[Aditya]

The Tata Nano Twist XT has been launched in India at a price of Rs. 2.36 lakh (ex-Delhi).

What you'll like:

• Uniquely cute & cool styling. A car that will make you smile
• New Electric Power Steering makes driving and parking a breeze
• Innovative packaging results in spacious interiors for 4 adults. Generous legroom & headroom
• Peppy performance at speeds <80 kph. Engine offers good urban driveability too
• Powerful air-conditioner will chill you to the bone
• Small footprint & tiny turning radius make the Nano a great urban runabout

What you won't:

• Struggles on steep inclines and stop-go hilly conditions with passengers onboard
• Features like front disc brakes and openable rear hatch are missing
• Low cost nature & quality are obvious
• Image of the "cheapest car in India / the world"
• Tiny 80-liter boot
• Tata's after sales service isn't at par with other mass market players

The Nano AMT (Automatic): Review

[Aditya]

Since the Tata Nano has already been reviewed by Team-BHP, this report will only focus on changes made to the 2014 car. For easy reference, here are direct links to the complete Tata Nano road-test:

Exterior Design & Build Quality

Interior design, space, practicality & features

Engine, gearbox, suspension & on-road behaviour

Other Pertinent Points

The Smaller & Significant Things

[Aditya]

Undoubtedly, the most important change to the Nano in its Twist form is the addition of a power steering unit (which we'll get to in the following posts). On the outside though, the Twist has incorporated just a few subtle changes. Some of them are purely aesthetic, whilst others have functional or cost-based reasoning behind them.

The front of the car features a chrome strip running along the lip of the bonnet. Viewed from the front or side, it's hard to tell the Twist from any other Nano. It's at the rear that we find details distinguishing the car. The hatch is garnished with a “Twist” and “Nano XT” badge, along with a chrome strip running along the lower border. The rear bumper has been altered and now has additional vents shielded by a mesh grille to cool the rear-mounted engine. The passenger-side keyhole (present on our earlier test car) has been removed. However, this shouldn't pose much of a problem, as the Nano is equipped with remote keyless entry & central locking.

The Twist is available in six shades – Dazzle Blue, Papaya Orange, Pearl White, Meteor Silver, Royal Gold and the newly introduced Damson Purple.

The dimensions of the car remain unchanged. With the additional features it has gained though, the kerb weight has risen to 660 kg, which is 60 kilos more than before.

The bonnet gets a chrome strip, which runs along its lip:


The side view doesn't show anything new. This is the recently added Damson Purple colour:


A chrome strip has been provided on the rear hatch as well:


The Twist badge:


Nano XT badge on the hatch (note the mesh grille on the bumper):


A full view of the new rear bumper with additional cooling vents:


Passenger-side door loses its keyhole:


Remote keyless entry:


Our test car sat on alloy wheels. However, they aren't a part of standard equipment:


Stock car comes with steel rims & full wheel covers:

[Aditya]

The interior of the Nano Twist has received more changes than its exterior. The instrument cluster, which remains at the center of the dashboard, features a new Multi-Information Display with an odometer, trip meter, distance to empty counter and average fuel economy. A temperature gauge has been placed at the top right corner of the instrument cluster, while the top left corner gets a fuel gauge. The dials wear updated graphics, while the speedometer needle does a full sweep on start-up.

The dashboard recesses (on either side of the instrument cluster) have been provided with covers, converting them into gloveboxes. The Twist has an AmphiStream music system with a basic equaliser, USB, Aux-in and Bluetooth phone connectivity. Four speakers have been installed – two placed at the extreme ends of the dashboard (just beyond the gloveboxes) and two on the rear parcel shelf. The basic sound quality, however, is nothing to write home about. Further, the system faced difficulty in detecting Bluetooth devices (we tried both, an Android phone & an iPhone).

The front power window switches have been moved from their hard-to-reach position in front of the gear lever, to behind it, making them far more accessible. A 12V power socket now sits in the space ahead of the gear lever. The passenger-side sun visor gets an integrated vanity mirror. Tata has left out the day / night switch of the inside rear view mirror, which was present on the 2012 Nano.

On the mechanical side of things, Tata claims to have repositioned the clutch pedal and has given it a smoother action, based on customer feedback. The newly added power steering motor is hidden away under the dashboard.

