Tata Tiago petrol MT vs AT: Real world performance comparison

The petrol-powered Tata Tiago petrol has proven to be a hit among car buyers thanks to its tractability and high fuel economy. Tata offers it with both a 5-speed manual as well as an automated manual transmission (AMT). But how much of a difference do the two gearboxes make in terms of performance and efficiency? Let’s find out.

The 1.2-litre petrol engine on the Tiago is a refined unit with peak power arriving at 6,000rpm and max. torque kicking in from 1800rpm and going all the way up to 3000rpm. Both the transmissions are 5-speed units but how much does the convenience of two pedal technology cost, in terms of outright performance and fuel efficiency? Answers below. 

The Tiago MT is quicker off the line by 2 seconds on its way to a 100kmph. The story remains the same when you pit them against each other in a quarter-mile drag race as the AMT is slower by 3.6 seconds, which is a lifetime in terms of straight line runs. It is also slower by 5kmph when it reaches the mark. However, one aspect where the AMT beats the manual is in terms of fuel efficiency, in both the city as well as highway. But how do the two stack up against each other when it comes to braking?

The Tiago gets disc brakes up front and drum brakes at the rear. The manual version comes to a halt in a respectable distance. In fact, it is as quick to stop as the Hyundai Tucson AT, as per our tests. The Tata Tiago AMT, on the other hand, covers more distance than its manual counterpart before coming to a standstill. The reason could be a heavier kerb weight of 1024kg against the MT’s 930kg. However, we can’t rule out other variables like tyre condition, air pressure and others either.

Source: CarDekho.com