Tata Sumo. The car which left behind a legacy for not just Tata Motors, but for the entire Indian SUV car segment.
The car had an entirely different aura on the road. When one used to get behind that steering wheel, it did really felt like ‘ruling the roads.’ The car was discontinued after rigorously serving for 25 long years.
What’s the car all about? What made Tata Sumo ‘The Tata Sumo’? Let’s find out.
What’s in a Name? A Lot.
Before diving into the deepest details, let’s look into the name. The name ‘Sumo’ was inspired by the name Sumant Moolgaonkar. Mr Sumant is considered to be the architect of Tata Motors and used to be the MD of the same. Hence, the name ‘Su-Mo’ came up by combining the initials ‘Su’ from Sumant and ‘Mo’ from Moolganokar.
The Story Behind the Launch | Tata Sumo
The year was 1994. India was thriving due to the economic reforms of 1991. Tata Motors looked at this opportunity to capture the Indian car market by launching a slew of vehicles in the decade. Back then, Tata decided to launch ‘Made in India’ SUV for the country.
Initially, Tata Sumo was launched for military use. The military version of the car was an all-wheel-drive SUV for the rugged terrain and the power. A rear-wheel-drive version was sold to the civilians in the country.
Suggested For You: 10 Indian Cars To Be Discontinued By 2020
Evolution of the Car
Tata Sumo (1994-1996)
The first generation of the Tata Sumo was launched in the year 1994. Before the Sumo, the market was filled with the Jeep from Mahindra (inspired by Willy’s Jeep). Tata used the Sumo to capture a major chunk of the segment using the Tata Sumo. In the first three years of its launch, 100,000 units were sold.
Tata used Peugeot’s 2.0 litre, 1948 cc, 4 cylinder diesel engine for the Sumo. The gearbox was a 5-speed manual transmission.
Tata Sumo Deluxe (1996-2002)
The Tata Sumo Deluxe was launched in 1996. The car was the same as the first-gen Tata Sumo, featuring updated looks on the front.
Tata Sumo+ (2002-2004)
Tata Sumo+ was yet another attempt by Tata. The car was launched with a set of updated looks and a few refinements to make it more city-friendly.
Tata Sumo Victa (2004-2007)
This was a complete facelift. Tata made some serious changes, inside out. The car looked more ‘civilised’ and something that is comfortable enough for daily drives around the city. It hosted a plethora of features like all-new interiors, power windows, power steering, multifunctional instrument panel and a lot more.
Tata Sumo Victaa Turbo DI (2007-2011)
This version took the Sumo name ahead. The Victa Turbo DI and was available in 7 seater and 9 seater variants. It was launched with Turbocharged engine offering an increased power of 70 PS (at 3000 rpm) and 223 Nm Torque (at 2200 rpm). The exterior of the vehicle was the same as the Victa. However, the wheel at the tailgate was removed.
Tata Sumo Grande (2008-2009)
The Grande was launched as a premium alternative. To bring a perspective, a Range Rover to a Land Rover. Grande was power by a 2200 cc 120 bhp DICOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) engine. The design of the vehicle took a leap over is predecessors. It was designed by Concept Group International Limited.
Tata Sumo Grande Mk 2 (2009-2014)
The Mark 2 was an updated version of the Sumo Grande. There weren’t noticeable changes. Mark 2 was launched with updated graphics on the exterior.
Tata Sumo Gold (2011- 2019)
The Sumo Gold was a generation update for the Victa. Gold featured a refined 3.0 L TDI engine. The car came with an updated look on the exterior. When it comes to dimensions, however, the width of the car was reduced by 26mm.
You Might Also Like: Tata Hexa Discontinued; To Relaunch As Safari Edition Later
Why Was it Discontinued? | Tata Sumo
Tata Motors decided to halt the production of the car in April 2019. As per the reports, the car didn’t pass the BNVSAP and the AIS 145 safety norms. On top of that, Tata decided not to upgrade the engine to comply with the BS6 emission norms.
Will it Be Back? |Tata Sumo
Tata hasn’t officially confirmed the same. However, a rendered video of the SUV has been doing the rounds. In the rendered video of the car, a slew of upgrades are visible. The looks maintain the ruggedness of the vehicle while giving it a more modern look.
Conclusion
The Tata Sumo had one amazing ride. Starting its journey in 1994, it served the Indian roads diligently. The car literally and metaphorically expanded the horizon of the Indian automotive market by ensuring that the people know what the country is capable of.
Sumo will always have a special place in everyone’s heart. From the Indian Army to the hinterlands of the country, the car always made its presence felt. A comeback will be welcomed by everyone. Although, it surely won’t have that ‘Sumo’ feel to it.
ಸುಮೋ ಗೋಲ್ಡ್ ಕಮ್ back
Tata sumo sapcsio