Another brilliant Tata concept that will never be made...

Is anyone getting tired of this yet? Each year, at Geneva, Tata rolls out a concept that, if produced, looks good enough to take on the best in the world. The Indiva MPV, the glorious Aria roadster and coupe, and the Xover. And it has never made them; instead we get fettled versions of the Indica and Safari. Blah. Enough to make you cynical and dismissive of even a
concept as interesting as this one. The Cliffhanger concept is derived from the Xover, this time combining elements of SUV, pickup truck, and station wagon; sure, ‘sports twin-cab pickups’ are gaining ground in the USA, but this has far less ground clearance that those, suggesting an entire new category.
The styling of the nose and sides is very similar to the Xover’s, as is the tail-lamp design, but the interior is completely
different. And absolutely impressive. A big, fixed-hub steering wheel (shades of Citroen,
anyone?) sits ahead of truly exotic dials, shaded by what looks like a transparents purple Alice band; the centre console is a very cool digital screen punctured by a climate-control knob. And it’s nice and airy inside, courtesy the big twin skylights.
All excellent.
The other interesting bit is the cargo bed, not huge but big enough at least for the odd piece of furniture or barbecue rack. Tata says it “could use V6 and next-gen common-rail engines,” though of course it’s unlikely to ever do so. It’s a big thing by the way, over five metres long.
Will it be made? Don’t put down a deposit. But,
it is said the Xover was very close to the Safari’s replacement, and the Cliffrider could follow. If it does, watch out, world.