Spied - Trials of the Tata Nano 800cc begin in Maharashtra

23/01/2013 - 10:21 | Spy pictures,   | Anjan Ravi

With the arrival of the Tata Nano, came along its very own dedicated rumor mill. We heard about the more powerful, 800cc engine Tata would launch the car in. We heard about the Nano diesel and the CNG/LPG variants.

Tata Nano 800cc caught on testTata Nano 800cc rear

We heard about a refreshed Nano with a functioning rear hatch. In short, we've heard a lot. And seen a lot as well, in the form of test mules.

Today, it is the turn of the 800cc Nano to come into focus once again. What you see here is the car in question (supposedly) caught by one of OnCars reader's - Mr. Rishi. It was said to be doing its testing on the country roads of Maharashtra.

This Nano test mule seems to be packed with data logging equipment, especially on all the wheels. An 800cc engine would be heavier than the current 624cc, suggesting that Tata would have to check the tyre parameters. It goes without saying that the suspension would have to be reworked as well to handle the extra weight. It is reported that the tyre size has been increased as well.

However, OnCars reports that the exterior changes are not limited to the uprated tyres alone. The track of the car seems to be wider as well. This could be a possibility as a larger engine demands more space and more cooling. Would Tata use a bigger cooling system that would need them to shift the location of the radiator?

Also, would the primary Nano-centric quirks (read inconveniences) such as the under-bonnet fuel filler and the fixed rear hatch, be addressed in the Nano 800? We'll be finding out soon.

With a late 2013/early 2014 arrival, the Nano 800 will try to steal some of the Eon's and Alto's thunder. This couldn't come at a better time for Tata as well, with sales of the Nano not showing signs of consistency.

[Source - OnCars.in]

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