Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
The Tata Manza designed by the I.DE.A Institute.
The Tata Manza is a compact sedan produced by Tata Motors from 2009 to 2016. Developed as the second generation of the Tata Indigo, the Manza was built on the X1 platform, which it shared with the Tata Indica Vista. This model marked a significant evolution in Tata’s sedan lineup, offering enhanced space, comfort, and features compared to its predecessor. The design of the Tata Manza was undertaken by the I.DE.A Institute, an Italian automotive design and engineering company based in Turin. The project was led by designer Justyn Norek, who had previously contributed to the design of the original Tata Indica. Norek’s involvement ensured a cohesive design language across Tata’s model range, blending European styling cues with the practical requirements of the Indian market. The Manza was available with two engine options sourced from Fiat: 1.4-liter Safire petrol engine: This inline-four engine produced 90 horsepower and 116 Nm of torque. 1.3-liter Quadrajet diesel engine: Also delivering 90 horsepower, this engine offered a higher torque output of 200 Nm, providing better fuel efficiency and performance. Both engines were paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The diesel variants, particularly, were noted for their impressive fuel economy, with mileage figures reaching up to 21.12 km/l.. In terms of dimensions, the Tata Manza measured 4,413 mm in length, 1,703 mm in width, and 1,550 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,520 mm. It offered a generous boot space of 460 liters and a ground clearance of 165 mm. The sedan comfortably seated five passengers and was equipped with features such as dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, automatic climate control, and a touchscreen infotainment system in higher trims. Throughout its production run, the Manza underwent several updates. In 2011, Tata introduced the Manza Elan variant, which featured premium additions like Italian leather upholstery and parking sensors. The 2012 “Club Class” edition brought further enhancements, including two-tone body colors, chrome accents, and upgraded interior materials. Despite its advancements, the Tata Manza faced stiff competition in the compact sedan segment and was eventually succeeded by the Tata Zest in 2014. The Manza remains a notable model in Tata’s history, reflecting the company’s efforts to offer a more refined and feature-rich sedan to its customers.
I.DE.A Institute – short for Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering – was founded in Turin, Italy in 1978 by Italian entrepreneur Franco Mantegazza together with famed architect Renzo Piano (designer of the Pompidou Centre). Renzo Piano’s structural engineer partner Peter Rice served as Vice President.
