AutoblogGreen

Tata eMO electric vehicle still on the drawing board

Jon LeSage — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:53:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Tata

Aystery still shrouds the presence of Tata Motors in the US auto market. The Tata eMO concept car received a lot of attention and praise a year ago at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show as an "electric mobility study." Oh, and because it sported a $20,000 price tag and roomy interior. On the gasoline side of the ledger, the redesigned Tata Nano may or may not be available in the US within three years for under $10,000. But where does the eMO stand?

Tata Technologies' Kevin Fisher answered a few questions about this, clarifying (again) that Tata Technologies doesn't build cars - it advises clients on how to make cars, 80 percent of them being in the auto industry. Fisher previously called the eMO a "giant business card" and says Tata Technologies is still attempting to move the eMO forward. To do that, Tata Technologies will need the go-ahead from Tata Motors. Tata Motors builds cars for the Indian market, including the Nano and Indica (the company owns both Jaguar and Land Rover). For now, the eMO is still in the hands of Tata Technologies and Tata Motors hasn't committed to investing in or building the car yet. Even more perplexing is that Tata Technologies hasn't asked Tata Motors for support lately. "Tata Motors has their own product portfolio," Fisher told Forbes. "We don't have access to that and we work with them at arm's length."

For now, Tata Technologies is seeking 15 patents on the eMO and spending "a considerable amount" to build and refine it, according to Fisher, who added that it's been a real challenge for the engineering team - building a nimble, affordable electric car for the North American market. One important item on the to do list is more speed testing. When the prototype was unveiled, it was claimed it would reach 65 miles per hour. The problem? It's never exceeded 30 mph on a test track.

Last year, we noted that Tata Motors has been working with France-based Dassualt Systems to develop more technology for the eMO. Both companies were analyzing how to keep the cost and weight of the vehicle as low as possible to stay in the $20,000 price range, but a detailed plan never materialized. In other words, Tata-branded cars - electric or gas-powered - are still not scheduled for arrival in the US market. Will that ever change?

Tata eMO electric vehicle still on the drawing board originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ratan Tata hopes to restart Nano sales after fiery start [w/video]

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:52:00 EST

Filed under: India, Tata

When India's Tata introduced the Nano in 2009 at about $2,500, it was a hot-seller. It was expected to set the world on fire with demand for cheap wheels. In fact, a year after its rollout, the Nano almost did set the world on fire after at least three units burned to a crisp. Sales plummeted to a record low of 509 in November, 2010.

Ratan Tata has run the company for 20 years and plans to retire at the end of this year. But before he leaves the company, he hopes to revive sales of the little car he helped develop.

"The Nano is something I would love to make successful because I don't think it's exploited its full potential right now," Tata said in an interview with Bloomberg TV India. "There has to be another push to make Nano what it can be."

Extended warranties for current Nano owners, as well as promises that the fires were only isolated incidents, were the first step at restoring confidence in the Nano. A new version of the Nano came out in November with a larger engine, and July sales totaled 5,485. In all of last year it sold 74,527. By comparison, Suzuki sold 491,389 examples of its competing Maruti brand.

In the video below, Ratan Tata talks a bit about the company's purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover and of his upcoming retirement.

Continue reading Ratan Tata hopes to restart Nano sales after fiery start [w/video]

Ratan Tata hopes to restart Nano sales after fiery start [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata works with French company on sub-$20,000 EV

Danny King — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, India, Tata

Yes, the car will still cost less than $20,000. No, we still don't know when it's coming out.

India-based Tata Motors is working with France-based Dassualt Systems at developing more technology for the eMO ("electric mobility") electric vehicle that's so far only appeared in concept form, the Hindu Business Line reported.

The two companies are working on design touches that will keep both the cost and weight of the vehicle as low as possible in order to reach the goal of selling a vehicle with a 100-mile single-charge range for less than $20,000, according to the publication. But there's still no word on how much Tata's investing or when a production model will see the light of day.

Tata Technologies' President of Vehicle Programs and Development Kevin Fisher, speaking at the North American Auto Show in Detroit in January, called the eMO "a giant business card" that the automaker was using to pitch its new technologies, though he wasn't specific on if or when the car would be made.

Tata has said the eMO's 18.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack can provide as many as 100 miles on a single charge. The car's design aspects include "suicide" rear doors and no B-pillar to allow for a larger opening, which will make up for the fact that the car will have no rear hatch.

