Tata Nano

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tata Nano

Manufacturer Tata Motors Also called one-lakh car Production 2008present Pantnagar, Uttarkhand, India[1] Assembly Charodi, Gujarat, India (since June 2010)[2] Class City car Body style 4-door Layout RR layout 2 cylinder SOHC petrol Bosch multi-point Engine fuel injection (single injector) all aluminium 624 cc (38 cu in) Transmission 4 speed synchromesh with overdrive in 4th Wheelbase 2,230 mm (87.8 in)[3]

Length Width Height Kerb weight Designer

3,099 mm (122.0 in)[3] 1,495 mm (58.9 in)[3] 1,652 mm (65.0 in)[3] 600 kg (1,300 lb)635 kg (1,400 lb)[3] Justin Norek of Trilix, Pierre Castinel[4]

The Tata Nano is an inexpensive, rear-engined, four-passenger city car built by the Indian company Tata Motors and is aimed primarily at the Indian domestic market. Tata Motors began selling its "one-lakh car" in March, 2009.[5] This nickname is due to the Nano's price point, near 100,000 ( US$ 2100). It is the cheapest road car in the world today,[6] though the price continues to rise[7] due to increasing material costs.[8] In 2008 the Financial Times reported: "If ever there were a symbol of Indias ambitions to become a modern nation, it would surely be the Nano, the tiny car with the even tinier price-tag. A triumph of homegrown engineering, the Nano encapsulates the dream of millions of Indians groping for a shot at urban prosperity."[9] "Homegrown engineering" is a relative term here as much of the systems and parts used in the Nano may not have been developed or produced in India.[10] The Tata Nano has become somewhat symbolic as a modern 'people's car', often being compared to the likes of the Ford Model T and the original Volkswagen Beetle.[11] The Nano has also become a status symbol in its home market of India, where it provides an opportunity for new car ownership for people who would otherwise never own one, and for the wealthy to join the trend.[12]

Contents
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1 History o 1.1 Expectations o 1.2 Singur factory pullout o 1.3 Design 1.3.1 Cost cutting features 2 Price 3 Model versions o 3.1 Europe o 3.2 Export 4 Technical specifications 5 Alternative-energy engines o 5.1 Compressed-air engine o 5.2 Diesel o 5.3 Electric vehicle 6 Safety concern

7 Effects o 7.1 Safer travel o 7.2 Pollution increase o 7.3 Indian used car market 8 Awards 9 In the media 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

[edit] History
Seeing an opportunity in the great number of Indian families with two-wheeled rather than four-wheeled vehicles,[7] Tata Motors began development of an affordable car in 2003.[11] The purchase price of this no frills auto was brought down by dispensing with most nonessential features, reducing the amount of steel used in its construction, and relying on low-cost Indian labor.[13] The introduction of the Nano received much media attention due to its low price,[14] and the car was available to buy throughout India in early 2011.[15] The Nano's development was foreshadowed by the 2005 success of the affordable, 4wheeled Tata Ace truck.[11]

[edit] Expectations
Many have had great expectations for this small car,[16] some perhaps going a bit too far. One study, by Indian rating agency CRISIL, thought the Nano would expand the nation's car market by 65%.[17] It was also anticipated that the 2009 launch of the car would greatly affect the used-car market, with prices dropping 25-30% in the lead up to the launch. However, due to limited supply (customers had a waiting period of up to one year) used-car prices reverted to their former figures.[18][19] Sales of new Suzuki Alto-based Maruti 800s (considered the Nano's nearest competitor) dropped by 20%, and used ones by 30% immediately following the unveiling of the Nano. As Autocar journalist Mark Rainford summarizes: People are asking themselves and uswhy they should pay, say, 250,000 Rupees for a Maruti Alto, when they can wait and get a brand new Nano for less in a few months time, a car that is actually bigger.[20]

[edit] Singur factory pullout

Main article: Tata Nano Singur controversy

Tata Motors announced in 2006[21] that the Nano would be manufactured in Singur, West Bengal,[22] helped in part by a forced acquisition and reuse of farmland by the West Bengal state government[22] to entice Tata to build there.[22] Local farmers soon began protesting the forced acquisition of their land for the new factory.[23] As the protests continued through 2007 and 2008,[11] Tata first delayed the Nano launch[24] and later decided to build the car in a different state (Gujarat) instead.[2]

[edit] Design

A Tata Nano in silver. The car's exterior was designed at Italy's Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering.[11] [edit] Cost cutting features The Nano's design implements many cost-reducing measures.

