Tata Motors Goa dealer Auto Industries has launched a special Tata Nano Valentines Edition in Goa. Essentially, it’s a Tata Nano CX with some added features such as:

• Integrated Tata Audio /MP3 System with USB
• A Pen drive on which one can store your favorite songs
• A Mobile phone along with a phone holder stand
• Remote Central locking
• Fog lamps
• Air freshener
• Protective Sunfilm
• Mats and Mudflaps
• Valentine special exterior graphics

And the cost of all this malarkey? Approximately Rs 20,000 more than the normal Nano CX. Yes, we know that this is just some marketing gimmickry to cash in on the opportunity. But pretty innovative we must say!

So will you make your Valentine feel special with this Nano?

[Source: GoaonWheels.com]

What we do know is Tata’s trying to spread its wings with the Nano project. We’ve told readers how Bangladesh and Indonesia could get assembly lines for the Nano soon after the performance of the imported models is gauged.

Tata sells a small number of vehicles in Europe every year as completely built up units. It has set up a small assembly line in the UK for putting together kits of the Vista EV shipped from the Pune plant. Romania could provide the company an opportunity to do a similar operation with the Nano for emerging Europe. The company showcased the Europa concept for this very same reason and has told the media many a time that Europe and America are very much on the Nano’s wishlist.

Tata could be the next Dacia in Europe with cars like the Nano, Vista and Manza. These vehicles are bound to improve over time and with every generation shift, Tata products travel in light years. They have learned to manufacture decently equipped cars at rock-bottom prices. Their technology and design capabilities will only get better with time as synergies between the Tata and JLR have kicked off.

We’re not sure what Tata has in mind but it’ll gain clarity as talks continue.

[Source - InAutoNews.com]

A recent report on The Hindu BusinessLine provides more insight on this elusive creation. DC silently finished the project last year adding goodies such as a drive-by-wire system akin to cars many times its actual price, LCD touchscreen and shipped the one-off Nano to a buyer in England who runs a company that supplies components to the Nano (did he mean Caparo?).

DC refuses to disclose the name of the buyer or the final price. He says it was bought for over a crore. The custom is not road legal and is used a display piece at the company’s ballroom.

It was no regular Nano as the tiny 624cc 2cyl engine was shown the door for a liquid-cooled 1,600cc Suzuki Hayabusa superbike engine. We’d love to see the owner post a Youtube video of revving engine or riding shotgun on a private road.

[Source - TheHinduBusinessLine.com]

At the initial sales stage cars will be imported directly from Tata’s Sanand plant in India. Later as the sales drive up the demand Tata Motors plan to assemble the Nano in Jakrata. The decision to build an assembly line will be taken only when Tata senses growing demand.

Tata Nano caused much of a stir in the automotive world at the time of its launch in 2008, mainly because of its ultra low price-tag of 1-lakh Indian rupees ($2100). Within two minutes of its launch it had already won the ‘cheapest-car-in-the-world’ title by the worldwide media.

Primarily designed to cater the needs of middle-class families the Nano is strictly manufactured on purpose. Despite its low price-tag and diminutive size, the Nano can seat four in comfort and is agreeably safer than any two-wheeler.

Hopefully the Nano will serve the Indonesian common man with same finesse as it does to us Indians.

[Source - Antaranews.com]

By Shivank Bhatt

The distributor is counting on the Nano to deliver big. Over the next four years the sales target is 12,000 units a year. Through local assembly, the prices are brought down and achieving this figure is a lot easier. The decision on an assembly line is pending as the response to the car can be verified only after the launch.

The price of the Nano will start at 4.08 lakh rupees (650k Taka). Tata has not elaborated on the export plan for Nano but a top company official has told Wall Street Journal, without being explicit, that the Nano will be exported to South East Asian countries. Countries like Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia don’t have to wait very long before the Nano reaches their shores.

[Source - online.wsj.com via thefinancialexpress-bd.com]

The car retains the current Nano’s specifications and receives a 35-liter CNG tank with best in class CNG mileage. The software controlled CNG circuit switches off supply if it senses even a minute leakage. The components for the CNG kit are sourced from world-class suppliers according to the brochure which adds that the tank is packaged cleverly not to compromise on luggage space.

The Bi-Fuel Nano gets special color treatment and interior themed around its green credentials.

Select images shot by IAB lovers hk-harry and Siddharth Shankar

Inspired by the Pixel (which is like a posh Nano), the eMO concept can travel a 100-mile range on full charge with a top speed of 65 miles per hour.The suicide doors allow the front and rear passenger to get in easily so there is no need for 4 doors which saves weight. There is no hatch to put your luggage thus saving weight even further.

Warren Harris, Tata Technologies President and Global COO, said

” The eMO project symbolizes the coming of age of Indian automotive engineering.”

The Tata eMO will cost USD 20,000 if it goes in production which it never will. According to Tata Motors, the eMO will remain concept. However, the design study may ‘inspire’ the future of Nano or Pixel.

Source: AutoBlogGreen.com

To wipe out last traces of the “cheap car” image on the Nano, the company upgraded the MY2012 version with height adjustable headrests, a more powerful engine, bigger wing mirrors and better upholstery at no additional cost. At the Auto Expo last week it became clear that they are not stopping there. The ‘Nano concept’ provided the future direction of what once was known as the world’s cheapest car.

Painted in a rich violet, the Nano concept sports chrome embellishments on the edge of the hood and on the rear fascia. A redesigned rear bumper with more air vents was also seen on a test mule in Pune last year. The concept stands on wider tires (145/70 front and 165/65 rear) and disc brakes up front.

A soft interior upholstery is printed with a Matrix text effect. The theme is carried forward to the door pads. The scoops on the front dashboard have have a lid making two gloveboxes. The hazard switch has been relocated to the center console, just above the air conditioning vents.

The Nano concepts features the same petrol engine but to improve fuel economy further, start-stop technology has been provided. The vehicle did not have features like access to the boot through the hatch, rear wiper and leather seats.

In our review of the Nano, we pointed out that the Nano badly needed two features – disc brakes and power steering. We hope Tata brings out this feature-rich Nano concept to the market later this year.

Select images shot by hk-harry and Siddharth Shankar.

Tata Nano Concept Image Gallery