Tata, which acquired Jaguar Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion four years ago, continues to show signs of entering the electric-drive vehicle market. Tata had planned to start selling its Tata Vista Indica electric vehicle in India last year, though that model has yet to debut. Tata has said the 74-horsepower Vista Indica EV has a top speed of 71 miles per hour as well as a 100-mile single-charge range.

Tata works with French company on sub-$20,000 EV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata Megapixel is a high-res effort on a low-res budget

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:48:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Tata

What's the next Tata Nano going to look like? The Megapixel concept is a good indication of where the Indian brand's ultra cheap micro-car could be headed in the next few years, and if the onboard tech makes it to production, the Megapixel could be one of the most compelling - and most affordable - city cars in the world.

Measuring in at a scant 138 inches, the Megapixel combines a small footprint with four electrically powered and individually articulating wheels that help it achieve an impressive nine-foot turning radius.

Power is provided by the aforementioned wheel-mounted electric motors which can deliver a maximum of 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 13kW lithium-ion battery pack providing the juice. A 325cc single-cylinder gasoline engine will refill the batteries for trips longer than 54 miles, giving the Megapixel a theoretical range of over 560 miles. A production model is still a ways out, but with Tata's continued expansion and ambition, we wouldn't be surprised to see something like the Megapixel on sale in India and other developing markets by the end of the decade.

Tata Megapixel is a high-res effort on a low-res budget originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A123 announces plans to make battery packs for Tata hybrid buses

Danny King — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:54:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Tata

A123, the battery company that supplies lithium-ion battery packs for companies such as Fisker Automotive, BMW and General Motors, will produce battery packs for hybrid-electric buses made by Tata Motors, India's biggest automaker.

The battery packs will be used in Tata's hybrid city buses starting in the second half of the year, A123 said in a statement today. Tata, which acquired Jaguar Land Rover from Ford in 2008 for $2.3 billion, is boosting its efforts towards electric drivetrains by working on automobile models such as the Vista Indica EV.

For A123, the contract is a bit of good news given that's staking some of its future on Fisker, for which it supplies battery packs for the Fisker Karma extended-range plug-in luxury sedan. That company has received less than half of its $529 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy and may forfeit the remainder because of delays in production, though Fisker says it is seeking alternative funding sources.

Tata represents at least the third new battery-making contract for A123 in the past couple of months. In January, A123 said it will make battery packs for BMW's 3-series and ActiveHybrid 5-series hybrid-electric vehicles. Earlier this year, the company, whose customers also include General Motors, said it would make battery packs for the new Via extended-range plug-in trucks that were unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Continue reading A123 announces plans to make battery packs for Tata hybrid buses

A123 announces plans to make battery packs for Tata hybrid buses originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata eMO proves you don't need a hatch on a hatchback

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Detroit Auto Show, Tata

Let's dial back a bit on the blanket statement that the Tata eMO will never be built. Speaking with representatives of Tata Technologies at the Detroit Auto Show today, it's clear that should the stars align in just the right manner, we might see something somewhat like the eMO on the road. Someday.

Tata Technologies' Kevin Fisher, the president of vehicle programs and development, said that the eMO is basically a "giant business card" meant to show off the company's capabilities. There are 15 patent in process thanks to the eMO, for example, to say nothing of the clever use of interior space by eliminating a pillar between the doors as well as any sort of rear opening. The rear seats push up close against the rear window, a move that really does make the eMO capable of holding four adults in relative comfort. Three things to note: First, the minimalist interior saves space by doing things like including only one center armrest. Second, to open the rear doors from outside the car, you need to reach in and around to get at the handle on the inside. There is no outside handle. Three, the low, sloping roof line does present a head-bumping hazard when exiting the eMO. Trust us on this one. The unusual frame shape is strong, though, Fisher said, adding that the eMO passed North American crash standards in Tata's computerized tests.

Still, Fisher told AutoblogGreen, if an OEM or someone with Tata Motors comes to him and asks to build the eMO or to use some of the technology the engineers used to create an electric car that Tata says can get over 100 miles from its 18.4-kWh battery pack while keeping a $20,000 price tag, Tata would be more than willing to help put the car into production.

