The Tata Sierra SUV will come with Dolby Atmos

The Tata Sierra was revived last month. And now, Tata Motors has announced a partnership with Dolby Laboratories that confirms the SUV is going to support Dolby Atmos right out of the gate. Here’s all you need to know. 

Your road trips would sound a whole lot better

Dolby Atmos is the same tech you see in high-end movie theatres or on Apple Music. Instead of strictly mixing sounds to a left or right channel like old-school stereo, specific audio “objects” can be placed by sound engineers anywhere in a 3D space. So, when you are listening to something, it feels like the music is happening around you rather than just at you.

To actually make this work properly, the car is packed with a 12-speaker setup. That is a lot of drivers for one cabin, and it’s all handled by the onboard software to ensure the soundscape is balanced for everyone sitting inside, not just the driver.

You do need compatible stuff to listen to for Atmos to kick in. The announcement specifically mentions Gaana for music and Audible for audiobooks, so they should be compatible automatically.

ALSO READ: Dolby Digital vs DTS: Audio and surround sound formats compared

The folks at Dolby seem pretty stoked about getting their tech into more Indian cars. Karan Grover, a director at Dolby, said the goal is to transform the cabin into an “emotionally engaging experience.”

Meanwhile, Tata’s Chief Product Officer, Mohan Savarkar, echoed that sentiment, suggesting the “legendary” return of the Sierra needed an audio setup to match the hype.

Driving is seen as more than a commute by the target audience here. If you are going to be spending hours in traffic or on the highway, having a 12-speaker dome of sound seems like a pretty nice way to pass the time.

The Tata Sierra marks the return of the iconic nameplate discontinued in 2003. It’s entering the market anew with modern ICE engines and plans for an EV variant down the line. Pricing starts at Rs 11.49 lakh ex-showroom.