Tata Nano

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Tata Nano

Manufacturer Tata Motors

Also called The People's Car

Production 2008–present

Assembly Pantnagar, Uttarkhand, India [1]

Charodi, Gujarat, India (since June 2010)[2]

Class City car

Body style(s) 4-door

Layout RR layout

Engine(s) 2 cylinder SOHC petrol Boschmulti-point fuel injection (singleinjector)

all aluminium 624 cc(38 cu in)

Transmission(s) 4 speed synchromesh withoverdrive in 4th

Wheelbase 2,230 mm (87.8 in)[3]

Length 3,099 mm (122.0 in)[3]

Width 1,495 mm (58.9 in)[3]

Height 1,652 mm (65.0 in)[3]

Kerb weight 600 kg (1,300 lb)–635 kg (1,400 lb)[3]

 Designer Girish Wagh, Justin Norek of Trilix, Pierre Castinel[4]

Tata Nano is a rear-engined, four-passenger city car built by Tata Motors, aimed primarily at the Indian market. It is

the cheapest car in the world today.[5]

It debuted in late 2008 at the 9th annual Auto Expo at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, India,[6] and started to be

delivered to customers in July, 2009.[7]

In 2008 the Financial Times reported: "if ever there were a symbol of India’s ambitions to become a modern nation, it

would surely be the Nano, the tiny car with the even tinier price-tag. A triumph of homegrown engineering, the $2,200

(€1,490, £1,186) Nano encapsulates the dream of millions of Indians groping for a shot at urban prosperity."[8]

Nano is the SI prefix for one-billionth, and the word is used colloquially to mean "very small".[9]

Contents

[hide]

• 1 History

○ 1.1 Expectations

○ 1.2 Singur factory pullout

○ 1.3 Design

 1.3.1 Cost cutting

features

• 2 Price

• 3 Model versions

○ 3.1 Europa

• 4 Technical specifications

• 5 Alternative-energy engines

○ 5.1 Compressed-air engine

○ 5.2 Diesel

○ 5.3 Electric vehicle

• 6 Effects

○ 6.1 Pollution increase

○ 6.2 Indian used car market

 • 7 Awards

• 8 Issues

• 9 See also

• 10 References

• 11 External links

[edit]History

The introduction of the Nano received much media attention due to its low price.[10][11]

[edit]Expectations

Many have had great expectations for the Nano,[12] some perhaps going a bit too far. One study, by Indian rating

agency CRISIL, thought the Nano would expand the nation's car market by 65%.[13]

[edit]Singur factory pullout

Main article: Tata Nano Singur controversy

Tata Motors announced in 2006 that the Nano would be manufactured in Singur, West Bengal. Local farmers soon

began protesting the forced acquisition of their land for the new factory,[14] and there was widespread violence

when police and farmers clashed in December, 2006. As the protests continued through 2007 and 2008[15][16][17] Tata

first delayed the Nano launch[17] and later decided to build the car at a different location in Gujarat, instead.[18][2]

[edit]Design

A Tata Nano in silver.

Seeing an opportunity in the great number of Indian families with two-wheeled rather than four-wheeled vehicles,
[19]
Tata Motors began development of an affordable "one-lakh car" in 2003.[15] The purchase price of this no frills auto

was brought down by dispensing with most nonessential features, reducing the amount of steel used in its

construction, and relying on cheap Indian labor.[20]

The Nano's development was foreshadowed by the 2005 success of the low-cost, 4-wheeled Tata Ace truck.[15]

The car's exterior was designed at Italy's Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering.[15]

[edit]Cost cutting features

The Nano's design is chock-full of cost-reducing innovations.

  The Nano's trunk is only accessible from inside the car, as the rear hatch does not

open.[21][22][23]

 One windscreen wiper instead of the usual pair[10]

 No power steering, unnecessary due to its light weight[10]

 Three lug nuts on the wheels instead of the usual four[24]

 Only one wing mirror[10]

 No radio or CD player[10]

 Air conditioning not included[10]

 No airbags[10]

 623cc engine has only 2 cylinders[10]

[edit]Price

Wikinews has related

news:World's least cost car

launched in India, will go

on sale in April

Announcing the vehicle as the least expensive production car in the world;[25] Tata aimed for a starting price of

one lakh, or 100,000, rupees. This was approximately US$2000 at the time.[26][27]