Gloveboxes on either side of the instrument cluster, with speakers at the extreme ends:


To open the glovebox, push the lid downward. It will click & spring open:


The driver's side glove box is located directly ahead of the steering column:


New instrument cluster with updated graphics and an MID:


MID houses an odometer, trip meter, average fuel economy and distance to empty counter:


Non-prismatic mirror doesn't have the day / night flip switch:


The driver-side sunvisor features a diagram of the fuse box:


Passenger-side sun visor gets a vanity mirror:


Front power window switches are now placed behind the gear lever (they were placed ahead of it earlier):


12V power socket ahead of the gear lever:


Music system with 4 speakers, USB, Aux-in and Bluetooth connectivity:


Rear speakers on the parcel shelf:


Clutch pedal positioning & action have been reworked, based on customer feedback:


Electric power steering unit is located under the dashboard:

[Aditya]

The Tata Nano was always a great car for urban use. With its small dimensions and tight turning circle, it could fit into the tightest of parking spots and was easy to punt around town. However, it had one problem when it came to driveability - a heavy steering @ low speed. This meant that the Nano required quite an effort to steer while parking and crawling in bumper to bumper traffic. With the introduction of the Twist, Tata Motors has addressed this flaw. The Electric Power Steering (EPS) system of the Nano Twist is developed by ZF Lenksysteme. It has a brushless motor and features an active return function.

Mechanically, the Twist is identical to the 2012 Nano. The engine, gearbox, brakes and suspension are carried over from the older car:


In a tight, low speed, zig-zag course the Twist feels chuckable, sure-footed and eager to change direction instantly. The steering is light and direct...exactly what is needed to tackle such a course with confidence. While taking U-turns, the active return function reduces the effort required to re-center the wheel. These qualities will come in handy when driving the car through congested city streets, which is where the Nano is likely to spend most of its life.


It's the addition of the power steering that makes the Nano easier & more fun to drive than before. In a straight line, as you build up speed, the steering weighs up rather well too. The assistance from the power steering motor cuts off beyond 80 km/h, giving you sufficient feel. On long, fast curves, it was not over-sensitive or twitchy.


Parking is where the EPS absolutely shines. It is very light and can be turned with just a finger, even while the car is standing still. This has made parking the Nano a breeze.


Parallel or angular parking manoeuvres are pulled off effortlessly.



The Twist may be Rs. 13,000 more expensive than the (non-PS) LX variant, yet it is certainly worth the extra cost.

[ecosport rules]

Hi Aditya ,
Thats a nicely written review inspite of the fact that the car offers only few upgrades.
I drive the 2012 nano and was absolutely dissatisfied, hope there is improvement in this one.

The pedal arrangement seems to be better now
I failed to understand why should somebody buy a nano and not go for a preworshipped Maruthi Alto instead

[100kmph]

Thanks for the nice review of the cute little car. The in built music system can shame cars from two segment higher in features. BTW what is the sport and eco mode in the MID? Looks interesting. Has Tata beefed up insulation in the car? For the price this car is a gem.

[gops2009]

Thanks for the update on Nano Aditya, any observations on improvements in the fit and finish?
?? With Tata trying hard to find a new positioning for the Nano and having people see it as the car of the Gen X, these changes were the basic minimum that was necessary.

Also any comments on the improvement in the clutch, which IMO was very jumpy and really needed getting used to.

Hope this works well for the Nano- to me this car has represents collective Indian pride for our capabilities to innovate and frugally engineer, a car which made the world sit up to the paradigm shift of what it took to build a car

[girishglg]

Wow such a quick review of the brand new update of the cute car. One thing that must be said is that Tata has been hearing its customers feedback closely.

Look at the reworked clutch movements and the placement of the front power windows behind the gear. All this with the newly added power steering should make it a great alternative in the entry level car segment.

Also talking about the comparison, happened to visit the Nano Twist website and saw it now compared with the Alto800 and the Eon. Must say this is a big twist for the lil car and hopefully will draw customers from those two competing models as well in big numbers in the future.

All the Best - Twist!

Courtsey - Nano official website-

http://www.tatanano.com/tata-nano-tw...-alto-800.html
http://www.tatanano.com/tata-nano-tw...undai-eon.html

[Aditya]

Originally Posted by 100kmph

BTW what is the sport and eco mode in the MID? Looks interesting. Has Tata beefed up insulation in the car?

There was no eco or sport mode on the test car. But as the indicators have been provided, I am tempted to believe that sometime in the future, the features will come to the Nano.
I did not find any difference in the insulation.

