Team-BHP scoops the Tata Nano Diesel's front end

Tata Motors is developing a diesel variant of the Nano, with the car due for a launch sometime in 2014. Team-BHP has scooped the front end of the Nano Diesel. From the spyshot, it is clear that the Nano Diesel will feature a revised front end, with the bumper sporting an aggressive design. 

It remains to be seen if the new bumper design would be adopted to the petrol and the soon-to-be-launched CNG models of the Nano. Apart from the new bumper, the Nano Diesel's front end looks visually similar to the 2013 model of the car launched quite recently. The Nano Diesel also seems to carry over the dashboard and the seat design of the petrol powered model of the car. 

The Nano Diesel could also feature a revised rear bumper design, aimed at better heat dissipation. The other key change at the rear will involve the petrol engine being replaced by a turbo diesel unit, a motor that could turn out to be one of the smallest turbo diesel motors in a production car.  

Said to be derived from the Tata Ace DICOR mini pick up truck's 700cc diesel motor, the small capacity turbo diesel, common rail engine of the Nano is expected to deliver a high fuel efficiency figure. Fuel injection will be handled by Bosch while the turbocharger will be supplied by Garrett, now a part of the Honeywell group. 

Speculated power and torque figures of the Nano Diesel center around the 40 Bhp and 60 Nm marks respectively. Sales of the Tata Nano have been far from encouraging. Tata Motors needs a big volumes spinner for the Nano project to break even and the diesel powered version represents a big hope for the Indian car and utility vehicle maker. 

Talking volumes, Tata Motors has lined up another variant of the Nano for launch in the next month or so. The CNG-Petrol dual fuel version of the Nano, dubbed the Nano E-MAX will be launched soon. The CNG powered hatchback will come with running costs that are lower than the petrol variants, and the low running costs will be the unique selling proposition of the car. 

As of now, the Sanand factory from where the Tata Nano rolls out, is operating at less than 20% of its total installed capacity of 250,000 cars/annum. Tata Motors has plans of using the Sanand facility to build the Ace mini pick up truck and a new small car if the volumes of the Nano don't pick up from current levels, in the next year or so.