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-   -   Tata Nano : Test Drive & Review (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/official-new-car-reviews/112835-tata-nano-test-drive-review-16.html)

Well I have always driven Nano in city, so never went beyond 60 km/hr or max 70 km/hr. Though disc brakes is something I would have loved in Nano, but I find these brakes effective enough, provided you follow the 2 sec rule from the vehicle ahead of you.

A couple of Bangalore-based scenarios I hope you can answer:

1. Say you accelerate to 80 in outer ring road (typical when travelling really early in the morning or really late in the night). Ever felt that the brakes wouldn't be able to stop in time if an idiot jay-walker speaking on a mobile phone suddenly jumped onto the road ?

2. How are the brakes for parking speeds and bumper-to-bumper traffic seen in traffic jams around corporation circle, KR circle, etc ?

if you drive below 70kmph speeds, the brakes bite sharp, with a strong jab on the pedal.

if you drive at 80kmph, you surely need the 2 sec rule, also should be extra careful if wet, as the nano may lock the wheels and skid.

above 80kmph speeds, brakes may become wavery, not bcoz of the effect, but bcoz of the puny tyres, which may lose grip...

always practice braking + gear downshifting IMHO.

Thanks for your replies. About this point in particular - are tyre upgrades possible on a nano to increase grip levels ? Perhaps upsize everything to 165/65 R12 or (maybe) Indica Xeta's 165/65 R13 ?

Nano's front tyres - 135/70R12 can be upgraded to maruti 800's 145/70R12, but you will feel a little stiff steering at crawling speeds.

rear tyres can be upgraded to 165/60R12 (available) or if you can find 165/65R12 (dont know if this size is available), its a much better option.

upgrading front tyres to 145 size alone will make the car a better handler. rear tyres have enough grip so, better leave it as it is. nano's front tyres are made skinnier so that it understeers when turning, which is safer. 145 will make that understter lesser but you need to be little more careful when entering the turns, and be extra cautious on exit of curves. it may handle sharper like a go-kart with its tail on fire, lol...

I travel everyday around 60 Km on the Outer Ring Road in Bangalore. Aas mentioned in the later post, if you are driving above 80 km/hr you would need a 2 sec rule to be followed.

The thing about wet surface is also true, Nano's wheel get locked very easily at speeds beyond 70 km/hr (if you brake). In traffic and parking places I didnt find any issue with the brakes

I have driven it at about 110 km/hr at night when the roads are empty. Vehicle is stable as long as you are not on a curve while braking. On curve, you feel a slight wobble, but generally you need to follow the principle of pumping the brake rather than jumping on it in emergencies.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/m...r-emerging-ma/
A global car smaller than Figo for the emerging markets?

Mods, please move to the relevant thread if going off topic.

Ka is actually one old design I wouldn't mind seeing on the road.
It still looks quite chirpy. Maybe they could rework the features and specs. Lets see what replacement they come out with. If it's grown-up, it could be wearing the Aston moustache. :)

Re the brakes, I too was apprehensive as the Nano has drums all round. However the booster does its job well. I have now completed around 2.5k and I don't miss the front discs. There's absolutely no need to go for front discs.

The Nano which stays parked at my place has completed more than a year. No service done to it since, the Car is shy of 8,000kms mark and despite doing this (refer to the picture below) returns a superb 20kmpl and that too while frosting the window panes.

The Car is preferred for my workplace which are around 150kms for a round trip. The roads which I usually traverse are a through construction zone or there are no roads at all. Pass through small kasbas where vegetable sellers throng the main road and sell their stuff. A small Car like this does wonders to your Blood Pressure.

Now most of us know what the Nano is built for and hence I won't go in for poor brakes or cruising speed or such.

In the next upgrade, I would want the Car to sport a

# Rear wash-wipe function.

# Power steering. The M-800 is easier to steer.

# Better beading in the door, fine dust particles do sneak in.

# Better brakes :D

The same day I managed to plonk the Car in a small ditch (FR wheel) My Figo would have spun wheels & thrown muck all over, this RWD took the Car out without any fuss & I was contemplating as to whom to call up for assistance. I really don't know why it varies the rpm at full throttle. The next up-grade should eliminate this as well.

Nano would be going for its first service shortly. It needs a dent & paint job in the driver's door. The only goodie I have planned is front speakers & tasty alloy wheels. It shall complete the Car. And yeah, the LHS RVM as well. It isn't the '12 model.

P.s. - I don't own the Car.

The Nano being RWD, sticking your front wheel in mud won't affect it much, just like your Figo would have reacted if you had got a rear wheel stuck in mud. However it's no different from other cars except for this. So if you got a rear wheel stuck in mud, things could get difficult (first-hand experience).

Using the AC does not seem to have much effect on the FE. The good part about it is you can enjoy AC without worrying about dropping the FE, and the bad part is switching off the AC does little to boost the FE.

Yes, the throttle response is not entirely uniform. I am facing peculiar problems when downshifting from second to first and then taking off. The rpms sometimes are erratic and I have to carefully monitor the throttle inputs. However it's something one can live with.

Booked Sunshine yellow Nano-LX, from Aadya motors Bangalore.

on road road price 252000, includes Dussera offer of 4 alloys + music system + L & R glove box + body graphics.

Congratulations Buddy!!! Initial Ownership Report awaited.

Can you please upload pics of the L/R Gloveboxes when fitted. I am planning on getting it done, but just want to know how they look.

Congrats Dhawald3, also look forward to seeing your car's pics soon.
Torquecurve: This may be the special edition Nano as reported by Gaddi.com.
See this link.