Definitely Not Bollywood: Tata Harrier EV Achieves Epic World First

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Bollywood has long been synonymous with the spectacular. On the silver screen, cars fly through the air, defy gravity, and emerge from explosive crashes with nary a scratch. It’s a world where the laws of physics are merely suggestions, and the hero’s ride is often a fantastical prop designed for maximum cinematic effect.

Bollywood didn’t touch this ad for Tata’s Harrier:

This is what makes the Tata Harrier EV’s latest ad so powerful. It’s Bollywood but not.

It’s a stark, refreshing departure from the CGI-heavy theatrics of Indian cinema. The ad showcases a vehicle not in an impossible chase scene, but in a very real, very dangerous, and previously unconquered challenge: climbing the treacherous Elephant Rock in Kerala. The heroism isn’t manufactured; it’s earned by both man and machine.

The Machine

At first glance, the Harrier’s design is its most powerful statement. Its road presence is undeniable, borrowing design cues from the Land Rover Discovery Sport. Well, Tata owns Jaguar and it can damn do well what it wants to do with regard to sharing designs. But this isn’t just about looks; the Harrier is built on the OmegaArc platform, a derivative of the D8 platform — a Land Rover platform, giving it a solid and planted feel. Its suspension system is a particular highlight, praised by many for its ability to absorb bumps and undulations, making it a comfortable ride over both smooth highways and broken urban roads.

Tata Motors has significantly re-engineered the OmegaArc platform for electrification now known as Acti.ev, and is designed from ground up to accommodate a large under-floor battery pack and a flexible powertrain layout, fundamentally altering its performance characteristics.

The Harrier EV is powered by a dual-motor setup, which Tata calls Quad-Wheel Drive (QWD).

If you watched the video, here’s why this setup is a game-changer for off-road performance:

1. Instantaneous Torque: This is the single biggest advantage of an electric vehicle. Unlike a diesel engine that needs to rev up to its optimal RPM to deliver peak torque, electric motors provide maximum torque the moment you press the accelerator. For a challenge like climbing Elephant Rock, this is vital. Dr. Fahed didn’t need to build momentum; he had a massive 504 Nm of torque available instantly, allowing the vehicle to “stick” to the rock face and push forward with immediate force.
2. Precise, Independent Power Delivery: The QWD system uses two separate electric motors — one on the front axle and one on the rear. This isn’t just a basic all-wheel-drive system; it’s a “virtual” one, controlled by sophisticated software. Each motor can independently and instantly vary the amount of torque sent to its respective wheels based on feedback from traction sensors. This means if a wheel loses grip on a loose rock, the system can almost instantaneously redirect power to the wheels with traction, all without the lag of a mechanical system or a physical differential lock.
3. Low Center of Gravity: The heavy battery pack is placed flat on the floor of the chassis. This dramatically lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity. For off-roading, this is a massive benefit, as it increases stability and reduces the risk of the vehicle tipping over on steep inclines or uneven terrain. This enhanced stability gave Dr. Fahed the confidence to navigate the perilous, uncharted path.
4. Specialized Off-Road Modes: The Harrier EV’s electric platform is integrated with an array of terrain response modes (including Rock Crawl, Mud, and Sand). These modes don’t just adjust the engine’s throttle response; they precisely control the torque delivery to each wheel to suit the specific terrain, making a difficult climb much more manageable.

The Man

The man behind the wheel is not a movie star, but a real-life champion of the dirt: Dr. Mohammed Fahed V.P. A 38-year-old Ayurvedic doctor from Malappuram, Kerala, Dr. Fahed’s day job may involve medicine, but his passion lies in the mud and grit of off-road racing. His journey from a college student driving jeeps to a top-tier competitor has made him a celebrated figure in India’s 4×4 community.

His most famous performance to date came in 2024 when he, along with his co-driver, won the prestigious Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India race. RFC is widely considered one of the toughest off-road motorsport races in the world, and Dr. Fahed’s victory solidified his reputation as a master of his craft. He had finished on the podium for four consecutive years, making his eventual championship win a culmination of immense skill and perseverance.

It was this expertise that made him the perfect choice for the “Elephant Rock Challenge.” No vehicle had ever successfully scaled this nearly 4,000-foot rock face. The terrain, described by Dr. Fahed himself as having “no track,” was a maze of loose gravel, sharp drop-offs, and a daunting 34-degree final incline. The ad’s power lies in the fact that this was not a green-screen stunt. Dr. Fahed walked the line, used the Harrier EV’s 360-degree camera to navigate blind spots, and relied on his years of experience to make precise movements. He even admitted to scraping the underbody during trials, proving the sheer difficulty of the feat.