Tata Nano to come in diesel, electric flavors
click above for more images of the Tata Nano
Those in emerging markets hoping to get their hands on the cheapest car in the world may soon have a few more option boxes to consider checking. Chairman Ratan Tata has said in the past that an electric-only version of the Tata Nano is likely, and now industry sources are saying that a diesel engine is also in the works. Displacing 800cc and including common-rail injection from Bosch and a Honeywell turbocharger, the diesel engine has been designed by German powertrain specialist FEV, the same firm that India's Mahindra reportedly contacted for help with its latest diesel hybrid engine.
We don't yet know what kind of fuel mileage the diesel would offer, but the twin cylinder gas engine standard in the Nano is good for 54 U.S. miles per gallon and the diesel should better that figure somewhat, though most likely for a slight increase in price.
Gallery: Tata Nano: The People's Car
[Source: The Economic Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sean 10:55AM (7/25/2008)
Yeah! An all-electric version would be great!
Is it me or does the front end look like a cartoon Prius after running into a wall?
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monobox 7:17AM (7/27/2008)
"Is it me or does the front end look like a cartoon Prius after running into a wall?"
Those were exactly my thoughts when I first saw the photos. The looks have been growing on me.
Joey 12:48PM (7/25/2008)
Would love one. Would buy one. Would like to see slightly bigger tires. hopefully they'll be one at the N.Y.C. Auto Show in 2009.
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a.brien 1:27PM (7/25/2008)
If they export this car to u.s.a it will be a hit. People can change their mind, at least some and this car can find a niche market
in the cheap buyer category like me. I bought a dodge neon in 2005 when it was in liquidation and i paid only 11 800$. The
cheapest car that summer because they cease producing it
at that time. Im satisfied with me neon as a commuter car but it's not on par in performance and confort and fit and finnish as a honda civic, but if the game is paying the least possible then it's a good buy, LOL.
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Brent 2:00PM (7/25/2008)
A car with $10 airbags will not be a hit in the United States.
axiom 3:06PM (7/25/2008)
"A car with $10 airbags will not be a hit in the United States."
Thats for the Indian market. They have already said they will be modifying the Nano for the US and other markets. Those modifications obviously will enable it to comply with US safety standards.
If they release an electric version in the US they could add a "1" in front of that 2,500 sales price and still be a HUGE hit.
tankd0g 4:10PM (7/25/2008)
Ironically there are plenty of ways it could be sold in the states with no airbags at all.
Matt 3:09PM (7/25/2008)
Would LOVE an affordable, short-range EV like a Nano. Give me 30 miles of range and a 50-60 mph top speed for under $10k and it would cover most of our commuting and errand-running needs.
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UH2L 4:04PM (7/25/2008)
I've never read that the Nano is even coming to the U.S. or Western Europe. Where did you hear that? It would be too difficult to federalize with our safety standards. If it did come here, I would consider an electric version, but not sure how much I would pay for it.
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stevefazek 6:08PM (7/25/2008)
this car will never bee seen as a highway car in this country. The electric could be seen as a NEV.
25MPH limit lead acid batteries 300-400 amp controller 10KW motor i could see it costing 6-8 grand
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catherine 2:27AM (7/26/2008)
Sean,your hilarious,yes it does look like its little nose is squashed in doesn't it? I agree that it would find a market here. There is always a market for the cheapest item in its category ,no matter what. I actually knew a guy who bought a BRAND NEW Yugo! Remember those? Thing started rattling after 2 weeks.
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Mehdi Hassan 3:01PM (7/26/2008)
It is similar to smart for two. This is an ideal city car but will not work better in highways
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jphyundai 9:00AM (7/27/2008)
The Tata Nano and other micro cars (Japanese Kei cars) should be allowed by Congress into the United States to be bought, sold, registered, and driven on public roads freely. This was a free country, and its citizens should have the right to choose their own safety/economy/emission compromise when they choose their own transportation. If this was done, many would ditch their larger cars in favor of the many micro cars available to other consumers in many other countries.
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Andreja 5:41PM (8/13/2008)
Lol Catherine, I live in a country in which Yugo is produced-Serbia. You understand why I can't wait to see nano hitting the eastern Europe market.. :)
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