The Tata Indica Vista hatchback has been given a complete makeover and is ready to hit the tar in South Africa.

Tata claims that it "changes everything from style, comfort, technology, safety, design, quality to performance". We’ll have to pot that to the test.

The car has a new body styling and more cabin space. Petal-shaped headlamps, indented fog lamps and a "bold" crease on the bonnet. Flared wheel arches and a series of straight creases and trim along the body flow to the rear and its vertically-stacked tail lights. Tata says the lights "are unique in its class and offer improved visibility to traffic following".

All models have coloured bumpers.

Tata touts the Indica's larger cabin and says the glove box in the console that can even accommodate a compact laptop. Air conditioning is standard across the range. Driver's seat and steering wheel are height adjustable and the back row can be folded in a 60-40 split for more loading space.

The Aura and Ignis models have power windows all round.

Power comes from Tata’s new 1.4-litre Safire MPFI petrol engine. The Safire has a continuous variable cam system and drive-by-wire technology for accelerator pedal control.

In the Ini and Aura models, the engine delivers 55kW of power at 6000rpm and 114Nm of torque at 3250rpm. The Ignis brings and extra 10kW of power, for a maximum power output of 65kW at 6000rpm. Torque also edges up to 116Nm at 4750rpm.

All models have 14-inch steel rims shod with 175/65 R 14 tyres. A full-size spare wheel is standard.

The Ignis has crash bags for the front row and comes with ABS brakes equipped with Emergency Brake Distribution.

Prices:

Tata Indica Vista Ignis – R139 900

All three models come with a three-year or 100 000km warranty, three-year or 75 000km service plan and two years of roadside assistance.

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