Tata launches the Nano - the world´s cheapest car
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 10 January 2008
Indian car-maker Tata, who are set to snap up Jaguar and Land Rover in the near future, have launched the ´one-Lakh´ car - billed as the world´s cheapest motor car - at the New Delhi Auto Expo.
The 33bhp 0.6-litre car - officially called the Tata Nano - will cost 100,000 rupees (£1,300, $2,500) and has been designed to make four-wheel automotive transport available to those in developing countries.
Initially only petrol models are available, but a diesel option will be added at a later date. The Nano´s twin-cylinder engine drives the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox.
Standard Tata Nano models do not have air conditioning or power steering, while airbags are not included. There is no passenger-side mirror, and only one windscreen wiper. Wheels are pushed as far into the car´s corners as possible, to maximise interior space.
The Indian carmaker used plastics and adhesives on the ´People´s car´ in place of welding to cut costs.
Despite criticism from environmental campaigners, who argue that more cars on India´s urban roads would be disastrous for congestion, safety and emissions, the car returns over 50mpg and meets Indian emissions standards.
Though Indian emissions targets are not strict by Western standards, Tata claims claims that the Nano will be able to meet Euro-IV emissions regulations.
Company chairman Raman Tata famously devised the ´People´s car´ when seeing a whole family travelling on a motorbike. Tata, who trained as an architect - designed the car himself.
Developing markets
Total passenger vehicle sales in India last year came to just 1.4m vehicles, but the domestic market is expected to explode over the next decade. Ford, Renault, Fiat, Nissan, Renault, Volvo, Volkswagen, Suzuki, Hyundai and Volvo have recently announced their intention to develop factories on the sub-continent. Suzuki is working with Indian company Maruti to build its new supermini - the Concept A-Star - while General Motors has built a design studio in the country to design interiors for new GM cars.
Tata´s likely takeover of Jaguar and Land Rover as Ford looks to divest itself of the luxury marques, combined with the publicity surrounding the Nano, looks set to launch India onto the global automotive map.
India last year launched a national “automotive mission plan” to bolster manufacturing and make the country more attractive to outside investment. The plan outlines annual sales of £73bn and the creation of 25m jobs in India by 2016.
Bajaj Auto has announced plans for its own small car, while Mahindra & Mahindra - another contender to snap up Jag and Land Rover - was recently in talks with Renault over a $1bn joint venture.
What £1,250 will buy you in the UK
• Leather seats on the 2007 Ford Mondeo
• Satnav system on current Audi A6
• CD70 stereo/satnav system on Vauxhall Zafira
• Cruise control on Citroen C2
• Renting Ferrari 355 Spyder for one weekend
• 1994 Volkswagen Passat with 122K on the clock.
Tata Nano stats:
• Alumimium two-cylinder 624cc engine
• Vertically aligned, rear mounted parallel twin
• Power: 33bhp@5500rpm
• Torque: 35lb-ft@2500rpm (48Nm)
• 0-70khp: 14 seconds
• Max Speed: Approximately 63mph (100kph)
• Fuel Economy combined: 60mpg
• Boot capacity: 150 litres
• Length: 3100mm
• Width: 1500mm
• Height: 1600mm
A paradigm shift in the industry, or just a very cheap and otherwise unremarkable car?
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Will this be sold in Western markets? I´d like to see the Nano put through Euro NCAP paces.
I´d like to see it put through some Euro-IV EMISSIONS paces!
Strange, it actually looks exactly like my hamster, Twiglet.
Except it´s not yellow!
Why measure the thing in millimeters? Are the dimensions of the car SO precise that the build will be accurate down to the millimeter? I don´t think so.
Director_Mr - all technical measurements are written in millimetres. Ever read a manufacturer manual?
This thing has "Organ Donor" written all over it
If max speed is 45, wouldn´t 0-70 time be "never"?
0-70 presumably being in KPH. Top speed presumably being in MPH.
Nice car reminds me of toyotas small car hey hell cheap i can buy this for my wife when it launches in uk lets hope it does soon...
well seeing as 45 mph is still only 68kph 0-70 is indeed impossible. Yes it may be affordable and fuel efficient you could never go on any major freeway or high way with it so you would have to take the long way everywhere thus making no real progression in saving gas.
The car is world´s cheapest car but now it is on hold due to Tata company establishment. In the Bengal the company is not running currently by the local people protest. Now, it will come till 2009 in Indian market.
Thanks
http://mymotorcar.blogspot.com/
The (GRD) great republican depression paradigm shift is happening! Incredulous as the remarks seem, these same arrogant folks will not be able to pay for a Nano, and eat at the same time when the monetary system collapses, and the U.S., filled with large bodied hungry people, is spiraling downward according to Obama himself. Still, they do not listen, and scoff at a car they will never have! Black days are ahead! Black days indeed!
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I look forward to seeing Clarkson riddle it with machine gun bullets, or Hammond driving a 200mph Lotus-tuned version.