Tata NANO

Tata Nano

The Tata Nano is a proposed city car — a small, affordable, rear-engined, four-passenger car aimed primarily at the Indian market.Tata targets the vehicle as the least expensive production car in the world aiming for a starting price of Rs.100,000 (approximately US$2000)

Newsweek identifies the Nano as a part of a "new breed of 21st-century cars" that embody "a contrarian philosophy of smaller, lighter, cheaper" and portend a new era in inexpensive personal transportation — and potentially, "global gridlock" The Wall Street Journal confirms a global trend toward small cars, which includes the Nano.

Conception and design

The project to create the world's cheapest production car began in 2003, under the Chairman of Tata Motors, Ratan Tata, inspired by the number of Indian families with two-wheeled rather than four-wheeled transport.

Contrary to speculation that the car might be a simple four-wheeled auto rickshaw, The Times of India reported the vehicle is "a properly designed and built car". The Chairman is reported to have said, "It is not a car with plastic curtains or no roof — it's a real car."

To achieve its design parameters, Tata has refined the manufacturing process, emphasized innovation and sought new design approaches from suppliers. The car was designed at Italy's Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering — with Ratan Tata requesting certain changes, such the elimination of one of two windscreen wipers.

The Nano has 21% more interior space and an 8% smaller exterior, when compared with its closest rival, the Maruti 800. The car will come in different versions, including one standard and two deluxe variants. The deluxe version will have air conditioning, but no power steering. The initial production target set by Tata Motors is 250,000 units per year.

Expectations

According to one report, India as well as other nations, such as European nations, have great expectations from the Nano and are keenly and eagerly awaiting it, especially the electric version of the Nano, making it in all probability the "world's cheapest electric car" officially on record. The car itself is expected to boost the Indian Economy as well as expand the Indian car market by 65%, according to rating agency CRISIL.

Special Features of Tata Nano

Rear mounted engine

Variants

Besides the regular and conventional gasoline-variant ,electric-variant (E-Nano) , the following variants are also expected.

Diesel

Together with Diesel Engine specialist FEV Tata Motors is developing a 684 cc diesel engine for the Nano. Diesel variant Nano will sell for Rs2 lakh (200,000 rupees). Nano will have the smallest Common Rail Turbocharged Diesel engine in the world and is expected to deliver sterling fuel economy figures.

Eco-friendly variants and initiatives

Tata Motors is reportedly working on some very revolutionary and eco-friendly initiatives, some of which are personally-supported and appreciated by Mr. Ratan Tata. Other than their Gasoline engine, Tata Motors will offer following options.

Compressed-air engine

Tata Motors is working with a French firm on using compressed air as an energy source which is eco-friendly and revolutionary in itself for a car of such large-scale. The company has tied up with Moteur Development International (MDI) for this purpose

Electric drivetrain or electric-version

Tata is also believed to be making an electric version of the Nano, called the E-Nano which might prove to be a boon for the society and the world, both in terms of cost and technology, as it might well turn out to be the "world's cheapest electric car"] which is more eco-friendly and has many enthusiasts and media for its support. It's supposed to be as cheap as the conventional gasoline version.


Hybrid

Some news-sources state that "a hybrid version [of Tata Nano] is also likely, although it is not yet known whether the electric motor will be paired with a gasoline or diesel version."

Trim levels

The Nano will be available in three trim levels[citation needed]:-

* Standard
* Deluxe
* Luxury

The base $2,500 getting no air conditioning[citation needed]. The Deluxe and Luxury variants will get AC and body colored bumpers. Luxury variant will also have alloy wheels, fog lamps and ICE[citation needed]. Tata Motors plans to sell more expensive version in order to keep product line profitable


"The ambitious Nano car has not rolled out of the assembly line of the makers Tata's plants yet. But it is already in the Guinness book as the world's cheapest car."

Maserati GT

Maserati GT

Maserati has a long pedigree and history since its establishment in 1914. With the GT, Maserati is signaling a return to its sporting roots by creating a grand tourer (big car with two doors) that encapsulates what Maserati stands for; luxury, power, performance and exclusivity.

It has a 4.2-litre V8 engine delivering 298kW and 460Nm, which at howling speed gives a glorious shrill that lets one know that this Maser means serious business. The 2+2-seater GT must be one of the most beautiful cars in the world, with elegant lines that flow straight from the bonnet right to the rear.

Dodge Nitro 2.8 CRD

Dodge Nitro 2.8 CRD

Americans have always known how to go big. Anything they do is big. The new Dodge Nitro is not necessarily big, in fact, in the US the Nitro is considered a mid-sized family SUV, all 4.5m metres of it! Vehicles like the Nitro personify aggression in the meanest sense. The 2.8 CRD is a turbo charged diesel engine with a range of 650km from a full tank, driving around town and cruising on the freeway.

Although not as refined as other modern diesels (this is based on old Chrysler Jeep technology), this engine delivers extremely usable torque of 460Nm starting at a very lowly 2000 revs per minute. This means the Nitro 2.8 CRD can pretty much pull up any type of steep hill without too much of a puff.

HUMMER H3

HUMMER H3

H3 is the younger brother to the (in)famous H2, a vehicle made notorious first by the 1992 war in Iraq, "Desert Storm", then by governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and then "bling" rap music videos. It is a vehicle that begs to be accessorised. It is extremely capable off-road, meaning it's not just a pavement poser that runs out of ideas once the going gets rough.

Under the bonnet of this SA-built big beast is a 3.7-litre engine good for 180kW and 328Nm. HUMMER is not purchased on the merits of its performance, rather it is bought as a bold statement by the buyer.

BMW X5 4.8i

BMW X5 4.8i

BMW has opted for evolution, rather than revolution in designing the X5. Nevertheless, the car is substantially better than its predecessor, which was already a class-leader itself. More power, more space, uses relatively less fuel etc., the X5 now offers a seating configuration of 7 as an option, for those with little children. Powered by the familiar 4.8-litre V8 engine, the X5 4.8i makes a heady 261 kW and 475Nm. X5 handling is for this class of car, unparalleled, making quick mince of obstacles such as tight corners as well as steep hills.

Solidly built, beautifully muscular inside and out without being imposing, and it is powerful, uncompromising and sleek. The X5 4.8i sets a new standard for big luxury SUVs. It just begs for everyday driving.

Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI

Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI

Looks really cracking, with or without the sharp AMG Sports kit. C-Class is also a class-leader in terms of spaciousness, while exhibiting the high levels of comfort people have come to expect of the Merc brand. The C220 CDI itself makes 125kW and 400Nm of torque, making it extremely drivable in any gear without the need for constant changedowns.

It has a top speed of 229km/h. A host of features and options is available to suit most pockets and tastes. As safety is paramount to Mercedes-Benz, acronyms like ESP, ASR and ABS with EBD feature prominently, as do airbags.

BMW M3

BMW M3

Awesome performance (309kW, 400Nm, 0 -100 in 4.8 seconds), intimidating good looks and a surprisingly spacious interior make the M3 a bargain supercar with a very high-quality interior and an exterior that includes a lightweight carbon-fibre roof to aid performance. M3 can be driven like a normal car though through everyday traffic and routines such as safety nets like Dynamic Stability Control or DSC, which helps in keeping the car on the road, should an extreme emergency occur. It also benefitted from Side Airbags, The M3 GT Bi-Plane rear spoiler, front corner spoiler extensions, electric seats, and polished alloy wheels.