Tata Nano

Tata Nano
Overview
Manufacturer	Tata Motors
Production	2008–present
Assembly	Sanand Plant, Sanand, Gujarat, India
Designer	Girish Wagh, Justin Norek, Pierre Castinel
Body and chassis
Class	City car
Body style	4-door one-box
Layout	RR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2 cylinder SOHC petrol Bosch multi-point fuel injection (single injector) all aluminium
Transmission	4 speed synchromesh manual with overdrive in 4th
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,230 mm (87.8 in)
Length	3,099 mm (122.0 in)
Width	1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Height	1,652 mm (65.0 in)
Kerb weight	600–635 kg (1,323–1,400 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Tata GenX Nano

The Tata Nano is a city car manufactured by Tata Motors. Made and sold in India, the Nano was initially launched with a price of one lakh rupees or ₹100,000 (US$1,500), which has increased with time. Designed to lure India's burgeoning middle classes away from two-wheelers, it received much publicity.

Its current price point means the claim "world's cheapest car" remains true today.

History

After having successfully launched the low cost Tata Ace truck in 2005, Tata Motors began development of an affordable car that would appeal to the many Indians who ride motorcycles. 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 labour.

The introduction of the Nano received much media attention due to its low price.

Expectations and effects

Expectations created for the car during the run up to its production may have been out of proportion with its realised success. A 2008 study, by Indian rating agency CRISIL, thought the Nano would expand the nation's car market by 65%, but, as of late 2012, news reports have detailed the underwhelming response of the Indian consumer to the offering; sales in the first two fiscal years after the car's unveiling remained steady at about 70,000 units although Tata appears intent on maintaining a capacity to produce the car in much larger quantities, some 250,000 per year, should the need arise.

It was anticipated that its 2009 debut would greatly affect the used car market, and prices did drop 25–30% prior to the launch. Sales of the Nano's nearest competitor, the Maruti 800, fell by 20% immediately following the unveiling of the Nano. It is unknown if the Nano has had a lasting effect on the prices of and demand for close substitutes, however. In July 2012, Tata's Group chairman Ratan Tata, who retired in January 2014, said that the car had immense potential in the developing world while admitting that early opportunities were wasted due to initial problems.

Singur factory pullout

Main article: Tata Nano Singur controversy

Tata Motors announced in 2006 that the Nano would be manufactured in Singur, West Bengal. Local farmers soon began protesting the forced acquisition of their land the new factory entailed. Tata first delayed the Nano launch and later decided to build the car in a different state, Gujarat, instead.

Price

Announced as the most affordable production car in the world, Tata aimed for a price of one lakh rupees, or ₹100,000, which was approximately $2,000 US at the time. Only the very first customers were able to purchase the car at that price, however, and, as of 2012, the price for the basic Nano is around ₹ 150,000. Increasing material costs may be to blame for this rapid rise in price.

Compared to the Volkswagen Beetle it has a relatively low price, however. In 1990, a Beetle from Mexican factories was priced at $5,300, about $9,600 in today's money. The Ford Model T's initial price was about $850, equivalent to $22,386 today. However, when compared to the Briggs & Stratton Flyer, it has a relatively high price, with the Flyer costing US$125 ($1,767 in 2016).

The second-generation Nano was expected to be sold in the United States by 2015. The original Nano is not street legal in the US, and cannot legally be sold as a grey market import until 2034, when the original 2009 models receive a 25-year exemption from the US Customs and Border Protection. Despite a readily-available dealership network in the US through the Jaguar Land Rover division of Tata, Tata Motors won't use Jaguar Land Rover to sell the Nano.

Cost-cutting features

Tata Nano engine in trunk that's only accessible from inside as a cost reduction feature

Tata Nano dashboard is very simple. CD player and radio on this deluxe model

The car's exterior and interiors were designed at Italy's Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering.

The Nano's design implements many measures to reduce manufacturing costs.

Comparison with the Maruti 800, the Tata Nano's closest competitor:

Tata Nano	Maruti 800
* The Nano's trunk is only accessible from inside the car, as the rear hatch does not open.	* Maruti 800 initially had only an opening rear-windscreen, but later got a full hatchback.
* One windscreen wiper instead of the usual pair (also seen earlier on certain Citroen and Mercedes models)	* Two windscreen wipers.
* No power steering initially, unnecessary due to its light weight. Added in higher variants in later models.	* Power Steering only in higher variants.
* Three lug nuts on the wheels instead of the usual four (also seen on Smart)	* Four lug nuts per wheel.
* Only one wing mirror on base models. Higher variants fitted with passenger side ORVM from 2012 onwards.	* No option for both side ORVMs in any variant.
* Radio or CD player is optional (the idea picked on some basic car models in North America and all basic cars in India)	* Radio/CD Player is optional.
* No airbags on any model	* no airbag in any variant.
* 624cc rear engine has 2 bigger cylinders (312cc each)	* 800cc front engine has 3 smaller cylinders (266cc each).
* No air conditioning in base model (as on most basic car models in Europe and North America)	* No air conditioning in base model
* Front passenger seat same as the driver seat, and the headrests are integrated.	* Front passenger seat same as the driver seat, but headrests separate. Later models switched to integrated headrests.
* Thinner 135/70-R12 space saver spare tyre.	* Full size spare tyre.
* No external fuel filler cap. Fuel inlet is accessed by opening the front hood.	* External fuel filler cap.
* Front door power windows only offered on highest variant. PW switches placed on central console rather than on door pads.	* Front door power windows only offered on highest variant.

