The South Coast motoring landscape is entering an exciting new chapter as Thompson Motors officially welcomes the new Tata Osprey to its Tata Shelly Beach showroom on Marine Drive.

The timing is particularly significant as Tata Motors confirmed that the Osprey made its official South African debut this Thursday, making the opening of Tata Shelly Beach an opportunity for motorists to experience one of the newest vehicles entering the local compact-SUV market.

The opening of Tata Shelly Beach therefore brings the Thompson name into an exciting new phase of passenger-vehicle retail in an area where the family has been involved in motoring for more than half a century.

Thompson Motors has also maintained a strong connection with the wider South Coast community, supporting local organisations and charitable initiatives while building its business around customers who often remain with the group through successive generations.

As Thompson Motors owner Clive Thompson said, “We don’t just want to sell someone a vehicle. We want to earn their trust and look after them throughout their ownership journey.”

The new Tata Osprey is known internationally as the Tata Nexon. According to Tata, the model has attracted more than one million customers globally and has ranked as India’s number-one-selling car.

The Osprey joins the Tiago, Punch, Curvv and Harrier in Tata’s rapidly expanding South African passenger vehicle range and is positioned between the Punch and Curvv.

Powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, it produces 88.2kW of power and 170Nm of torque and is mated to either a six-speed manual or automated manual transmission.

Both a five-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic are available, depending on derivative. Despite its compact dimensions, the Osprey offers 208mm of ground clearance and a 382-litre luggage compartment.

Safety is one of the Osprey’s strongest credentials. Tata identifies the vehicle internationally as the first Indian car to achieve a five-star Global NCAP rating, while the current model also holds a five-star Bharat NCAP rating.

Depending on the derivative, features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Harman infotainment, automatic climate control, rear air vents, cruise control, 360° surround-view camera, blind-view monitor, alloy wheels, and automatic folding mirrors.

With the addition of Tata Shelly Beach, customers can now access the growing range locally, backed by an established dealership group with its own long-standing sales, service and aftersales infrastructure.

“For Thompson Motors, the combination of a progressive global automotive brand and a deeply established local family business is exactly what makes the new venture significant,” said Ernest Strecker, General Manager.

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