Indigo CS - A nice option from the Tatas. Review on Tata Indigo CS

I've been using my Tata Indigo CS - LS for a month now. It's my first diesel vehicle, and I switched over to it from the Maruti Esteem, on which I had used the LPG option extensively. My pre-sales queries were handled very well by Fortune Cars, Navi Mumbai, and by the Product Sales Manager at the Tatas. They were prompt, specific and frank with their advice and opinions.

I must admit that it took me some time to get used to the way a diesel engine behaves - the slightly delayed response, the engine noise and more importantly, the difference of speed for the gear shifts. I also found it a little difficult to get used to the higher pedal position in the Indigo. This car requires me to keep my feet in a more vertical position that what I used to in the Esteem. These have nothing to do with the Indigo as such, but were just the adjustments I needed to make since I was moving from a petrol / LPG vehicle.

Having done about 1900 km in a month, including a trip to Tarkarli(Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra), I must say that I am satisified with my decision to go in for the Indigo CS. The car returned 17.5 km per litre(with the AC), even before its first service. The car feels sturdy and strong, and the engine is very responsive. Car handling at low speeds is also smooth and jerk-free. The acceleration is good, and the car just zooms when the turbo kicks in. Handling at high speeds is good, too. I briefly touched 120 on the Pune-Bangalore Expressway, but did not feel any discomfort, vibrations or instability.

Much has already been said about the interiors of this car on this forum. The diesel variant is carbon black inside, while the petrol variant looks more plush with its beige-brown tones. The interiors are upto my expectations - no complaints on that. Except the steering, which I felt, was a little too thin for my comfort. I got around this by wrapping a steering cover on it - now it feels nice! All the dashboard controls and the panels are conveniently located and readable. The AC is good - it cools efficiently even in Mumbai's humidity and heat. It also has, probably, to do with the Arctic Silver body of the car. Its a common shade on the streets now, but looks elegant and does well to keep the insides cooler. My Esteem was dark green and I could make chapatis on the dashboard even if it was left in the sun for 20 minutes!

I had the car serviced yesterday - at Fortune Cars, Navi Mumbai. It was a job well done, except for two negatives - one: they broke my Ganpati idol while cleaning the interiors, and two: they do little to respect the time of the customer. I was called in for a 10.40 a.m. appointment(yes, 10.40 is precisely what they tell you!) and the Service Advisor looked at me only at 11.30 - that's because he was also entertaining customers who came in more than an hour later than their scheduled times! Otherwise, their service quality and delivery schedule is acceptable.

At Rs. 4, 73, 000 on-road, the vehicle is a bargain. Though not rich on features, it does well on driving and passenger comfort. Tata has passed on the benefit of reduction in excise duty to the customer, and that has made the price-point of the Indigo CS very attractive. And all you compromise for this is a 70-litre reduction in boot space - but that stiill leaves you a massive 380 litres of boot. Enough for most families on vacation! Most importantly, it is an exact replica of the Indigo of older times, except for the boot space - so availability of spares, parts and mechanics to work on your car is never going to be an issue.

Note here - the Indigo CS(Petrol) is not approved for conversion to AutoLPG. The Tatas would void the warranty on the vehicle if this is done. However the Diesel variant, I am told, is in the process of getting approvals for CNG conversion, but this would need to be done only from specific retrofitment agencies. Sadly, CNG is not available outside Mumbai, so those travelling out of the city won't find this too attractive. Conversely, LPG is available almost all over Maharashtra, and in a few pumps in Mumbai, too. Its a cleaner fuel, too! I wish the Tatas look into this and come up with an LPG fitment for their Petrol cars, too.