The Nano's trunk is only accessible from inside the car, as the rear hatch does not open.[25] One windscreen wiper instead of the usual pair[14] No power steering, unnecessary due to its light weight[14] Three lug nuts on the wheels instead of the usual four[26] Only one wing mirror[14] radio or CD player can be fitted as accessories[14] No airbags in any model[14] 624cc rear engine has only 2 cylinders[14] No air conditioning in base model[14]

[edit] Price
Wikinews has related news: World's cheapest car launched in India, will go on sale in April

Announcing the vehicle as the least expensive production car in the world,[27] Tata aimed for a starting price of one lakh, or 100,000, rupees. This was approximately US$2000 at the time.[28] As of December, 2010, the cheapest Nano costs around US$2900.[7] Rapidly rising material prices (up 13% to 23% over the cars development time[29]) are blamed for these price rises.[8] In late October 2010, Reuters reported that prices will be raised by an average of 9,000 rupees (US$202) from November because of rising material costs,[30] and as of the beginning of 2011 the Nano costs 140,000 rupees (more than US$3,000).[15]

[edit] Model versions

Tata Nano Std

Tata Nano Europa At its launch the Nano was available in India in three trim levels:[31]

The Tata Nano Std priced at 142,000 (US$2,698) with a choice of three exterior colors, dual tone vinyl seats, and a fold-down rear seat The Tata Nano CX at 171,000 (US$3,249) with six color options, airconditioning, two-tone seats, a parcel shelf, assisted brakes and fold-down rear seat with nap rest The Tata Nano LX at 195,000 (US$3,705) with all of the features of the Cx plus beige fabric seats,beige door trim,beige dashboard, central locking, front power windows, body-colored bumpers, fog lamps, a trip meter, a cup holder, tri spoke steering wheel,mobile phone charging capabilities and a rear spoiler

[edit] Europe
This export version of the Nano was first shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show[32] but has yet to go on sale. Heavily upgraded to meet EU safety and emission standards, the car will have a number of improvements over the standard Nano, including an extended wheelbase, a new 3-cylinder engine, power steering, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and an improved interior and exterior.[32] The Nano Europe will be more expensive, heavier, and less fuel efficient than the standard Nano with prices said to be around US$6000.[33] At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show Tata unveiled the Tata Pixel, a rear engined, four passenger city car based on the Nano Europa platform.[34]

[edit] Export
Export to other developing countries may begin in late 2011, and export versions will probably differ little from those sold on the Indian market.[35]

[edit] Technical specifications

The Nano(2012) is a 38 PS (28 kW; 37 hp) car with a two-cylinder 624 cc rear engine. The car complies with BS4 Indian emission standards and can also meet European emission standards as well. Engine: 2 cylinder petrol with Bosch multi-point fuel injection (single injector) all aluminium 38 metric horsepower (28 kW) 624 cc (38 cu in) Value Motronic engine management platform from Bosch 2 valves per cylinder overhead camshaft Compression ratio: 9.5:1 bore stroke: 73.5 mm (2.9 in) 73.5 mm (2.9 in) Power: 38 PS (28 kW; 37 hp) @ 5500 +/500 rpm "Official specifications for Tata Nano". Tata Motors.</ref> Torque: 51 Nm (38 ftlbf) @ 3000 +/500 rpm Rear wheel drive 4-speed manual transmission mechanical rack and pinion w/o servo Turning radius: 4 metres[3]