Rapidly rising material prices[28] (up 13% to 23% over the car’s development time[29]) caused the car to be priced

somewhat higher than Rs 100,000.[30]

[edit]Model versions

Tata Nano Europa

At its launch the Nano was available in trim levels:[30]

 the basic Std priced at 123,000 Rupees has no extras;

 the deluxe Cx at 151,000 Rupees has air conditioning;

 the luxury Lx at 172,000 Rupees has air conditioning and power windows

[edit]Europa

This export version of the Nano was first shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.[31] Heavily modified to meet EU

safety and emission standards,[citation needed] the car will have a number of improvements over the standard Nano,
including an extended wheelbase, a new 3-cylinder engine, power steering, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and an

improved interior and exterior.[31] The Nano Europa will be more expensive, heavier, and less fuel efficient than the

standard Nano with prices said to be around US$6000.[32]

[edit]Technical specifications

The Nano is a 35 PS (26 kW; 35 hp) car with a two-cylinder 624 cc rear engine.

The car complies with Indian emission standards and can also meet European emission standards as well.[21][33]

Engine: 2 cylinder petrol with Bosch multi-point fuel

injection(single injector)
all aluminium 33 horsepower (25 kW)
624 cc (38 cu in)

Value Motronic engine management

platform fromBosch

2 valves per cylinder overhead camshaft

Compression ratio: 9.5:1

bore × stroke: 73.5 mm (2.9 in) × 73.5 mm (2.9 in)

Power: 35 PS (26 kW; 35 hp) @ 5250 rpm[3]

Torque: 48 N·m (35 ft·lbf) @ 3000 +/-500 rpm[3]

Layout and Rear wheel drive

Transmission

4-speed manual transmission

Steering mechanical rack and pinion w/o servo

Turning radius: 4 metres[3]

Performance Acceleration: 0-60 km/h (37 mph): 8 seconds[3]

 Maximum speed: 105 km/h (65 mph)[3]

Fuel efficiency (overall): 23.6 kilometres per litre

(4.24 litres per 100 kilometres (66.6 mpg-imp;
55.5 mpg-US))[3]

Body and Seat belt: 4[34]

dimensions

Trunk capacity: 150 L (5.3 cu ft)[35]

Suspension, Front brake: 180 mm drum[3]

Tires & Brakes

Rear brake: 180 mm drum[3]

Front track: 1,325 mm (52.2 in)[3]

Rear track: 1,315 mm (51.8 in)[3]

Ground clearance: 180 mm (7.1 in)[3]

Front suspension: McPherson strut with lower A arm

Rear suspension: Independent coil spring

12-inch wheels[36]

Supplier [37] Part/system [37]

Texspin Clutch Bearings

Oxygen sensor, Gasoline injection system (diesel

Bosch
will follow), starter, alternator, brake system
Continental AG Gasoline fuel supply system, fuel level sensor

Caparo Inner structural panels

HSI AUTO Static sealing systems (Weather Strips)

Delphi Instrument cluster

Denso Windshield wiper system (single motor and arm)

FAG Kugelfischer Rear-wheel bearing

Pistons, Piston rings, Spark plugs, Gaskets, Systems

Federal-Mogul
protection

Rear-view mirrors, interior mirrors, manual and

Ficosa
CVT shifters, washer system

Freudenberg Engine sealing

GKN Driveshafts

INA Shifting elements

ITW Deltar Outside and inside door handles

Johnson Controls Seating

Camshafts, spin-on oil filters, fuel filters and air

Mahle
cleaners

Saint-Gobain Glass

TRW Brake system

 Ceekay
Clutch sets
Daikin/Valeo

Vibracoustic Engine mounts

Visteon Air induction system

ZF Friedrichshafen
Chassis components, including tie rods
AG

Behr HVAC for the luxury version

Dürr Lean Paint Shop

[edit]Alternative-energy engines

While the Nano is a driven by a gasoline-powered engine, several more radical powerplants have been proposed but

not put into production.

[edit]Compressed-air engine

Tata Motors signed an agreement in 2007 with a French firm, Motor Development International, to produce

a compressed air car Nano.[38] While the vehicle was supposed to be able to travel approximately 200 kilometres (120

mi) on US$3 of electricity to compress the air,[39][40] Tata's Vice President of Engineering Systems confirmed in late

2009 that vehicle range continues to be a problem.[38]

[edit]Diesel

A website has speculated that the Nano might be made available with a 690 cc diesel engine by September, 2010.
[41]
Tata motors have not confirmed this but have stated, "as of now the diesel variant is not offered. [The Nano] will be

offered only in petrol now."[42]

[edit]Electric vehicle
Tata has discussed the possibility of selling an electric version,[43][44] and while it showcased an electric vehicle Nano

at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show,[45] no such car is currently on the market.

