10 Jan 08 14:49
Tata has launched the world's cheapest car: the INR100,000 (£1,300) Nano.
The Nano - looking a little like the original Daewoo Matiz or the Think electric car - is a high-roofed five-door with a 30bhp, 625cc Bosch engine and four-speed manual gearbox.
In standard form, it has no power steering, no electric windows, no airbags and no air conditioning - even instrumentation is kept to a bare minimum of speedo, fuel gauge and oil light. Some creature comforts will be offered as options, however, in more expensive 'deluxe' versions.
Just over 3m long and 1.5m wide, the tiny Nano can seat five (at a push) and is said to be capable of 60mph and 55mpg. Tata claims that the Nano would be able to meet the Euro IV emissions standards, and that it meets (unspecified) safety standards; whether it could meet the criteria for sales in Europe is, as yet, unconfirmed. Tata is planning exports by 2011, although these may be to other developing nations.
The Nano undercuts the Maruti-Suzuki 800, currently the cheapest car in India, by a good margin and Tata hopes that it will prove attractive to first-time car owners trading up from motorbikes and scooters.
