A heavily camouflaged prototype vehicle spotted on Indian roads recently sent the internet into a spin, with initial reports claiming it was an early look at Tata’s upcoming Avinya electric vehicle range. The spotted test mule is actually the Sterra ET—a premium SUV from Chinese carmaker Chery’s luxury brand, Exeed.
However, the internet wasn’t entirely wrong to make the connection. The Exeed Sterra ET happens to share the exact same Chery-JLR platform that will underpin Tata Motors’ upcoming Avinya models.
The Chery E0X Platform Connection
Tata Motors previously confirmed that the Avinya EV line-up will be constructed on Chery-JLR’s Freelander EV platform in China, formally known as the E0X platform.
The E0X platform already powers several Chinese-market models, including the Exeed Sterra ES sedan and the Sterra ET SUV (which is sold internationally as the Exeed Exlantix ET).
What the Spy Shots Actually Tell Us:
- A Test Bed, Not an Avinya: Tata Motors is utilizing the Exeed Sterra ET as an engineering test bed to evaluate and fine-tune the shared E0X underlying platform.
- Design Differences: The test mule does not preview any specific Avinya production vehicle, even though its overall dimensions closely match the Avinya X concept.
- Reworked Electronics: While the fundamental mechanical architecture remains shared, Tata Motors is heavily tweaking key electronic systems, software interfaces, and vehicle setup specifically to suit Indian driving conditions.
What Is the Exeed Sterra ET?
The Sterra ET is a flagship SUV measuring nearly 5 metres in length. It serves as the second vehicle in Exeed’s Sterra line-up following the Sterra ES. In its home market, it comes in both fully electric (BEV) and range-extender hybrid (EREV) powertrain options:
| Feature | All-Electric (BEV) | Range-Extender Hybrid (EREV) |
| System Architecture | 800V Architecture | 400V Architecture |
| Engine & Battery | Supports up to 100kWh battery packs | 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine + 32kWh or 41.2kWh battery |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) & All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) & All-Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| Claimed Range (CLTC) | Up to 760 km | Combined range up to 1,518 km |
Beyond the powertrains, the Sterra ET features high-end tech, including Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), over-the-air (OTA) updates, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capabilities.
What’s Next for Avinya?
While it is still unconfirmed which precise battery and motor combinations Tata will pick for its own showroom versions, development work is officially moving forward.
The first production car under the standalone Avinya brand will be the Avinya X, which is slated for its official market launch in 2027.