If an EV Nano is sold it's expected to be the "world's cheapest electric car",[46][47] use lithium-ion batteries, and have a

range of 80 miles (130 km).[48] A Norwegian electric car specialist, Miljøbil Grenland AS, has been named as a

supposed partner in the project.[43]

[edit]Effects

The introduction of a cheap, mass market auto such as the Nano is bound to have some unforeseen effects.

[edit]Pollution increase

As the Nano was designed for a population currently using eco-friendly bicycles and motorcycles, environmentalists

are concerned of the increase in pollution that would follow a mass motorization in developing countries such as

India.[10][21][20]

The Nano has far lower emissions compared with developed country autos, however.[10]

[edit]Indian used car market

The Nano is thought to have affected the used car market in India, as many Indians may opt to buy a Nano rather

than a used vehicle. The new-car market is also being affected. Sales of new Maruti 800s, the second-cheapest car

in India, dropped by 20% and used models by 30% prior to the Nano's introduction.[49]

[edit]Awards

 2010 Business Standard Motoring Indian car of the year[50]

 2010 Bloomberg UTV-Autocar car of the year[51]

 2010 Edison Awards, first place in the transportation category[52]

[edit]Issues

As of Friday, Aug 27, 2010, six Nanos have caught fire across India; Tata is investigating.[53]

[edit]See also

Wikimedia Commons has

media related to: Tata Nano

 City car

 Kei car

[edit]References
1. ^ "Nano diesel variant likely to have 750 cc engine". dnaindia.com. 2010-01-14.

Retrieved 2010-02-22.

2. ^ a b World's cheapest car rolls out of India[dead link] theage.drive.com.au, June 3, 2010

3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Official specifications for Tata Nano". Tata Motors.

4. ^ "Specifications of Tata's Nano". cardesignnew.

5. ^ "Tata Nano set to drive into Taiwan". The Economic Times. 2010-06-03.

6. ^ Mohanty, Mrituinjoy (2008-01-10). "Why criticising the 1-Lakh car is wrong". Rediff

News. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

7. ^ "Tata Motors delivers first Tata Nano in the country in Mumbai". Tata Motors press

release. 2009-07-17. Retrieved 2009-10-14.

8. ^ "/ Columnists / David Pilling — India hits bottleneck on way to prosperity". Ft.com.

2008-09-24. Retrieved 2009-06-08.

9. ^ "Nano — Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Merriam-

webster.com. 2007-04-25. Retrieved 2009-07-17.

10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Der Spiegel Online: India Delivers World's Cheapest Car spiegel.de,
01/11/2008

11. ^ "The world's cheapest car arrives tomorrow — MSN Money".

Articles.moneycentral.msn.com. Extra1/10/2008 9:30 AM ET. Retrieved 2009-06-08.

12. ^ "National : Europe awaiting Nano car’s electric version". The Hindu. 2008-09-14.
Retrieved 2009-06-08.

13. ^ "Tata Nano may expand market by 65%: CRISIL- Automobiles-Auto-News By

Industry-News-The Economic Times". Economictimes.indiatimes.com. 2008-01-12.

Retrieved 2009-06-08.

14. ^ Villagers raise slogans against car company hindu.com, Friday, May 26, 2006

15. ^ a b c d "The Next People's Car". Yahoo Finance. 2007-04-17. Retrieved 2008-01-11.

16. ^ Villagers, cops clash at Tata's Singur plant sify.com, 2008-06-27

17. ^ a b Rain, political unrest delay Tatas' dream car rediff.com, August 03, 2007 03:04 IST

18. ^ It's final: Tata Motors to pull out of Singur NDTV, Friday, October 03, 2008

19. ^ "1 lakh car drives 1 billion dreams". Indian Express. 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-01-
15.
20. ^ a b Tata Nano - world's cheapest new car is unveiled in India timesonline.co.uk,
January 11, 2008

21. ^ a b c "How Green is a Mini?". Newsweek.com. January 10, 2008. Retrieved 2010-06-
05.

