Tata slashes price of ute

TATA aims to increase its market share in the light commercial segment by offering a $2860 discount on its Telcoline Tdi four-wheel drive cab-chassis.

Priced from $18,324 (or $14,990 tax exempt for primary producers), the Tata workhorse substantially undercuts all its direct rivals on price - barring the $15,490 Kia Ceres 4x4 cab-chassis.

Equivalent versions of the Toyota Hilux, Holden Rodeo and Mazda Bravo cost at least $10,000 more.

But the price does not include the cost of an aluminium tray ($1160 including sales tax). Air-conditioning adds another $2000 to the price.

The Tata Telcoline is powered by a 2.0-litre, turbo-diesel engine that generates 67kW at 4300rpm and 191Nm at 2500rpm.

The same powerplant will be used in Tata's imminent recreational four-wheel drive wagon, the Safari, due here around June.

Similar in dimensions to Toyota's LandCruiser Prado, the Safari will be keenly priced at about $29,000 driveaway.

It will come with a five-speed manual transmission and a dash- mounted switch that enables selection of high or low range four-wheel drive.

Suspension is by double wishbones and torsion bars at the front and semi-elliptical leaf springs and a sway bar at the rear.