vehicle to fit into that segment that offers all-round value for money in terms of safety, in terms of feature content and the toughness required for a light commercial workhorse.”

Bowler said Fusion did not have “huge volume expectations” for Xenon, which will be sold through a 13-dealer retail network that should expand to 25 through 2014.

The Xenon will be the only Tata model on offer in Australia for up to 24 months until the arrival of heavy and medium trucks from the brand. Buses and new-generation passenger cars are even further away.

Fusion Automotive is a division of the Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Group, which already performs engineering and design consultancy work in both India and China via another off-shoot, Walkinshaw Automotive Group.

WAG designed the Xenon ‘Tuff Truck’ concept that also debuted this morning at the National 4x4 & Outdoor Show and is also providing engineering services by testing two Xenons in Australia.

“They are hand-built for Australia and they are here to do in-country durability testing,” Bowler said. “It is our intention to do 100,000km in both of those cars in 100 days.

“We may only get to 70,000 to 80,000 (km) before we go on sale, but that is going to give us an indication of everything we need to know about the car; how good the car is in terms of tyre wear and consumable items and those sorts of things.”

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