It aims to build on the success of the Indica and Indigo, but the Marina is still quite a leap into the unknown. Can the latest Tata prove its credentials as both a useful load-lugger and a capable mainstream contender?

“The Marina can carry up to 670 litres of your belongings.”

‘ Even with a full complement of passengers and luggage, the Marina is hugely comfortable over even the worst of roads. ’

TATA INDIGO GLX/LX
List price (ex-showroom,
Mumbai) Rs 4.89/5.27 lakh
Top speed 160kph/ 157kph
0-60kph 5.38sec/6.45sec
Kpl 11.25 /13.75 (overall)
For Fantastic value, space and comfort
Against Lacks refinement, fit and finish still not the best

Once upon a time, not long ago, we had an estate-car market. Or should we say, we almost had one. Okay, let's be fair, the car manufacturers wanted one. Maruti, Fiat and Opel each launched estate versions of their cars at around the same time, and though each was attractive in its own way, the worms never really seemed to disappear off the hooks. Not quick enough at least.
Sensing a kill, each of the manufacturers placed a premium on their estate cars, but all they did was kill the market. And so, silently, while no one was looking, the estate car passed away.
So what is Tata Motors doing, going where angels fear to tread? Several things actually. Fulfilling the Indica's platform potential to begin with, trying to make something out of nothing — they did it with the Sumo, remember? Or have they really got a plan?
A little of each, actually.