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 Bharat Stage 4 Indian Emissions Standards, which are roughly equivalent to Euro 4.

The development of the Nano had led to 31 design and 37 technology patents being filed.

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 Robert Bosch GmbH
	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
	Torque: 51 N⋅m (38 ft⋅lbf) @ 3000 +/-500 rpm
Layout and Transmission	Rear wheel drive
	4-speed manual transmission
Steering	mechanical rack and pinion w/o servo
	Turning radius: 4 metres
Performance	Acceleration: 0-60 km/h (37 mph): 30 seconds
	Maximum speed: 105 km/h (65 mph)
	Fuel efficiency (overall): 25.35 kilometres per litre (4.24 litres per 100 kilometres (66.6 mpg‑imp; 55.5 mpg‑US))
Body and dimensions	Seat belt: 4
	Trunk capacity: 150 L (5.3 cu ft)
Suspension, Tires & Brakes	Front brake: 180 mm drum
	Rear brake: 180 mm drum
	Front track: 1,325 mm (52.2 in)
	Rear track: 1,315 mm (51.8 in)
	Ground clearance: 180 mm (7.1 in)
	Front suspension: MacPherson strut with lower A arm
	Rear suspension: Independent coil spring
	12-inch wheels

Supplier	Part/system
Texspin	Clutch Bearings
Bosch	Oxygen sensor, Gasoline injection system (diesel will follow), starter, alternator, brake system
Continental AG	Gasoline fuel supply system, fuel level sensor
Caparo	Inner structural panels
HSI AUTO	Static sealing systems (Weather Strips)
Delphi	Instrument cluster
Rane Madras Limited	Steering Assembly
Denso	Windshield wiper system (single motor and arm)
FAG Kugelfischer	Rear-wheel bearing
Federal-Mogul	Pistons, Piston rings, Spark plugs, Gaskets, Systems protection
Ficosa	Rear-view mirrors, interior mirrors, manual and CVT shifters, washer system
Freudenberg	Engine sealing
GKN	Driveshafts
INA	Shifting elements
ITW Deltar	Outside and inside door handles
Johnson Controls	Seating
Mahle	Camshafts, spin-on oil filters, fuel filters and air cleaners
Saint-Gobain	Glass
TRW	Brake system
Ceekay Daikin/Valeo	Clutch sets
Vibracoustic	Engine mounts
Visteon	Air induction system
ZF Friedrichshafen AG	Chassis components, including tie rods
Behr	HVAC for the luxury version
Dürr	Lean Paint Shop

Alternative powerplants

While the Nano is driven by a petrol engine, several more-radical powerplants have been proposed but not put into production. Also, an upscale version was shown at an autoshow.

Compressed-air engine

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

Electric vehicle

Tata has discussed the possibility of producing an electric version, and while it showcased an electric vehicle Nano at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, no such car is currently on the market.

If an EV Nano is sold it is expected to be the highly affordable electric car, use lithium-ion batteries, and have a range of 80 miles (130 km). A Norwegian electric car specialist, Miljøbil Grenland AS, has been named as a supposed partner in the project.

Bi-fuel variant

The Nano CNG emax is launched in October 2013. It can run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas. Initially, it will be sold in Delhi and parts of Maharashtra and Lucknow, where CNG is available at fuel outlets.

Tata Super Nano

In December 2014, Coimbatore-based JA Motorsport presented a 230 hp 1.3-liter engined version of the Nano called the 'Super Nano' at the Autocar Performance Show. Featuring a full body kit, slick tyres, a bolt-on roll cage, and smoked head and taillamps, the Super Nano featured carbon fibre components, Recaro seats, and steering-mounted paddle shifters.

European export

A Nano Europa concept car

An upscale Nano concept car called the Europa was shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. However, there has been no progress towards producing or marketing this upscale specification.

Car fires

There were reports of several fire incidents involving the Nano. The company denied those were connected to the car's design or its parts and blamed "foreign electrical equipment" found on top of the exhaust system. The company offered to retrofit the exhaust and electrical systems but refused to recall the cars. Tata extended the warranty on the car, including those already sold, from 18 months to four years in early December 2010.

Reception

The Nano has received a tepid reception from Indian consumers. Reasons given have included that it is still too expensive compared with a motorcycle. Although it is identified as the most affordable car, a secondhand car that was more expensive when new has more social cachet. The fires and other safety issues have also been nominated.

Crash safety

In 2014 a Nano was crashed for NCAP by ADAC in Germany. Despite Tata's claim that it was expecting 4 stars, the Nano actually got zero stars for adult protection and didn't meet even basic UN safety requirements.

Sales

Nominal factory output is 250,000 pa

FY 2009–2010 30,000 approx

FY 2010–2011 70,432

FY 2011–2012 74,527

FY 2012–2013 53,848

FY 2013–2014 21,129

FY 2014–2015 16,903

Awards

• 2010 Business Standard Motoring Indian car of the year
• 2010............. Bloomberg UTV-Autocar car of the year
• 2010 Edison Awards, first place in the transportation category
• 2010 Good Design Awards, in the category of transportation
• 2014 India's Most Trusted hatchback car according to The Brand Trust Report 2014 edition.

In the media

• Small Wonder: The Making of Nano–a book about the creation of the Tata Nano.
• A Megafactories episode on this vehicle.

See also

• Tata Pixel
• Singur Tata Nano controversy
• City car
• Tata Ace
• Tata Magic Iris
• Bajaj RE60

External links

• Tata Nano – Official product page