Many of our viewers have constantly supplied us with spyshots of camouflaged mules and we are MIGHTY thankful to each and every one of them. But our eagle eyed reader Rohan has unraveled a feat that is nothing less than a story from the Sherlock Holmes’ novel. Deductive reasoning is what they call it!
High resolution image of the image that gives its identity away! [Opens in a new window]
Look at the picture above; seems like a mundane stop at the petrol pump right? But now looks carefully. There is a Tata Nano on temporary registration plates preceded by an Indigo (again on temp plates).
So? You ask. They could be just two dealer vehicles fueling up and heading to the stockyard before the final delivery.
Wait! Don’t jump to conclusion. Look where the Tata Nano is fueling up. It is a diesel station. Yes! This is the Tata Nano diesel caught red handed. And the Tata Indigo with temp plates could be its convoy vehicle thus completing the scene.
While we have seen many Tata Nanos on temp plates portrayed as Tata Nano Diesel, this is the most concrete proof ever unraveled about the Nano Diesel. The mysterious Nano Diesel is one of the most hotly anticipated car in the Indian automotive scene. Speculations suggest that Tata Motors is targeting a fuel economy of 40 kmpl. For our international audience that’s 94 mpg!
Tata is modifying the front and rear bumpers, an intercooler or radiator could be mounted up front. Our spotted adds that the tail pipe emerges from the right hand side of the rear fascia, as opposed to the central position on the petrol model. This is not clear from the photographs, but it is only a matter of time before a clear picture emerges.
Speculations also suggest that the Nano’s diesel engine will be a unique two-cylinder, 700-800 cc mill and that the diesel variants will be 20-30% more expensive than the Nano petrol. If all goes as plan, the Tata Nano will be the most fuel efficient production vehicle in India! It will run using a CRDI (DICOR in Tata’s dictionary) engine and could employ the world’s smallest turbocharger.
The Nano has been consistently put down by its arch rival Maruti Suzuki Alto in terms of sales figures. But the Nano Diesel is a whole new game now, isn’t it?
Will the Nano diesel finally make a dent on Alto’s sales?
Tata Nano diesel Image Slideshow
Can’t see the slideshow above? Head over to the Tata Nano Diesel Flickr Gallery page for images.
I think it is a great idea to release the diesel version of TATA NANO.I think Nano diesel will surely affect the sales of alto as the cheapest car in the world in now equipped with the all new diesel engine.
It is interesting to note that in all of the pictures above, Tata Nano is always being accompanied by some Tata Vehicle, as if they were escorting their “little” cousin and protect her!
I know I’m imagining way too much!
Bosch is the company that will be facilitating Nano with Diesel engines. They have been handling R&D for awhile. Its so lame when test cars get camouflaged, they should not be filling their tanks in public stations like these – some error in judgement there.
What if the indigo is filling and the nano driver is just with the indigo guy
The front hood of the Nano is open. This is where the fuel cap lies for Nano..Hence its the Nano which is refuelling
Tatas’ Diesel vehicles will never go wrong.
The generic Indica was a tremendous success and even after more than a decade is still doing great.
As you said, Nano Diesel is a whole new game now.
Well, considering that the govt seems to be in no mood to deregulate diesel prices to get it in tune with petrol prices, the Nano diesel should be a killer machine.
If nothing seriously surprising happens, I would imagine that Tata would have no trouble at all in utilising capacity at Sanand. In fact, they may even have to expand production.
It should make a pretty big dent on Alto sales.
The major concern that I imagine with the diesel model will be noise factor. Many people still complain, with some reason, that the petrol model is noisy. So how well they have been able to control it in the diesel version is the question.
True, petrol model sales will be hit, but considering Tata is expanding the Nano’s international reach, petrol vehicles will still feature high in exports.
Noise is not a big concern with Modren Day Diesel engines.
For example Tata Manza Petrol and Diesel has same levels of Noise from INSIDE the cabin (all windows closed). From OUTSIDE the Diesel engine sounds different compared to a petrol engine, but can’t say it’s way more Noisy.
I am not of the view that modern diesel are noisy machines at all.
But I made the point considering the view that the petrol model is itself pretty noisy. So the diesel doesnt just have to match it, but do better.
Wow, this is indeed a scoop of sorts. We have been hearing stories and speculations of diesel powered Nano. A mileage of 40kmpl is unheard of. If that were to come, may be I too would jump in the fray to buy one.
Well, whether it will dent Alto’s sales then ya somewhat. But it may cannibalize its petrol twin since its CRDI and 15 kmpl more then its petrol twin. Lets wait for launch and reviews of type – T20, one day and Test match.