The Tata Nano Thread

[vasudeva]

Nano's announced (OK not on road) price of Rs. 1 lakh is roughly the same price as the DVD player in a Lexus.

[badboyscad]

here is a PS job by me, the widebody kit is chopped from the brabus smart:



without the grille:

[Trapezio]

Originally Posted by badboyscad

here is a PS job by me, the widebody kit is chopped from the brabus smart:

Well... Obviously the base car being cheap (compared to the rest of the cars available) it opens up endless possibilities.

Your pictures look decently good. But the handles perhaps could remain the same. Don't you think?

[fx45]

just saw on tv on some news channel.. a slew of nano's going test round with MH 14 reg red plates around pune area.. that was my first time seeing Nano on the road.

[chncar]

If they make a fully loaded small-DICOR engined Nano with luxury interiors, better seats, power steering, bigger alloy wheels, and maybe even ABS/Airbags, and perhaps some innovative blue-and-me type integrated system that manages audio, ipod input, bluetooth phones etc, for around 3 L on road i think there is a huge market for that kind of car as well.

There are so many young people, small families, etc looking to spend that much on a car and that would be unbeatable VFM for them.

I think tata should seriously explore the upmarket/chic segment with the Nano as well as it has a cool factor and they could have celebs and socialites driving in it, just like the do in the Prius in Hollywood.

[sandeepmdas]

Slightly OT (Smart crash test video):
The tiniest car sold in the USA posted some of the best crash-test results, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety will announce Wednesday. This tiny car is not only safe for the environment but also for its driver.
The Smart ForTwo, the twin-seat micro that's so small that two can fit in a single parking space, earned the top rating in front- and side-impact crash tests. It was rated "acceptable" for whiplash protection in rear-end crashes, the agency says.

ABC News: Smart Car Gets Good Grade in Crash Test

[gendarmee]

interesting video i came across

YouTube - Fifth Gear: Which cars you can buy with the money of a Tata?

[adya33]

Originally Posted by fx45

just saw on tv on some news channel.. a slew of nano's going test round with MH 14 reg red plates around pune area.. that was my first time seeing Nano on the road.

Actually about 3 weeks ago Nano's were doing regular rounds around Pune-Satara road (Near Katraj side)
In morning between 8:30 to 9:00 you could definitely spot one. Sometimes two.

Must say it looks good on road, not really small.

[prashanthyr]

BBC news has had an exclusive session with the Nano - BBC NEWS | South Asia | Exclusive look at the Tata Nano

There is a video too.

[ankit.jhamb]

the car looks good in the video (white colour),

[shortbread]

Other than just the price I think Nano's low running costs would really entice many people (singles/bachelors) looking for a car, especially in the city. Once our fuel prices are left open to the open market it wouldn't be suprising to see petrol-diesel hovering in the Rs. 75+- & Rs. 65 zone respectively.
Nano in diesel form would have such a market all to itself till the competition catches up. I also think the deisel version will have much higher margins.
The Indica had the diesel small car market all to itself for nearly seven years and is Tatas cash cow. Guess the diesel Nano is going to do the same.

[NRKUMAR]

Exclusive BBC link on the Nano, with some good interaction with the project lead

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Exclusive look at the Tata Nano

[Cyrus43]

From the video, It seems that the nano drives quite well. But we will know that only after we actually drive it. Will it be as good as the 800???? I doubt.

[shortbread]

Although, there is no denying that the 800 is a great car in the Indian Automotive history, one cant avoid the fact that its basically more than two decades old, its way too easy a benchmark for the Nano.
Given the 800 would be the more powerful car, otherwise from whats seen so far its very obvious that the Nano's going to beat it on Space, Price, Safety stakes. Soon the list is going to get longer.

[shortbread]

It seems the Singur facility where the Nano is to be produced is behind schedule, and the initial production nos. will in no way satisfy demand.
Most probably Tata would go ahead and launch it in September, expect us to put up a booking amount and wait for a year. Here is a link to the report

Tata Motors` Singur plant crawls towards D-day