The Tata Sierra has been a design icon over the years. The moniker has been able to turn heads and gain a great amount of attention. Since Tata is launching a new EV and petrol-powered version of the vehicle, it’s evident that filling the boots of the previous model would be a hard task. But Tata has the right crew members to attend to such tasks.
The quintessential design element of the Sierra that always stood out was its wrap-over window at the back, an element that brought the car out from the dominating design clutches of the pickup it was based on. Bringing out an update for a vehicle that is etched in the memory of so many fans so perfectly is always a hard task, but designers like Martin Uhlarik have taken it on successfully.
Here is an in-depth look at what went into recreating the design of an icon
Martin Uhlarik and his design team have been able to reprise the same characteristic design cues as those of the older version. With the improved safety standards, it would have been difficult to harness the vehicle with such large window panes without decreasing the structural integrity. But the design team seems to have aced the task. One of the magic elements that has eluded enthusiasts till now is how the designers have been able to successfully convey the impression of a single fixed window in a vehicle that has five doors.
Martin Uhlarik, the lead designer behind the Sierra design, told Autocar in an interview, “We had to keep the signature of the wrap-over glass, but at the same time we are not designing a retro car.” So Tata’s designers used the following visual ‘tricks’. For one, the wrap-over glass is replaced by a rounded black plastic finisher on top. Look closely; it’s clever. The rear window is also mounted flush with the one behind it, and this gives it the impression of being a single large window.
What also helps is the fact that the C-pillar is hidden behind the glass and finished in black, and that the door handles are sunken into the side panels. The design expertise does not end here—the design team has been able to redesign the D-pillar in such a manner that it draws the impression of having a larger glass area and a floating roofline.
New Updates
As per the concept that was showcased by Tata earlier, the new Sierra is supposed to be equipped with a slew of new tech updates. One that stands out among these is the involvement of smaller screens in the dashboard that would inform the passengers about the specifics of the SUV, such as how much range and battery is left.
Biggest Revelation: A Small Trunk in the Front
While talking to Martin Uhlarik, Autocar asked about the possibility of a storage space in the front of the vehicle for the EV version, and he said yes, it would have storage space in the front for the final car. But it’s possible that these details might change as the car goes through a series of production and design cycles before being launched. A frunk in the front suggests the possibility of a Rear Wheel Drive setup, but this is just a prediction. Tata will reveal all the details about the new Sierra soon, on November 25.
