Tara V2 Unveiled: New Payment Plans and a Technical Rivalry with the Sahin
Tehran – Iran Khodro has unveiled new installment payment plans for its popular Tara sedan, making the vehicle more accessible to a broader range of consumers. The initiative, detailed in recent exhibition advertisements, offers flexible financial options for various models, highlighting the automaker’s strategy to cater to diverse buyer needs in the domestic market.
Flexible Financing Options
The payment plans are structured to accommodate different budgets. The flagship automatic V4 model requires a down payment of 700 million Tomans, followed by 60 monthly installments of 23 million Tomans. For buyers seeking a more economical entry point, the manual V1 model is available with a 428 million Toman down payment and 48 monthly installments of 15 million Tomans.
Additional plans include a 30-month accelerated payment scheme for the V4 automatic and a 60-month plan for the upgraded manual V1 Plus model. This range of options, with down payments spanning from 428 to 700 million Tomans, provides a fresh opportunity for buyers looking for a vehicle with solid heritage, suitable build quality, and easier purchasing terms.
Tara vs. Sahin: A Domestic Sedan Showdown
In Iran’s competitive economic sedan market, the Iran Khodro Tara and the Saipa Sahin are two primary contenders. Both have captured significant market share with their relatively modern designs and acceptable features. However, a technical comparison reveals important distinctions.
Powertrain and Performance: The Tara is equipped with a 1.6-liter TU5 Plus engine, generating 113 horsepower. It is paired with either a 6-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission, delivering a smoother and more coordinated driving experience. The Sahin, in contrast, features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 110 horsepower. While its turbocharged engine offers better initial acceleration, it is noted for higher sensitivity to fuel quality and greater maintenance costs.
Safety and Suspension: The Tara holds a distinct advantage in safety, featuring four airbags, ABS, EBD, and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP). The Sahin is equipped with two airbags and basic safety systems but has received lower scores in crash and stability tests compared to its rival.
Interior and Ride Quality: The Tara’s cabin boasts a more ergonomic design and represents an improvement in material quality over previous offerings from the manufacturer. Its seats are more comfortable, and driver visibility is superior. The Sahin, while offering more cabin space and a larger trunk, is generally assessed to have lower-quality interior plastics and cabin insulation.
A Reliable Choice for the Market
In summary, the Tara—in both its automatic and manual variants—presents itself as a more reliable option for daily use, offering more stable performance, superior safety features, and better build quality. For buyers prioritizing greater acceleration and a different design, the Sahin remains a viable alternative in the domestic automotive landscape.