Tata Nano
Tata Nano | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Tata Motors |
Also called | The People's Car |
Production | 2008–present |
Assembly | Pantnagar, Uttarkhand, India [1] Charodi, Gujarat, India (since June 2010)[2] |
Designer | Girish Wagh, Justin Norek of Trilix, Pierre Castinel[3] |
Body and chassis | |
Class | City car |
Body style | 4-door |
Layout | RR layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2 cylinder SOHC petrol Bosch multi-point fuel injection (single injector) all aluminium 624 cc (38 cu in) |
Transmission | 4 speed synchromesh with overdrive in 4th |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,230 mm (87.8 in)[4] |
Length | 3,099 mm (122.0 in)[4] |
Width | 1,495 mm (58.9 in)[4] |
Height | 1,652 mm (65.0 in)[4] |
Kerb weight | 600 kg (1,300 lb)–635 kg (1,400 lb)[4] |
The Tata Nano is an inexpensive, rear-engined, four-passenger city car built by the Indian company Tata Motors and is aimed primarily at the Indian domestic market.
Tata Motors began selling its "one-lakh car" in March, 2009.[5] The cheapest car in the world today,[6] though the price continues to rise[7] due to increasing material costs,[8] it is an exemplary example of Gandhian engineering, a concept involving deep frugality and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.[9]
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."[10] "Homegrown engineering" is a relative term here as much of the systems and parts used in the Nano may not have been developed or produced in India.[11]
While the car has sold over 200K units, disappointing November, 2010, sales figures have made some rethink current opinion that selling no frills products to the poor will be a winning strategy in the future.[7]
The nickname, "one-lakh car" is due to the Nano's low price point, near ₹100,000 (one lakh rupees).
History
Seeing an opportunity in the great number of Indian families with two-wheeled rather than four-wheeled vehicles,[7][12] Tata Motors began development of an affordable car in 2003.[13] 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 low-cost Indian labor.[14]
The introduction of the Nano received much media attention due to its low price.[15][16]
The Nano's development was foreshadowed by the 2005 success of the affordable, 4-wheeled Tata Ace truck.[13]
Expectations
Many have had great expectations for this small car,[17] 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%.[18]
Singur factory pullout
Tata Motors announced in 2006,[citation needed] that the Nano would be manufactured in Singur, West Bengal[19], helped in part by a forced acquisition and reuse of farmland by the West Bengal state government[19] to entice Tata to build there.[19] Local farmers soon began protesting the forced acquisition of their land for the new factory.[20] As the protests continued through 2007 and 2008,[13][21][22] Tata first delayed the Nano launch[22] and later decided to build the car at a different location in Gujarat, instead.[2]
Design
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/Tata_Nano_.jpg/250px-Tata_Nano_.jpg)
The car's exterior was designed at Italy's Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering.[13]
Cost cutting features
The Nano's design implements many cost-reducing innovations.
- The Nano's trunk is only accessible from inside the car, as the rear hatch does not open.[23][24][25]
- One windscreen wiper instead of the usual pair[15][26]
- No power steering, unnecessary due to its light weight[15]
- Three lug nuts on the wheels instead of the usual four[26]
- Only one wing mirror[15]
- No radio or CD player[15]
- No airbags[15]
- 623cc engine has only 2 cylinders[15]
Price
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Wikinews-logo.svg/40px-Wikinews-logo.svg.png)
Announcing the vehicle as the least expensive production car in the world,[27] Tata aimed for a starting price of one lakh, or 100,000, rupees. This was approximately US$2000 at the time.[28][29] As of December, 2010, the cheapest Nano costs around US$2900.[7]
Rapidly rising material prices[8] (up 13% to 23% over the car’s development time[30]) caused the car to be priced somewhat higher than ₹1 lakh (US$1,198.20).[31]
In late October 2010, Reuters reported that prices of the car will be raised by an average of 9,000 rupees (US$202) from November because of rising material costs.[32]
Model versions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Nano_Tata.jpg/240px-Nano_Tata.jpg)
At its launch the Nano was available in three trim levels:[31]
- the basic Std priced at ₹142,000 (US$1,701.40) has no extras
- the deluxe Cx at ₹171,000 (US$2,048.90) has air conditioning
- the luxury Lx at ₹195,000 (US$2,336.50) has air conditioning and power windows
Europa
This export version of the Nano was first shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show[33] but has yet to go on sale.[citation needed] Heavily upgraded 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.[33] The Nano Europa will be more expensive, heavier, and less fuel efficient than the standard Nano with prices said to be around US$6000.[34]
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.[23][35]
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 from Bosch | |
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[4] | |
Torque: 48 N⋅m (35 ft⋅lbf) @ 3000 +/-500 rpm[4] | |
Layout and Transmission | Rear wheel drive |
4-speed manual transmission | |
Steering | mechanical rack and pinion w/o servo |
Turning radius: 4 metres[4] | |
Performance | Acceleration: 0-60 km/h (37 mph): 8 seconds[4] |
Maximum speed: 105 km/h (65 mph)[4] | |
Fuel efficiency (overall): 23.6 kilometres per litre (4.24 litres per 100 kilometres (66.6 mpg‑imp; 55.5 mpg‑US))[4] | |
Body and dimensions | Seat belt: 4[36] |
Trunk capacity: 150 L (5.3 cu ft)[37] | |
Suspension, Tires & Brakes | Front brake: 180 mm drum[4] |
Rear brake: 180 mm drum[4] | |
Front track: 1,325 mm (52.2 in)[4] | |
Rear track: 1,315 mm (51.8 in)[4] | |
Ground clearance: 180 mm (7.1 in)[4] | |
Front suspension: McPherson strut with lower A arm | |
Rear suspension: Independent coil spring | |
12-inch wheels[38] |
Supplier [39] | Part/system [39] |
---|---|
Texspin | Clutch Bearings |
Bosch | Oxygen sensor, Gasoline injection system (diesel 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 |
Federal-Mogul | Pistons, Piston rings, Spark plugs, Gaskets, Systems protection |
Ficosa | Rear-view mirrors, interior mirrors, manual and CVT shifters, washer system |
Freudenberg | Engine sealing |
GKN | Driveshafts |
INA | Shifting elements |
ITW Deltar | Outside and inside door handles |
Johnson Controls | Seating |
Mahle | Camshafts, spin-on oil filters, fuel filters and air cleaners |
Saint-Gobain | Glass |
TRW | Brake system |
Ceekay Daikin/Valeo | Clutch sets |
Vibracoustic | Engine mounts |
Visteon | Air induction system |
ZF Friedrichshafen AG | Chassis components, including tie rods |
Behr | HVAC for the luxury version |
Dürr | Lean Paint Shop |
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.