For more on the eMO, read our previous post on the car, check out the technical details and have a look at the photo gallery of this tiny and impressive bit of electric engineering.

Continue reading Tata eMO proves you don't need a hatch on a hatchback

Tata eMO proves you don't need a hatch on a hatchback originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata eMO is a $20,000 EV that will never be made

Danny King — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Detroit Auto Show, Tata

Tata is working on another electric vehicle. Like the Indica Vista EV from Tata Motors from a few years ago, the all-electric eMO from Tata Technologies (another part of the much larger Tata Group) shows off Tata's global efforts to move vehicles off of gasoline.

With a 100-mile range and a top speed of 65 miles per hour, the electric MObility (eMO) concept looks good on paper, most importantly the idea that it could be sold for $20,000 before incentives, as Tata Technologies' Nigel Giddons told The New York Times. Even though the concept is not intended for production, Tata thought thorugh ways to save money throughout the manufacturing process. The way this low number was achieved was through a minimalistic attitude of the interior (á la the low-cost Nano) and by allowing the electric powertrain to dictate some unusual design choices. There's no traditional b-pillar, for example, since the rear doors are suicide-style to create a large opening for getting in and out and for putting cargo in the back seats. You have to used the side doors, since there is also no rear hatch, which reduces weight. In a statement, Warren Harris, Tata Technologies President and Global COO, said the, "eMO project symbolizes the coming of age of Indian automotive engineering."

We'll see more of the eMO at the Michelin Challenge Design during the 2012 Detroit Auto Show next week. This year, the MCD's theme is, "City 2046: Art, Life and Ingenuity - Transforming Personal Mobility." An EV with a 100-mile range for just $20,000 may sound good in 2012, but by 2046, we assume this won't be enough.

Tata eMO is a $20,000 EV that will never be made originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata unveiling Manza Hybrid concept at New Delhi show

Danny King — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Tata

Tata Motors will unveil a hybrid-electric version of its Tata Manza at the Auto Expo 2012 show in New Delhi next week, as the India-based automaker continues to hint at including electric-drive vehicles in its fleet.

The Tata Manza Hybrid concept car will include lithium-ion batteries, according to Rushlane.com. Little else has been revealed about the performance, price or potential debut date of the Manza Hybrid, but other advanced-powertrain vehicles to be unveiled at the show include the Mahindra Verito Electric.

Tata, which in 2008 acquired Jaguar Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion, continues to show signs of moving into electric-drive powertrains to boost its fleetwide fuel efficiency. The company had planned to start selling its Tata Vista Indica electric vehicle in India last year, though that model has yet to debut there. Tata says the 74-horsepower Vista Indica EV has a single-charge range of about 100 miles and a top speed of 71 miles per hour.

Tata started selling gas and diesel versions of its Manza series last February, with prices starting at about $10,000. Tata said last June that one Manza owner was able to get fuel economy of 46.33 km per liter (about 109 miles per gallon) out of his diesel-powered Manza. Additionally, Tata last March debuted its Tata Indica eV2. That diesel-powered compact achieved fuel economy of about 59 miles per gallon, making it India's most fuel-efficient production car certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

Tata unveiling Manza Hybrid concept at New Delhi show originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata Nano gets upgrades, looks to beat sluggish sales

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:06:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Tata

Tata is out to battle lukewarm demand for the company's Nano with a range of improvements to the world's least-expensive new vehicle. Engineers have upped the Nano's power and fuel efficiency while decreasing emissions at the same time. The vehicle's 624-cc engine now produces a whopping 37.5 horsepower, enough to help the machine tackle up to 30 percent road grades and reach a max speed of 65 mph. The company has also reworked the suspension on the Nano with a new anti-roll bar in the front as well as a redesigned steering mechanism.

More importantly, the Nano Standard now comes with power-assisted brakes. That nicety was only available on higher trims in the past. Inside, the Nano now wears new materials available in three colors: beige, black or gray, though buyers may now select from a range of 10 different exterior paints.

