Tata Motors will soon launch its all-wheel-drive system on lower and more affordable variants of the Harrier EV. Currently, the AWD system, which Tata calls Quad Wheel Drive (QWD), is limited to just the top Empowered trim.
- QWD variants currently make up 30 percent of Harrier EV’s sales
- In AWD spec, Harrier EV produces 313hp and has a claimed range of 622km
Tata Harrier EV is set to get its All-Wheel Drive (AWD) technology on lower and more affordable trims soon, following high demand for the current top-spec AWD variant.
Current AWD Availability
Currently, the AWD system, which Tata calls “Quad Wheel Drive” (QWD), is limited exclusively to the top-of-the-line Empowered QWD 75 trim. This variant is powered by the larger 75 kWh battery pack and is priced starting at ₹28.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
Expansion to Lower Trims
Due to the better-than-anticipated demand for the QWD variant (accounting for about 30% of sales), Tata Motors has confirmed plans to expand its availability.
- Target Variant: The AWD tech will likely be introduced on the mid-spec Fearless+ trim.
- Battery Pack: It is expected to be offered with the 75 kWh battery pack on the Fearless+ trim.
- Pricing Impact: Introducing QWD on the Fearless+ trim will make the technology more accessible, as this variant’s AWD version is expected to be priced at least ₹2 lakh cheaper than the current Empowered QWD variant.
- Availability: It remains to be seen if the AWD system will also be offered with the smaller 65 kWh battery pack, as current plans point only to the 75 kWh version.
These reports detail the availability and specifications of the Tata Harrier EV’s AWD technology on lower trims
The QWD system uses a dual-motor setup, with one motor on each axle.
- Total Power Output: A combined 313 hp and 504 Nm of torque.
- Performance: The AWD version can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.
- Off-road Features: It includes six terrain modes (Normal, Snow/Grass, Mud-ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl, Custom) and off-road assist.
- Range: The claimed range for the AWD variant is 622 km (MIDC-certified).
This move is intended to boost sales further by offering the highly sought-after AWD capability to a wider range of customers who may not want or need all the premium features of the top-end Empowered trim.
Case for more affordable Harrier EV AWD variants
Speaking to Autocar India about the Harrier EV tie-up with Red Bull, Vivek Srivatsa, chief commercial officer at Tata Motors, said, “We have seen more than anticipated demand for the QWD variant. Thirty percent of our sales are coming from the QWD variant, so we will offer it on lower variants, too.”
Indeed, at the launch of the Harrier EV, Srivatsa had said the brand expected to see about 20 percent of sales coming from the AWD variant – an already high figure for this tech.
The good response will no doubt be encouraging for Tata Motors, which is planning to offer the system in more SUVs, with the next one being the Sierra EV. Tata had already teased its arrival at the launch of the ICE-powered Sierra.
QWD is the brand name for Tata’s EV all-wheel-drive tech – currently its only AWD system. Interestingly, though, the Sierra’s ARGOS platform can also support AWD with its ICE variants. If this materialises, expect Tata Motors to capitalise on the QWD brand and leverage it for these versions, too.
Tata Harrier EV AWD specs and range
To give you a quick recap, the Harrier EV AWD gets two electric motors, one each on the front and rear axles. The rear permanent-magnet synchronous motor is the main motor with an output of 238hp. It is supplemented by a 158hp front induction motor for a combined output of 313hp. Max torque is a solid 540Nm. AWD is only offered with the larger 75kWh battery pack, and in this configuration, the Harrier EV returns a claimed range of 622km.
Currently, the Tata Harrier Empowered 75 QWD’s ex-showroom price is Rs 28.99 lakh. Tata is expected to introduce the QWD tech on the mid-spec Fearless trim, although it remains to be seen if it is offered with both the 65kWh and 75kWh battery packs.
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