Finally Ratan Tata’s dream, a small car for the teeming millions, has been unveiled. And for the world`s cheapest car- christened the Nano- it was one luxury arrival. It condensed years of anticipation into one moment of mayhem as thousands of bulbs flashed and amidst thundering music, Ratan drove into what is certain to revolutionise the Indian automobile sector.
An emotional Ratan Tata drove the car to the podium and said, “This is what I have for you. A promise is a promise, it will cost Rs 1 lakh ex-showroom.” More than 1,000 people -- journalists, VIPS and industrialists -- packed an auditorium on Thursday as Tata Motors Ltd unveiled its long-awaited "People`s Car" in a media circus more worthy of a pop concert or an Oscar ceremony. For those wanting to feel India`s economic self-confidence as it takes on the world, all they had to do was to experience the blaring music from "2001: A Space Odyssey" and the flashes of scores of cameras as the Tata Nano was driven out. "I haven`t seen this many cameras in my six years in South Asia," said one veteran journalist. "You couldn`t even buy advertising like this." Ahead of the launch, major news channels devoted several minutes of airtime to live footage of a dark and empty stage where the car, a hatchback that is priced at about half the cost of the current cheapest car, would be unveiled.
Tata Nano specifications
Tata Motors Ltd today unveiled the world's cheapest car, priced at Rs one lakh (2,500 dollars). Here are key facts about the four-door, mini hatchback named the Nano.
Looks: Contemporary looks and almost in sync with that of Zen Estilo and Fiat 500. Its length is 3.1 metres, height is 1.6 metres and width is of 1.5 metres.
Engine: The heart of the car is a rear-mounted two cylinder 623 cc, 33 horsepower, all aluminium, multi-point fuel injection petrol engine which can power the car to top speeds of 105 kilometres per hour (65 miles per hour). Fuel Efficiency: The Nano can do a 20 kilometres per litre, or 50 miles per gallon.
Tata Motors Ltd today unveiled the world's cheapest car, priced at Rs one lakh (2,500 dollars). Here are key facts about the four-door, mini hatchback named the Nano.
Looks: Contemporary looks and almost in sync with that of Zen Estilo and Fiat 500. Its length is 3.1 metres, height is 1.6 metres and width is of 1.5 metres.
Engine: The heart of the car is a rear-mounted two cylinder 623 cc, 33 horsepower, all aluminium, multi-point fuel injection petrol engine which can power the car to top speeds of 105 kilometres per hour (65 miles per hour). Fuel Efficiency: The Nano can do a 20 kilometres per litre, or 50 miles per gallon.
Safety: Mr Ratan Tata said the Nano has an all sheet-metal body, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat-belts, strong seats and anchorages, and the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body. Tyres are tubeless.
Environment-friendly: The Peoples Cars tailpipe emission performance exceeds regulatory requirements. In terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers being manufactured in the country today. The high fuel efficiency also ensures that the car has low carbon dioxide emissions, thereby providing the twin benefits of an affordable transportation solution with a low carbon footprint. It is Euro III and the engine has the capability of matching Euro IV norms.
Production Target: 250,000 units at present and with plan to scale it to 3,50,000 units.
Price: Standard model price Rs 1,00,000 (2,500 dollars) plus VAT and transport costs, which will put the on-road price at about Rs 1,20,000. The price of two deluxe models that will include air-conditioning and other features will be announced later.