Tata is likely desperate to do something to improve the vehicle's sales. While the company originally projected that buyers would take home between 20,000 and 25,000 Nano vehicles a month, September only saw 1,200 units leave dealer lots. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Tata Nano gets upgrades, looks to beat sluggish sales

Tata Nano gets upgrades, looks to beat sluggish sales originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rajasthan, India offering free Tata Nano in exchange for your sterilization

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:54:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., India, Tata

2011 Tata Nano - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a 2011 census, India has a population of 1,210,193,422 people. That's 17.47 percent of the world's population living on just 2.3 percent of the planet. The only place more crowded is a new In-N-Out at lunch time. Health officials in India are looking for novel ways to drum up interest in sterilization clinics, and one in particular has resorted to prize giveaways. The top draw? A new Tata Nano.

According to The Times of India, Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan is offering a variety of prizes for men who come into their clinic and put the clamps on their own private ball state swim team. Besides the Nano, prizes include motorcycles, TVs and kitchen stand mixers.

[Source: The Times of India | Images: Photos copyright 2011 Rex Roy / AOL]

Rajasthan, India offering free Tata Nano in exchange for your sterilization originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electric Tata Indica Vista is no Nissan Leaf

Eric Loveday — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Tata

Though regularly overshadowed by vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, specs for the battery-powered Tata Indica Vista EV seem to indicate that it's a worthy competitor.

Let's look at those numbers: Tata says the vehicle will offer performance on par with other electric autos: a 0 to 60 miles per hour time of under ten seconds, the ability to go 125 or so miles on a full charge and a top speed of 71 mph. The Indica Vista EV is expected to have a MSRP that falls between £25,000 to £30,000 ($40,648 to $48,777 U.S. at the current exchange rate) and Tata says that it will build at least 1,500 of the electrified four-seaters.

Those numbers look good, but sometimes numbers mean next to nothing. Recently, Plugin Cars spent some time with Tata's electric hatch and walked away less than impressed. The reviewer called its looks "cheap and dated" and referred to the vehicle as a "no-thrill back-to-basic transportation tool." Okay, that's fine as long as the Indica Vista performs, right? Well, according to Plugin Cars, the electric Indica Vista lacks power, especially at takeoff, isn't entertaining to drive and offers little in the way of road feel through its steering wheel.

Luckily, the Indica Vista's saving grace may be its Leaf-beating stated range, delivered from a 31-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. However, Plugin Cars says that the Nissan Leaf is vastly superior to the Indica Vista and that choosing the electric Tata over Nissan's battery-powered hatch only makes sense if it were, oh, let's say 30 percent cheaper.

[Source: Plugin Cars]

Electric Tata Indica Vista is no Nissan Leaf originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Tata to double Nano production

Eric Loveday — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Manufacturing/Plants, MPG, Lightweight, Tata

2011 Tata Nano CX - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sales of the pint-sized Tata Nano have increased dramatically in the last couple of months, reportedly convincing Tata to double production of its pocketbook-friendly microcar. In March, the Indian automaker moved 8,707 Nanos, pulling to within a hair of its 9,000-unit sales record posted back in July of 2010.

After a summer of moving near-record numbers last year, sales of the Nano slipped to 589 in November, following reports that the cars were bursting into flames. After that debacle, Tata offered free extended warranties on the Nano and a comprehensive maintenance plan for a mere 99 rupees a month ($2.25 U.S. at the current exchange rate). Those incentives seem to have worked, pushing Nano sales back to near-record levels. Tata currently builds 9,000-10,000 Nanos a month at its Sanand, India plant, but the automaker will bump up output to 20,000 sometime this fiscal year.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Rex Roy / AOL

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Tata to double Nano production originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata Indica Vista EV owners share driving impressions with everyone

Eric Loveday — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:51:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, UK, Tata

In late March, the Tata Indica Vista EV officially started rolling down the assembly lines in the UK. Before that, Michael and Angela Boxwell, owners of a MG ZS, Nissan Cube and a Reva G-Wiz electric car and members of the UK's CABLED trial, headed off to Tata's factory in Coventry to grab a pre-production Indica Vista EV. Angela Boxwell says that the electrified Tata will replace the MG ZS and she, along with her husband, will share their Indica Vista experiences with the entire world via the Owning an Electric Car blog.

The Boxwells are a family of four whose day-to-day routine includes several short journeys. On average, the Boxwells rack up only 22 miles of driving per day and plan to put the electrified Tata to the test by using it for all of their daily journeys for an entire year, only reverting to the gasoline-fueled Nissan Cube for family vacations.

