TATA'S NEW CAR in 2011

TATA'S NEW CAR in 2011

With spiralling fuel prices it is about time we heard some breakthrough!
India's largest automaker Tata Motors is set to start producing the world's first commercial air-powered vehicle.The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air, as opposed to the gas-and-oxygen explosions of internal-combustion models, to push its engine's pistons. Some 6000 zero-emissions Air Cars are scheduled to hit Indian streets by August
The Air Car, called the MiniCAT could cost around Rs. 3,50,000 ($ 8177) in India and would have a range of around 300 km between refuels.
The cost of a refill would be about Rs. 85 ($ 2).
The MiniCAT which is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis that is glued not welded and a body of fiberglass powered by compressed air. Microcontrollers are used in every device in the car, so one tiny radio transmitter sends instructions to the lights, indicators etc.There are no keys - just an access card which can be read by the car from your pocket. According to the designers, it costs less than 50 rupees per 100Km (about a tenth that of a petrol car). Its mileage is about double that of the most advanced electric car (200 to 300 km or 10 hours of driving), a factor which makes a perfect choice in cities where the 80% of motorists drive at less than 60Km. The car has a top speed of 105 kmph. Refilling the car will, once the market develops, take place at adapted petrol stations to administer compressed air. In two or three minutes, and at a cost of approximately 100 rupees, the car will be ready to go another 200-300 kilometers. 

As a viable alternative, the car carries a small compressor which can be connected to the mains (220V or 380V) and refill the tank in 3-4 hours. Due to the absence of combustion and, consequently, of residues, changing the oil.
(1 liter of vegetable oil) is necessary only every 50,000 Km).

Tata Nano – Nano Car

Tata Nano – Nano Car

Tata Nano – Nano Car interiors

Tata Nano – Nano Car interiors

Nano Car Yellow

Nano Car Yellow

Nano Car Red

Nano Car

nano car picture

Tata Nano – World’s Cheapest Car

During the Golden Week holidays this month I went to Mumbai, India on a business trip.  It was very hot in India as it was the peak of Indian summer.  However, I am happy that I survived the Indian summer for one week.

During this trip to India, I had a chance to  touch and feel the world’s lowest priced passenger car – The Nano made by Tata Car company of India.   In fact this car was launched just 2 years ago targeting the Indian small car market.  The Nano is a tiny car with the even tinier price-tag.  It retails in India for Rs. 100,000 (US$2,200) and is an economic choice to fit a family of four comfortably.

Tata Nano

The Nano was the result of the vision of Mr. Ratan Tata, the Chairman of the Tata Motors.  When Mr.Tata envisioned this eco-friendly, people’s car with a price tag of just around US$2,200, most automakers around the world scoffed at him.  Japanese car makers like  Suzuki who had a big presence in Indian car market mocked at Tata saying that it was impossible to make a reliable car for Rs 100,000.  However, when the Nano was finally launched, car makers in Detroit and Japan took a serious note of it.   Even car makers like Ford admitted that the Nano is a groundbreaking product, and it will cause people to think differently about making small cars.

There are a number of features that make the Nano unique and affordable.  The car is 10 feet long, 5 feet wide – about 8% smaller bumper to bumper, than the Maruti 800 (Indian version of Suzuki Alto),  but nevertheless it has 20 % larger interior space and can sit four people comfortably.  The Nano gets 20 km/ liter in city and 26 km/ liter on highways, making it the most fuel efficient car in India.  It has a four-speed manual gearshift, and 30-liter fuel tank. The car is equipped with air conditioner, but does not have power steering.

Though the Tata Nano has a price tag of just around $2,200, it has a steel frame, sheet metal body and safety glass like most other expensive cars.  It has a rear mounted 624 CC engine and the emissions exceed regulatory requirements.

I was happy to see the cheapest car in the world. I liked the design of the car. For sure, it looks quite Jazzy.  However, I am not sure about the safety of the vehicle.  I felt the steel sheet was little thinner than that of most other small cars.  Before Tata starts exporting Nano to other countries, they would have to meet the European and American safety standards.

International car makers are now getting ready to compete with Tata Nano in the ultra cheap small car market.  Nissan and Renault has teamed up with Indian auto maker Bajaj with a plan to make a  common people’s car that will cost $2500 in India.  Nissan and Bajaj aim to provide a fuel economy of 30 km/liter compared to 23 km/liter provided by Tatas Nano. This would surely create a fierce competition in the small car segment.