Layout and Transmission Steering

Performance

Acceleration: 0-60 km/h (37 mph): 8 seconds[3] Maximum speed: 105 km/h (65 mph)[3] Fuel efficiency (overall): 25.2 kilometres per litre (4.24 litres per 100 kilometres (66.6 mpg-imp; 55.5 mpg-US)) Body and Seat belt: 4[36] dimensions Trunk capacity: 150 L (5.3 cu ft)[37] Suspension, Front brake: 180 mm drum[3] Tires & Brakes Rear brake: 180 mm drum[3] Front track: 1,325 mm (52.2 in)[3] Rear track: 1,315 mm (51.8 in)[3] Ground clearance: 180 mm (7.1 in)[3] Front suspension: McPherson strut with lower A arm Rear suspension: Independent coil spring 12-inch wheels[38] Supplier [39] Part/system [39] Texspin Clutch Bearings Oxygen sensor, Gasoline injection system Bosch (diesel will follow), starter, alternator, brake system Gasoline fuel supply system, fuel level Continental AG sensor Caparo Inner structural panels HSI AUTO Static sealing systems (Weather Strips) Delphi Instrument cluster Rane Madras Steering Assembly Limited Windshield wiper system (single motor and Denso arm) FAG Kugelfischer Rear-wheel bearing Pistons, Piston rings, Spark plugs, Gaskets, Federal-Mogul Systems protection Rear-view mirrors, interior mirrors, manual Ficosa and CVT shifters, washer system Freudenberg Engine sealing GKN Driveshafts INA Shifting elements ITW Deltar Outside and inside door handles Johnson Controls Seating Camshafts, spin-on oil filters, fuel filters and Mahle air cleaners Saint-Gobain Glass TRW Brake system

Ceekay Daikin/Valeo Vibracoustic Visteon ZF Friedrichshafen AG Behr Drr

Clutch sets Engine mounts Air induction system Chassis components, including tie rods HVAC for the luxury version Lean Paint Shop

[edit] Alternative-energy engines

While the Nano is driven by a gasoline-powered engine, several more-radical powerplants have been proposed but not put into production.

[edit] Compressed-air engine

Tata Motors signed an agreement in 2007 with a French firm, Motor Development International, to produce a compressed air car Nano.[40] While the vehicle was supposed to be able to travel approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) on US$3 of electricity to compress the air,[41] Tata's Vice President of Engineering Systems confirmed in late 2009 that vehicle range continues to be a problem.[40]

[edit] Diesel
A website has speculated that the Nano might be made available with a diesel engine.[42] Tata motors have not confirmed this but have stated, "As of now there is no Diesel variant of the Nano. The Nano is only available in a Petrol version."[43]

[edit] Electric vehicle

Tata has discussed the possibility of producing an electric version,[44] and while it showcased an electric vehicle Nano at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show,[45] no such car is currently on the market. If an EV Nano is sold it is expected to be the "world's cheapest electric car",[46] use lithium-ion batteries, and have a range of 80 miles (130 km).[47] A Norwegian electric car specialist, Miljbil Grenland AS, has been named as a supposed partner in the project.[44]

[edit] Safety concern

A small number of fire incidents involving the Nano were reported.[7] This led Tata to add safety devices to the vehicle although no recall was initiated, and according to Tata the car is safe.[7] Its safety is relative however, as the Nano has no airbags or passenger-side wing mirror.

[edit] Effects
The introduction of a cheap, mass market auto such as the Nano is bound to have some unforeseen effects.

[edit] Safer travel

The Nano is safer than a motorcycleespecially during monsoon, when heavy rains can make traveling difficult for two-wheelers due to wet roads.

[edit] Pollution increase

As the Nano was designed for a population currently using eco-friendly bicycles and motorcycles,[7] environmentalists are concerned by the increase in pollution that would follow a mass motorization in developing countries such as India.[14]

[edit] Indian used car market

The Nano is thought to have affected the used car market in India, as some Indians may opt to buy a Nano rather than a used vehicle. The new-car market is also being affected. New car sales of the Maruti 800, the second-cheapest car in India, dropped by 20% and used model sales dropped by 30% immediately before the Nano's introduction.[20]

[edit] Awards

2010 Business Standard Motoring Indian car of the year[48] 2010 Bloomberg UTV-Autocar car of the year[49] 2010 Edison Awards, first place in the transportation category[50] 2010 Good Design Awards, in the category of transportation [51]

[edit] In the media

Small Wonder: The Making of Nano is a book about the creation of the Tata Nano.[52] Tata Group launched a Tata Nano GoldPlus, a 24K Gold plated version of the Nano car to celebrate the 5000 years of Jewellery design in India.[53]