This variant that will be built on the same line as the Indica and Indigo, the Marina looks familiar from head-on as there is virtually nothing to distinguish it from its booted cousin. The roof-rails are new, but apart from that it’s the same nose. The additional cost of a new chin would have been a touch too steep.

 

The front suspension, with its improved lower arm, is carried forward from the Indigo, as is the three-link rear, but softer springs and stiffer dampers have been used to deal with the load better. Like the sedan, the Marina also gets improved brakes, with a larger servo for better braking performance.

 

Luggage space at the rear, even with the parcel tray in place, is impressive. But the 410-litre capacity can be taken up to 670 litres when luggage is loaded to the maximum, and if you want or need even more space you can flip the rear seat forward. The Marina’s rear has hooks and a net on the floor to help secure luggage, a couple of pockets in the side as well as a storage box on the roof. Loading the latter with heavy objects could prove to be extremely hazardous in a crash though, when these objects would instantly be converted to flying projectiles.

 

Interior detailing is a mix-and-match of that seen on the Indigo and the new Indica V2. The very European-looking ringed dials and air-con controls have been plucked from the new V2, whereas details like the nice leather-covered steering wheel, gear knob and stalks come from the Indigo.

 

The Marina shares the Indigo’s thoroughly revised and reworked TD motor, and the 62bhp diesel was strengthened in many ways to help it deal with the additional stresses of turbo-charging. Riding on suspension that has been visibly raised to deal with our roads and generous 175/65 tyres on 14-inch rims, the Marina possesses decent ride quality. This is especially true over broken surfaces at speed, where it feels composed and transmits only a few of the bumps through to the cabin. Low-speed ride is stiffer, the Marina getting jiggly over broken patches of road, despite softer springs at the rear.

 

The petrol returned 8.8km in the city, with the diesel giving a more acceptable 11.9kpl in urban traffic. The diesel also managed to travel 15.6 kilometres on a litre of diesel on the highway.

Filed under: Tata Motor Cars in India