Originally Posted by gops2009

any observations on improvements in the fit and finish?

Also any comments on the improvement in the clutch, which IMO was very jumpy and really needed getting used to.

The fit and finish has remained the same. As for the clutch, it's certainly not the smoothest I've experienced. But, it is better than before, in both, operation as well as placement.

[selfdrive]

Great review Aditya. It is interesting to see the purple Nano look smaller when parked in between two white ones. Maybe it is parked a little behind?
I did not see any pictures of the open hatch. Or am I missing something and it can still only be opened from the inside as before?!
Any changes in NVH, perhaps extra damping on the doors has been added?

As for the Nano, I do not understand why Tata keeps bringing V2s of every car. Why can they not just anticipate demand or finalise positioning or just bring in different versions at the first launch itself?
It does nothing for its resale value or maintaining existing customer base.

What are they working on next, an auto tranny or a diesel Nano or both? Have they exhausted the colour palette for updates yet?!

[condor]

@Aditya - nice review there. Was the review kept concise to match the compactness of the car & the new ease-of-steering ?

I liked the glove-box & the front speaker covers.

From the looks of it, I think the hinge of the cover for the power socket will break very soon.


I just wish that TML gives the Nano a completely new, jazzy, hep look. The current looks is what keeps me away from considering one (not that I am looking at a second car at this time )

[girishglg]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

Great review Aditya. It is interesting to see the purple Nano look smaller when parked in between two white ones. Maybe it is parked a little behind?
I did not see any pictures of the open hatch. Or am I missing something and it can still only be opened from the inside as before?!

Nice observation on the cars parked beside each other. Surely its the visual effect that makes the purple look smaller than the whites, besides probably parked a little behind them.

On the openable boot, this variant does not have them as yet and hope they come up with that version whenever they launch the more powerful petrol Nano (800cc?) and the diesel ( will it come?) since it would represent a complete car in every respect and more powerful ones too.

[GrammarNazi]

Thanks for the review Aditya.

The Nano is a nice little car and people should learn ALL its qualities including its financial viability. Its one of the smartest financial solutions to easy city (& highway) travel.

IMO Its was partly a half hearted effort by the company and partly because of the immaturity of society that didn't let it click. Anyway.

When the 2013 Nano came out, what surprised me most was its music system. It sounded quite brilliant actually, partly because of its interior dimensions, partly because the system was actually nice. Apart from that, the build quality was improved quite a bit compared to my '10 Nano. The car definitely felt much more refined.

The repositioning of the power window switches was begging to happen, the initial positioning was a disaster in ergonomics.

Pity the glovebox just KILLS the utility space that the dashboard provided, its barely sufficient to keep basic knick-knacks . They should've changed it to free up space. Maybe they just had extra stock of dash-lids in the factory, and lol theres anyway always a new version with a new fruity colour every year.

The new instrument cluster is a BIG improvement, and to add to the fact that it doesn't come at a premium speaks of TATA's trademark VFM factor.

Whats with the Eco & Sport Mode? I'm guessing next year they'll launch Nano Plus, and the year after will be the Nano 'Qwik'?

Overall, got to give it to them that they ARE listening to people and repositioning the car. Anyway, looking forward to seeing how the New Nano 2014 twists the market with its Twist.

EDIT : IMO, apart from the "Image" factor, Nano is a no-brainer for a tiny-city-car demand.

[Bluestallion]

Went and checked out the "New NANO Awesome" today at KHT motors and Prerna Motors. They are offering 20k and 10k cash discounts respectively and also a 4k corporate discount for my company. Salesperson was very eager to dispose off the current stock with the observation that the New Twist may not get any discounts. Looks like they are struggling with this car.
Read reviews on many forums and servicing issues and spare parts issues seem to be the maximum with this car. Personally I find it a pretty good package - what with Bluetooth, USB, power steering, Digital cluster already in the car. For all we know, next version may have ABS, ACC, Airbags and Steering mounted controls too. The point is, the price of the car has been consistently increasing. What was supposed to be a 1 lakh car is already 2.8 lakhs on road in BLR. If they add more features, it will graze the prices of other low end cars and then Nano may get lost in the crowd - after all, the quality of material in the other cars is a touch higher. I think TATA has lost it in terms of market segmentation as far as Nano is concerned. They simply don't know where to position it.