22. ^ Steve Cropley. "Tata Nano driven — first drive". Autocar. Retrieved 2009-03-24. "2
minutes in video shows trunk space"

23. ^ Nano: Triumph of Indian ingenuity bbc.co.uk, 15:10 GMT, Monday, 23 March 2009

24. ^ Tata Nano - Nano second to none! bsmotoring.com, April 12, 2009

25. ^ Oconnor, Ashling (2008-01-11). "Tata Nano — world's cheapest new car is unveiled
in India". driving.timesonline.co.uk (London).

26. ^ "First Look: Ratan Tata unveils Nano". IBN. 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

27. ^ "Tata unveils Nano, its $2,500 car". MSN. 10 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-11.

28. ^ "Materials prices could push up cost of Tata’s Nano". Motor Authority, 7 July 2008.

29. ^ Nelson Ireson (2008-08-05). "Rising costs could eat Tata Nano’s profits". Motor
Authority, Tuesday 5 August 2008.

30. ^ a b "Tata Nano". cardekho.com. Retrieved 2009-03-24.

31. ^ a b Tata unveils a Nano for Europe autonews.com, March 4, 2009 06:01 CET

32. ^ "Tata Nano Europa &raquo Australian Car Advice | News Blog". Caradvice.com.au.
2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-06-08.

33. ^ "Ratan Tata unveils Rs 1-lakh 'Nano'". expressindia.com. Jan 10, 2008 at 0000 hrs
IST. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

34. ^ Ruth David (January 10, 2008). "Tata Unveils The Nano, Its $2,500
Car". Forbes.com.

35. ^ "Nano Mania". Autocar India. February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-05.[dead link]

36. ^ "India's £1,250 car". autoexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-01-14.

37. ^ a b "India’s Tata low-cost Nano took a lot of high-tech". ae-plus.

38. ^ a b TaMo’s ambitious ‘Air Car’ faces starting trouble dnaindia.com, Nov 25, 2009, 2:34
IST

39. ^ "Tata Nano To Offer Compressed Air Engine Optional, Make Electric Cars Look
Silly". Jalopnik.com. 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
 40. ^ Hall, Kenneth (2008-07-10). "Tata Nano could come with optional air-powered
engine". MotorAuthority. Retrieved 2010-08-29.

41. ^ "Tata Nano Diesel version roll out by September 2009". 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2009-
03-24.

42. ^ "Tata Motors - FAQ for the Nano". Tata Motors.

43. ^ a b "Tata plans E-Nano, electric version of Rs1-lakh car". domain-b.com. 2008-08-20.
Retrieved 2009-06-08.

44. ^ Tata planning electric-drive version of Nano hindustantimes.com, August 20, 2008

45. ^ World's cheapest EV: Tata Nano electrifies Geneva show - Drive On: A conversation
about the cars and trucks we drive - USATODAY.com

46. ^ "The Tata Nano: World's Cheapest (Electric) Car? | EcoGeek — Clean Technology".
EcoGeek. 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2009-06-08.

47. ^ "Let Tata's Nano be electric". Merinews.com. Retrieved 2009-06-08.

48. ^ "World's cheapest EV: Tata Nano electrifies Geneva show - Drive On: A conversation
about the cars and trucks we drive - USATODAY.com". Content.usatoday.com. 2010-

03-04. Retrieved 2010-08-29.

49. ^ "Nanomania overwhelms Indian car market". Autocar.co.uk. 2008-02-07. Retrieved

2008-02-10.

50. ^ BS Motoring Jury Award 2010: Tata Nano business-standard.com, December 26,
2009, 0:21 IST

51. ^ fe Bureaus (Monday, Jan 18, 2010 at 2317 hrs IST). "Nano, Pulsar among winners of
Bloomberg UTV-Autocar awards". Financialexpress.com. Retrieved 2010-02-22.

52. ^ Edison Awards 2010 honoring innovation in the development and launch of new
products and services

53. ^ Another Nano catches fire; Tata Motors says will investigate dnaindia.com, Friday,
Aug 27, 2010, 20:44 IST

[edit]External links

 Tata Nano - Official product page

[show]
v•d•e
Tata Motors

[show]
 v•d•e
Tata road car timeline, Indian market, 1990s–present

Categories: 2000s automobiles | City cars | Kei cars | Sedans | Rear wheel drive vehicles | Rear-engined

vehicles | Tata vehicles | Vehicles introduced in 2008 | Electric vehicles | Tata Motors

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