So far, the Boxwells have posted a review of their first week behind the wheel of the electrified Vista, which you can read by clicking here. Though impressed with the vehicle, the couple plans to conduct some tests to see if the Indica Vista lives up to its claimed 110 miles of range. To follow the Boxwells as they trial Tata's electrified hatchback for the next twelve months, click here. Hat tip to Manix!

[Source: Owning Electric Car]

Tata Indica Vista EV owners share driving impressions with everyone originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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D'oh! Electric car gets parking ticket while using public charger

Eric Loveday — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:49:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, UK, Tata

Meter maids in the UK have come under fire after ticketing an electric car while it was juicing up at a public charger in Conventry. A parking warden spotted an electric Tata that overstayed the three-hour time limit and ticketed the vehicle on the spot.

A passerby - actually, a city worker who wishes to remain anonymous - snapped pictures of the ordeal and told the local newspaper that:

I took the picture because it made me think that we've got all these new charging points and we're pushing this big green agenda, but when people start taking it up the first thing that happens is that they're hit with a fine. I presume it got the ticket because the driver had left it there for more than three hours. Yes, there are restrictions there but I think it comes back to the point that if you want people to adopt new technology don't penalize people for using it.

The whistle blower recommended that the city council reconsiders its parking policies, stating:

If there has to be a limit it should at least be extended to as long as it takes to get the car charged. If people don't think they can use that space because they're scared of getting a ticket it's defeating the whole point.

How did Coventry's city council respond? By releasing this non-apologetic statement:

The ticket was issued as it was observed the vehicle had been parked for more than three hours. There is a sign indicating there is a three hour limit. The driver has the right to appeal if it was felt it had been issued incorrectly

In response to that, the anonymous city worker had this say:

It would be brilliantly ironic if it turned out to be a car belonging to a member of the council.

[Source: Coventry Telegraph via All Cars Electric | Image: Charleston's The Digitel - C.C. License 2.0]

D'oh! Electric car gets parking ticket while using public charger originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electric Tata Indica Vista enters production in UK

Eric Loveday — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, UK, Tata

Back in September 2008, Tata Motors confirmed that rumors of an electrified Indica Vista were true when the car was unveiled to the media in India. Since then, Tata has made significant progress developing the electric hatch and, even though the Indica Vista EV is regularly overshadowed by vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, it's no less of a breakthrough vehicle than its headline-grabbing competitors. It's also finally here.

The Indica Vista EV is now rolling down the assembly lines in the UK. The electric hatch is expected to have a base price that falls between £25,000 to £30,000 ($40,203 to $48,243 U.S. at the current exchange rate). However, the Vista EV does qualify for the UK's £5,000 ($8,041 U.S.) plug-in car grant, which drop its price down to a more reasonable level.

Tata intends to build at least 1,500 of the electrified four-seaters, a vehicle that performs on par with other electrics vehicles (0-60 miles per hour in less than ten seconds, 110 miles on a full charge, top speed of 71 mph). With the battery-powered Vista set to launch in Europe this summer, the Opel Ampera and the Nissan Leaf will have one more competitive vehicle coming soon.

[Source: The Charging Point]

Electric Tata Indica Vista enters production in UK originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Tata Pixel microcar concept headed for production

Eric Loveday — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:51:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Lightweight, Europe/EU, Tata

2011 Tata Pixel Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Tata Motors has reportedly given the Tata Pixel, a microcar concept it just unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the production green light. Tata says the pint-sized Pixel, which measures less than 10-feet long, is the "most package-efficient four-seater in the world." For the sake of comparison, the Tata Nano is close to one foot longer than the Pixel.

Autocar reports that the Pixel, once it hits the market with those swinging doors converted to conventional units, will take the place of Tata's proposed Nano Europa, which had been slated for launch this year.

The Pixel will reportedly be powered by the same 60-horsepower, 1.2-liter diesel engine found in the current Nano. The mill will supposedly be mounted under the rear seats and connect to a five-speed gearbox. We suspect that Tata will launch the Pixel in European markets as soon as possible.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Tata Pixel microcar concept headed for production originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Tata Pixel Concept turns on itself

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:55:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, Geneva Motor Show, Tata

Tata Pixel Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Tata has revealed its Euro city car concept in Geneva today and it's a trick little piece. First off, Tata says it is the most efficiently-packaged four-seater in the world, comfortably seating four regulation-size adults in a car just 10 feet long.

