It takes a lot of big ideas to come up with something small that actually works. That’s what Tata Motors did with the Nano. Now there’s a new one
Tata Motors attracted everyone’s attention at the 2008 Auto Expo when the Nano was unveiled with the whole world as the audience. With a basic price-tag of just Rs 1,00,000 (US $2,000 at that time), the car sported a simple, yet functional design, offering good interior space and all the basic amenities you would expect from a small car. Power came from a rear-mounted, twin-cylinder petrol engine displacing all of 624 cc and making 35 PS and 48 Nm. It was paired to a four-speed transmission driving the rear wheels and promised fantastic fuel economy and extremely low emission.
Fast forward four years later and the Nano received an engine update, with the power and torque figures going up to 38 PS and 51 Nm respectively. Several new colours were also introduced. However, Tata Motors didn’t sit still; they went on to give us this: the 2013 Nano.
The new Nano brings a number of changes in cosmetics and entertainment. The top-end LX gets the AmphiStream system with Bluetooth connectivity, USB and Aux-in. The pockets on the dashboard are now twin glove-boxes, flanked by speakers. You also get remote keyless entry. New colours – Dazzle Blue, Cornflower Blue and Royal Gold – as well as two options in interior trim – Luxurious Barley Beige and Sporty Ebony Black – are also on offer. There are chrome strips adorning the front and the rear, while the rear bumper gets a revised engine cover, which better conceals the engine. It also offers 180 mm of ground clearance. Not much has changed when it comes to the drive, but the additional equipment does make life easier inside the car.
The on-road price in Pune starts from Rs 1.89 lakh, while the top-end LX costs Rs 2.69 lakh.
New colours – Dazzle Blue, Cornflower Blue and Royal Gold – as well as two options in interior trim – Luxurious Barley Beige and Sporty Ebony Black – are also on offer
Story: Jim Gorde
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
