The Tata Motors Curvv has been spotted tested with extensive cladding to conceal the vehicle’s design in recent months. However, recent spy photos show the bodyshell in a coupe-like form.

The spy photograph of a Curvv test mule exposes a few new elements, most notably the sloping rear roofline and lack of a rear quarter glass. This verifies the notchback design seen earlier this year on the Auto Expo demonstration vehicle. The sloping roofline distinguishes it from the other SUVs it will compete with.

The alloy wheels are different from the ones on the Auto Expo display vehicle, however this could be for testing purposes only. The SUV has the same muscular proportions of the concept car, with squared-off wheel arches and side moulding to give it a tough appearance.

Tata Motors has used the Curvv’s design language into its recent introductions. The front LED strip, vertical headlamp arrangement, and even the sculpted bonnet are examples of this. The rear LED strip is not visible in the spy images, but slim tail-lights can be seen on either side of the boot.

The two-spoke steering wheel, new infotainment screen, and digital driver’s display have also been taken from the Curvv concept, and we expect these aspects to be retained when the Curvv is released.

Engine and Transmission

Despite the fact that the exhaust pipe is visible, we cannot tell what powertrain is being tested. The vehicle in the spy photos could be testing the new turbo-petrol engine, a CNG powertrain, or even an electric vehicle. Tata Motors has already employed phoney exhaust pipes on EV test mules.

Shailesh Chandra, managing director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, recently stated at the launch of the Harrier and Safari facelifts that the launch of the new petrol engine will take some time, according to our sources, due to the development of the petrol motor proving to be a challenge.

In our earlier story, we discovered a CNG button in a design sketch that Tata Motors officially released, implying that the Curvv might possibly have a CNG powerplant.

Tata Motors previously indicated that the Curvv EV would be released first, followed by the ICE variants.

The electric Curvv SUV is expected to be released in the first half of 2024, with an ICE powerplant coming shortly after. The Curvv will compete in the crowded midsize SUV sector, including the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, MG Astor, Skoda Kushaq, and Volkswagen Taigun.