Tata Nano, at around $2,500, is by a long margin the world’s cheapest car. It is all set for release in India and if all goes well could hit the US shores in 2011. By contrast Nissan Versa and the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo 5 are amongst the cheapest cars in the US but cost way more than the Nano; of course the specs differ as well. The Nano comes from the Tata stable, India’s largest industrial house, that owns the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
Here are the specs for 4-door Tata Nano –
* Length: 3.1 meters
* Height: 1.6 meters
* Width: 1.5 meters
* Engine: Rear-wheel drive, 2-cylinder, 623 cc, rear mounted multi-point fuel-injection petrol engine.
* Safety: Has an aluminum body with crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat-belts, and rear tailgate glass that is bonded to the body. Tubeless tires.
* Environment: Emission performance exceeds regulation requirements and is in fact better than two-wheelers in India.
There are no airbags or anti-lock brakes. The Nano has a top-speed of 65 mph and gives 20 km / liter. Air conditioning and power windows are optional.
It will be very interesting to see the reception that the Nano gets if it makes it to the US. Surely, it will be upgraded to meet US safety and emission requirements and at the same time it could be the catalyst that will bring about a new era of fuel-efficient vehicles in the US. On the other hand, it could become a use-and-dispose vehicle being gifted by everybody to anybody.
very small car – not sure america likes small cars…something about overcompensating?
the US version will probably be more spacious; it should find a market with urbanites who need a fuel-efficient vehicle to commute to work and back. 20 km to the liter is very good; i think it’s impressive miles per gallons.
positive comments on nano-in-america related articles, for example here – http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4244226.html
we can’t say they will like it or not but the price is the major and very big advantage of tata nano to be The World’s Cheapest Car