IndiBlog

The much awaited micro car from Tata is finally here. As the media waited with baited breath and almost caused a stampede while getting into the launch arena at the Auto Expo in Delhi, Mr. Ratan Tata fulfilled his promise to the people of India by launching the 'Nano' the already famous Rs. 1 lakh peoples car. The 'Nano' is an appropriate name for the smallest, lightest automobile on Indian roads or roads across the world for that matter. The first thing that strikes you about the 'Nano' is that it is not a bad looking ugly boxy hatch but for the price it’s quite proportionate and well styled. Its mono box design might seem boxy but generates a lot of interior space which can seat four adults comfortably. It has four doors, is 3.1 metres long and 1.5 metres wide with a height of 1.6 metres. The 'Nano' has an all aluminum two cylinder 623cc (33bhp) petrol engine mated with a four speed manual gearbox. Company officials during the press conference confirmed that a diesel engine is also on the cards but the timeframe hasn’t been chalked out yet. The Nano has its engine at the rear and is a rear wheel drive car. That makes it sound like a small fun hatch to run around town in.

Fuel efficiency is expected to be in the range of 18-20 kmpl and the Nano has been tested at a top speed of 105 kmph by Tata Motors. The wheel size seems tiny at only 12 inches, shod with MRF tubeless radials. The front tyres are narrower than those at the rear which are driven as the Nano is a rear wheel drive. The Nano's electrical would be powered by an Exide battery. The rear looks very neat with a well crafted bumper integrated with the exhaust pipe in the centre. The Nano meets all emmission and safety norms including crash test norms in India and would be geared to meet European & other country norms as and when it is launched internationally. The car has a provision to be fitted with airbags and ABS however these are not being offered on any variant in India as it is not yet mandatory for manufacturers to do so.

The base model would not have air conditioning. A deluxe model is planned which will feature air-conditioning and more luxurious interiors however no power steering as their might be no need for it in a light rear wheel drive car like the Nano. The Nano has a provision for a music system with speakers located under the rear seats. These of course will cost more, and Tata hints that profit will only come from these more expensive variants. Speaking of challenges faced during the Nano small car project Mr. Tata said that at no time did they feel that it wan not possible to produce such a car however many a times they were faced with challenges in meeting cost and time targets. The Nano will be produced entirely at Tata’s Singur plant (West Bengal) which is under construction and is going to have an annual capacity of 250,000-350,000 units. The plant was flooded during the monsoon season however construction work is underway and it is scheduled to be complete soon. As part of the cost-cutting exercise, 35 parts suppliers have moved into the same complex, reducing transport costs and time delays dramatically. Tata has filed for 34 patents for the Nano most of which are for the powertrain. The Nano will be sold in India for two or three years before Tata look at selling it in Africa, Latin America and S.E Asia. The possibility of a global distribution tie-up with Fiat seems strong.

The base model of the Tata Nano will cost Rs. 1 lakh (ex-factory) and would attract 12.5% VAT + Transport + Registration + Insurance costing to about Rs. 1.2 lakh on road in most Indian cities. Buyers can que up for the Nano in the second half of the current financial year, when the car goes into showrooms.

PHOTOS FROM THE AUTO EXPO 2008