Tata Nano : Cheapest Car in the World, Specifications, Pictures

A miffed car thief was heard quoting this big daddy proverb, "It doesn't matter how much you paid for the car, they all look the same after the wreck." ha ha, those into "car-or-dismantled-car-reselling business" have every reason to sulk as Tata unveils the much awaited Nano, the within-reach car aiming at common man (No No by aiming I don't mean its gonna chase after one to mow him down) here at Auto Expo 2008, New Delhi. For once, we might get to see R.K. Laxman's proverbial Common Man smiling.

Okay

Let me put aside these lame attempts at pun in favor of something really worth a smile, check out the new kid on the block:)

Specifications: The young kid has a big heart (or belly), Tata has been assuring people that although its smaller by 8% without as compared to its closest rival Maruti 800, its 21% more spacious within as compared to the same. To be precise its 3.1 metes (10.23 feet) long, 1.5 meters wide and 1.6 meters high, can seat four people comfortably, five -conditions apply :)- while six are likely to get frowned upon, but you never know. Draws on a two cylinder 623 cc, 33 horsepower rear mounted, multi-point fuel injection, all aluminum, petrol engine. Can reach the highest speeds of 105 kilometers/hour. It had to be fuel efficient, 20 kilometers/liter is Tata's claim, can be seen as its biggest USP. It more than satisfies all Indian regulatory requirements regarding pollution and safety.

Price: Well, that's the cause célèbre... in a positive way that is, the standard model is priced at Rs 1,00,000 (2,500 dollars approx). Add VAT, transport costs etc to that, and on road price should be Rs 1,20,000 about. The two Deluxe models with AC and some other features will be only slightly costlier although there is no final word from the company as of yet in this regard.

Looks? Well, have a look yourself :)

The Standard Model

The Deluxe Model

Nano's Interiors (somewhat disemboweled :( )

Reactions
I was reading about it in paper (TOI) this morning, it appears the kid has hardly arrived and it has already ruffled a few feathers in automobile industry, some (mixed) reactions it elicited from the who's who of the industry..

"It can seat five people...if no one breathes," ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson.

"Upstart econobox.", Time.

"Automotive journalists had traveled from the four corners of the globe too see a golf cart crossed with a jelly bean.", Popular Mechanics.

"C'mon, it's practically smiling,", a Wired magazine correspondent.

"Ultimate reverse status symbol.", MotorTrends.

[ source : TNN ]

last but not the least, and although I don't quite qualify for "who's who" here is my reaction once again ;)

"For once, we might get to see R.K. Laxman's proverbial Common Man smiling.", Playfullive.com