Even more trick is the car's zero turning radius system, which, in simple terms, rotates the rear wheels in separate directions to make parking as easy as possible in tight spaces. According to Tata, the system works with the help of something called a "Zero Turn turoidal traction-drive Infinitely Variable Transmission." Right. The effect is that the outside rear wheel spins forward while the inside wheels spins backward, creating a pivot point.

In keeping with the modern microcar trend, Tata claims that the Pixel will return more than 60 mpg and only releases 89 grams of C02 per kilometer. The efficiency comes by way of a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbodiesel, which, though it isn't a full hybrid, employs stop-start technology and regenerative battery charging.

Could we be looking at a blueprint for a future Nano? Perhaps more in form factor than in specific technologies, but either way, this is a nifty looking little space egg.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Tata]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Tata Pixel Concept turns on itself

Geneva 2011: Tata Pixel Concept turns on itself originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ratan Tata pours $15M into project researching water as fuel

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:54:00 EST

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hydrogen, Tata

The lure of extracting hydrogen from water in a somewhat real-time fashion in sufficient quantities to power an automobile has so far been a complete dead-end pursuit. One of the biggest problems is that it takes more energy to release the hydrogen from its water-tight bonds than is actually returned by the resulting hydrogen.

But those basic laws of physics haven't stopped scientists with well-funded checkbooks from trying. The latest endeavor comes from Daniel Nocera of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is being funded by Indian businessman Ratan Tata, who, among other things, heads the global automaker that bears his name. At this time, the total grant comes in at $15 million.

As intriguing as all of this sounds, it bears mentioning that water-powered cars have repeatedly failed in their missions (see here) of offering nearly free fuel for all.

Take the story of the MDI's air car. In 2007, Tata signed a deal with MDI to bring the air-powered car to market and the companies said in early 2008 that the car would require nearly two years of work. We have heard little about it since then except a name change to FlowAir and a lot of skepticism that it would ever see the light of day at all. Will Tata's hydrogen bet fare any better? Thanks to Matteo and Roy B. for the tips!

[Sources: Sify News, ANSA.IT | Image: AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade]

Report: Ratan Tata pours $15M into project researching water as fuel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Tata

Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries - Click above for image gallery

Try to imagine the most basic car on the road, and you'll likely conjure up images of the Tata Nano. The Citroën 2CV of our time, the Nano was conceived as bare-bones, bargain-basement transport for the masses. But while it makes the rest of us wonder how much our own cars are really worth, sales of the diminutive budget car have been lagging in the wake of safety concerns after cars were reported to be spontaneously combusting due to bad wiring and such.

To drum up enthusiasm for the Nano, Tata has brought in one of its subsidiaries, Titan Industries, to give the car a more luxe appearance in the form of gold and jewels. Celebrating the 5,000th anniversary of Indian jewelry, Tata and Titan launched a public campaign to solicit designs for a bedazzled Nano. Thirteen designs came in, with the winner you see here chosen just a few days ago. The conspicuous one-off will be crafted out of pure gold by Titan at its facility in Bagalore. Have a closer look at the winning design, along with a couple of the runners-up, in the gallery below.

[Source: International Business Times]

Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata readies electric Indica Vista for early 2011 launch

Eric Loveday — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, India, Tata

Way back in September of 2008, Tata Motors confirmed that the rumors of an electric Indica Vista were true when they unveiled it to the media in India. Since then, Tata Motors has made significant progress developing the electric hatch. Even though the battery-powered Indica is often overshadowed by vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, it's no less of a breakthrough vehicle than its more publicized competitors.

Less than twelve months from now, the electric Tata Indica Vista should take to the streets. The hatch comfortably carries four adults, performs on par with other electrics coming to the market soon (0-60 miles per hour in ten seconds) and boasts an impressive claimed range of up to 150 miles on a full charge. The Indica Vista captured the title in the recent Brighton to London Future Car Challenge and, if all goes according to the plan, could hit the market at a price that undercuts almost all of the battery-powered rides scheduled to reach dealerships soon. Unfortunately, this electric Tata, like all of the other vehicles built by the Indian automaker, isn't likely to make the trip to the States, and that's precisely why it flies under our radar so often. Hat tip to David!

[Source: Gizmag]

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