Tata Motors is making significant strides in its powertrain strategy. Traditionally, the 2.2L turbo diesel engine was exclusive to commercial vehicles. For its flagship SUVs, the Harrier and the Safari, the company had been using the FAM B 2.0L diesel engine sourced from Stellantis.
Starting May 2025, Tata Motors will have the rights to independently produce and develop this engine. While Stellantis retains the engine’s intellectual property, Tata now has the freedom to modify and upgrade the powertrain as needed. This development is a pivotal moment for the automaker, providing increased flexibility to meet emission standards, boost performance, and customize the engine for different trims.
The FAM B 2.0L diesel engine is currently produced at the Ranjangaon plant by Fiat India Automobiles Pvt. Ltd. (FIAPL), a joint venture between Tata Motors and Stellantis. Previously, any changes to the engine’s calibration or performance required Stellantis’ approval, which was often a lengthy and costly process; it’s been reported that even minor adjustments could cost nearly EUR 10 million (about ₹96.9 crore).
Now, with development rights in hand, Tata can upgrade or recalibrate the engine without waiting for external approvals. This opens the door for more versatile offerings. For instance, Tata might launch a more powerful version of the engine, delivering around 180 bhp for higher-end variants of the Harrier and Safari, while also introducing a lower-tuned version producing about 150 bhp for base and mid-range trims, making these SUVs more accessible across various price points. This approach mirrors strategies employed by Mahindra with their diesel powertrains.
This decision also saves Tata Motors the considerable cost and effort that would be required to develop a completely new diesel engine from scratch. More importantly, it allows for swift updates to adapt to stricter emission regulations, enhance performance, or implement electronic control unit (ECU) fixes without excessive delays and costs.
A petrol engine for both SUVs was also reported under works. The company is reportedly working on a 1.5-litre turbocharged version of its petrol engine which is likely to put out 150-170 bhp of max power. The availability of the petrol engines for both Harrier and Safari is likely to bring down the starting price of both SUVs. The lack of homemade automatic gearbox could also be a possibility of delay.
It’s worth noting that the current production process for this engine remains unchanged. However, Tata Motors has effectively eliminated key bottlenecks and drastically cut future development costs, giving it a competitive advantage in enhancing its flagship SUV offerings.
With this new level of powertrain investments, Tata Motors is well-positioned to strengthen the competitiveness of the Harrier and Safari in the Indian SUV market. These two SUV’s are quite popular and waiting for stronger comeback making competition from foreign brands negligible.
Source: AutocarIndia
