World's Cheapest Car

It happened that I bumped into this yahoo news about the world's cheapest car.  As I've researched for it, this Tata's Nano car is the most anticipated ultra cheap vehicle for modern day people and also called "The People's Car".  The Tata Nano is a low-cost, rear-engined, four-passenger city car built by the Indian company Tata Motors. Aimed primarily at the Indian domestic market, it is an exemplary example of Gandhian Engineering  , a concept involving deep frugality and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.  Tata Motors is the largest vehicle maker in India. The cheapest because the Tata Nano costs a little more of $2000 USD for the benifit of the Indian families who couldn't afford an automobile.

These photos here are the Nano gas powered version which is named as Nano Europa.  This was launched in Geneva Motor Show last year.  Tata Nano said that this euro spec will be available in the market by next year, 2011.  Changes have made to suit the European customers wherein the base includes a body that is 20 centimeters longer, with better suspension, and antilock brakes. The price of this will be a little bit higher because of the improvements and added features.

But this year's of Geneva Motor Show they displayed the EV (electric vehicle) type of Tata's Nano.  India's Tata Nano EV seats four, has a predicted range of about 80 miles and will go from zero to about 35 miles per hour in a blistering 10 seconds. The car has super-polymer lithium-ion batteries, which Tata says provide superior energy retention.  It will be available in the market on 2012.  Good thing about this electric vehicles, they are environment friendly. 

The base model of the Tata Nano available in India has no frills. With a 5-speed automatic transmission, Nano Europa will be powered by 3 cylinder sporty all-aluminum MPFI engine. The Tata Nano Europa continues to be small, but packs surprisingly spacious interiors with a length of 3.29 metres and width of 1.58 metres. Without compromising on maneuverability, its slightly longer wheelbase of 2.28 metres makes it a bit more spacious. 

Tata Nano Europa Details:

Name: Nano Europa

Car Body Type: Hatchback

Segment: A Segment

Top Speed: 105

0 to 60: 12.50

0 to 100: 0.00

Fuel Consumption: Highway 26.00 kmpl

Fuel Consumption: City 22.00 kmpl

Warranty: 2 Years

Tata Nano Europa Specifications:

Engine Technical:

• Displacement: 624CC, Petrol with Single Balancer Shaft
• Rear Mounted All Aluminum MPFI
• Maximum Torque: 4.8 kgm @ 3000 rpm
• No. of Cylinders: In-line 2 Cylinders
• Valve Gear: 2 Valves per cylinder, 4 valves in Total
• Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
• Power to weight ratio: 58.3 bhp/tonne
• Maximum Power: 35 bhp @ 5500 rpm
• Drivetrain: Rear mounted engine, rear wheel drive
• EMS (Electronic Engine Management System): 32 Bit Microprocessor with “blink code mechanism” for easy repairs

Safety:

• Fuel cut-off in case of collision
• Fuel Cut-off @ 5600 rpm in any gear or @ 105 kph
• Standard Tubeless Tyres

Wheels and Tyres:

• Rear Tyre Size: 155/65 T12 Tubeless
• Spare Tyre Size: 135/70 R12
• Front Tyre Size: 135/70 R12 Tubeless
• Wheel Size: 12″ inch
• Recommended Tyre Pressure: 26 PSi (Front), 28 PSi (Rear)

Performance:

• Top Speed: 105 (Limited)
• 0-60 kph – 8 Seconds (Est)

Transmission:

• Gearbox: Cable Operated, 4 Forward Gears, 1 Reverse, All forward gears synchronised

Gear Ratios:

• 1st: 3.45 (Recommended Shift @ upto 10 kmph)
• 2nd: 1.95 (Recommended Shift between 20-30 kmph)
• 3rd: 1.26 (Recommended Shift between 30-50 kmph)
• 4th: 0.838 (Recommended Shift between 50-70 kmph)
• Reverse: 3.08

Suspension:

• Rear: Semi Trailing Arm. coil spring with gas filled shock absorbers
• Front: Independent McPherson Struts shock absorbers

Brakes:

• Rear: 180 mm Drums
• Front: 180mm Drums

Dimensions and Weight:

• Height: 1620 mm
• Length: 3099 mm
• Width: 1495 mm

Other specifications:

• Kerb Weight: 600 Kg
• Wheelbase: 2230 mm
• Ground Clearance: 180 mm
• Battery: Semi Sealed placed under the Driver Seat
• Boot Capacity: 80 Litres, 500 Litres (with rear seats folded)
• Tata Nano Europa Features:
• Fuel Consumption: 23.6 Kmpl (Est.)
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 15 Litres

Nano Base:

• High mounted Rear Stop lamp
• Folding Rear Seats
• Engine opening through rear bumper
• Centrally placed exhaust
• Only Driver seat adjust-sliding and reclining
• Grey bumpers and interiors
• Seat Belts: ELR Front, Static Rear
• 2-Spoke Steering wheel
• Driver side Outside rear view mirror
• Fixed front passenger seat
• Speedometer and Odometer

Tata Nano CX (Along with the features of Base Nano Adds the following):

• Driver and Co-driver seats with slide and recline adjust
• HVAC (Air conditioner with heater)
• 2 tone grey interiors and seats
• Optional Metallic paint.
• Tinted Glasses

Tata Nano LX (Along with the features of Base CX Adds the following):

• Front Power windows
• Front and Rear fog lamps
• Moulded door trim with fabric inserts
• Sunvisors on both sides
• Tripmeter
• Central Locking
• 3-Spoke Steering wheel
• Floor console with glass holder
• Anti-Glare inside rear view mirror

Service Intervals:

• 1st Free Service: 1000 kms or 1 month whichever is earlier
• 2nd Free Service: 5000 kms or 6 month whichever is earlier
• 3rd Free Service: 10000 kms or 12 months whichever is earlier
• Every subsequent service after 10,000 kms

Color Choices:

• Nano CX: Bright Red, Ivory White, Summer Blue, Champagne Gold, Lunar Silver
• Nano LX: Champagne Gold, Lunar Silver, Sunshine Silver
• Nano Base: Bright Red, Ivory White, Summer Blue

Other Details:

• Cost of forms: Rs 200-300 (One form per customer)
• Booking Amount: 70% of the price
• Allotment: Random number lottery
• Forms Availability: State Bank Of India (Selected Branches), Westside and Croma Stores, 400 Tata Dealers all over the country
• Booking Date: 2nd Week of April, Forms will be available 7 Days before the booking date is announced, available only for 14 Days.
• Warranty: 18 Months or 24,000 kms whichever is earlier

Got the specs here:  http://today24news.com/auto/new-tata-nano-europa-to-be-launched-in-india-by-2012-063726

I hope Tata Motors will be available in the Philippines and the Nano Europa will be in the market here next year too.  I love to have this car and probably the EV type because it will be a good example in the road to lessen the pollution here in our country.  ;)