Tata Motors now bets on super fuel-efficient car

Breaking engineering design and price barriers was not enough for Tata Motors when it displayed the Rs 1-lakh Nano at the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2008. Now, India’s largest commercial vehicle maker has entered an automotive contest in the US for which it will develop an e-drive micro car and an electric hybrid, which, according to the contest rules, should be able to achieve 100 miles per gallon energy equivalent and also have a mass appeal.

According to the New York-based Progressive Automotive, Tata Motors UK has signed a letter of intent to participate in the contest “designed to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles”. Apart from being fast, these cars should also have mass appeal so that consumers.....more

Tata Nano Super Cheap Cars 2009

The people’s car is super-cheap, super-tiny, and super-efficient.

Nestled among the fast and luxurious debuts at the 2008 Geneva auto show is the $2500 Nano show car from India’s Tata Motors.

This so-called people’s car caused quite a stir when it was unveiled in India in January as a car for its domestic market. Although it seats four, the Nano is a paltry 122 inches long—three feet shorter than a Honda Fit and six inches narrower. To maximize space, the wheels are located at the far corners of the car, and the engine is mounted under the rear seat.

Despite its small size, Tata says the car is safe—based on Indian crash-testing results—with crumple zones, anti-intrusion door beams, and seatbelts. But there are no airbags in the first-generation Nano, and some reports say there are only front seatbelts.

Initially, the Nano will be offered to Indian buyers in three trims. The base trim is basic transportation—lacking such luxuries as air conditioning, fog lights, power windows, power steering, and power locks.

The Nano’s powertrain is geared more toward fuel saving than drag racing. The two-cylinder, 600cc engine produces just 33 horsepower but should be frugal enough to manage 50 mpg. Power is routed through a continuously variable automatic to the rear wheels.