Compressed-air engine
Tata Motors signed an agreement in 2007 with a French firm, Motor Development International, to produce a compressed air car Nano.[40] While the vehicle was supposed to be able to travel approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) on US$3 of electricity to compress the air,[41][42] Tata's Vice President of Engineering Systems confirmed in late 2009 that vehicle range continues to be a problem.[40]
Diesel
A website has speculated that the Nano might be made available with a diesel engine.[43] Tata motors have not confirmed this but have stated, "As of now there is no Diesel variant of the Nano. The Nano is only available in a Petrol version."[44]
Electric vehicle
Tata has discussed the possibility of producing an electric version,[45][46] and while it showcased an electric vehicle Nano at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show,[47] 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",[48][49] use lithium-ion batteries, and have a range of 80 miles (130 km).[50] A Norwegian electric car specialist, Miljøbil Grenland AS, has been named as a supposed partner in the project.[45]
Safety concern
A small number of fire incidents involving the Nano were reported.[7] This led Tata to add safety devices to the vehicle,[7] although no recall was initiated and according to Tata, the car is safe.[7]
Effects
The introduction of a cheap, mass market auto such as the Nano is bound to have some unforeseen effects.
Safer Travel
Nano is safer than the currently used two-wheelers, especially during monsoon, when heavy rains can make traveling difficult on two-wheelers due to wet roads.
Pollution increase
As the Nano was designed for a population currently using eco-friendly bicycles and motorcycles,[7] environmentalists are concerned by the increase in pollution that would follow a mass motorization in developing countries such as India.[14][15][23]
The Nano has far lower emissions compared with developed country autos, however.[15]
Indian used car market
The Nano is thought to have affected the used car market in India, as some 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% immediately prior to the Nano's introduction.[51]
Awards
- 2010 Business Standard Motoring Indian car of the year[52]
- 2010 Bloomberg UTV-Autocar car of the year[53]
- 2010 Edison Awards, first place in the transportation category[54]
- 2010 Good Design Awards, in the category of transportation [55]
In the media
- "Small Wonder: The Making of Nano", is a book on creation of Tata Nano.[56]
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
References
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- ^ a b It's final: Tata Motors to pull out of Singur NDTV, Friday, October 03, 2008
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- ^ "Tata Nano set to drive into Taiwan". The Economic Times. 2010-06-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g h http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/business/global/10tata.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 Tata’s Nano, the Car That Few Want to Buy] nytimes.com, December 9, 2010
- ^ Mashelkar, R.A. (2009), Breakthrough designs for ultra-low-cost products, Ted.com
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- ^ a b c d "The Next People's Car". Yahoo Finance. 2007-04-17. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ a b Tata Nano - world's cheapest new car is unveiled in India timesonline.co.uk, January 11, 2008
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Der Spiegel Online: India Delivers World's Cheapest Car spiegel.de, 01/11/2008
- ^ "The world's cheapest car arrives tomorrow — MSN Money". Articles.moneycentral.msn.com. Extra1/10/2008 9:30 AM ET. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
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(help) - ^ "National : Europe awaiting Nano car's electric version". The Hindu. 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c The Economist August 30, 2008 edition. U.S. Edition. "Nano wars". Page 63.
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- ^ Villagers, cops clash at Tata's Singur plant sify.com, 2008-06-27
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2 minutes in video shows trunk space
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- ^ Ami Shah (2010-10-29). "Tata Motors says raises Nano prices by 9,000 rupees". Reuters.
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- ^ "Tata Nano Europa » Australian Car Advice | News Blog". Caradvice.com.au. 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
- ^ "Ratan Tata unveils Rs 1-lakh 'Nano'". expressindia.com. Jan 10, 2008 at 0000 hrs IST. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
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(help) - ^ Ruth David (January 10, 2008). "Tata Unveils The Nano, Its $2,500 Car". Forbes.com.
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- ^ a b TaMo’s ambitious ‘Air Car’ faces starting trouble dnaindia.com, Nov 25, 2009, 2:34 IST
- ^ "Tata Nano To Offer Compressed Air Engine Optional, Make Electric Cars Look Silly". Jalopnik.com. 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
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- ^ "World's cheapest EV: Tata Nano electrifies Geneva show". USA Today. 2010-03-04.
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(help) - ^ "Edison Awards 2010 honoring innovation in the development and launch of new products and services". Edisonawards.com. 2010-04-02. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
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- ^ Ratan Tata didn’t want Nano stitched like shirt around button: Book dnaindia.com, Sunday, Oct 31, 2010, 13:36 IST