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January 10, 2008

What's Bigger

The iPod Nano or the Tata Nano

Amidst all the glitz, glamor and horsepower that surround the Detroit auto show, we’d almost forgotten that a motor show was being held in New Delhi, India. The most notable unveiling, Tata’s Nano, is designed to carry a price tag below $2500 - and is virtually the antithesis of anything being shown in Detroit.

Looking not unlike the offspring of a Ford Th!nk and a Mitsubishi i, the Nano is a small, five-door, four-passenger hatchback. By small, we mean small; the car measures in at just under 3.1 meters (11 ft) long, and 1.5 meters ( 5 ft) wide. Nanos will be powered by a 623-cc gasoline engine (how many cylinders is currently unknown) capable of 33 horsepower. Coupled through a four-speed manual transmission, the micro car supposedly can reach a top speed of around 105 km/h (65 mph).

Looks like the engine is a 2 cylinder monster.

Who needs AC in India?

Posted by Mr. Bingley at January 10, 2008 06:54 AM

Comments

I still can't get past the idea that it seats four people.

Posted by: Kate P at January 10, 2008 12:03 PM

They had these types of wee little cars in England when I was over there this summer. I am sure they cost more, but the ones I saw were TWO seater's. They looked like glorified kiddie pullers you attach to the back of a bike.

Posted by: Jenn at January 10, 2008 12:56 PM

"Hey look - tiny Tatas!"

Posted by: mojo at January 10, 2008 01:19 PM

Haha, that's it exactly , Jenn!

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at January 10, 2008 01:20 PM

Buwahaha, mojo!

I guess that means no airbags...

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at January 10, 2008 01:22 PM

Well, it's interesting to flip around the channels on the radio at lunchtime and hear someone say that this affordable little car could have a serious impact on the quality of life for a lot of citizens. I hadn't thought of it that way, but if it's anything like when I got my first car, that's cool. Although I pray there aren't any Truck vs. Nano accidents. Yikes.

Posted by: Kate P at January 10, 2008 01:52 PM

Kate - given the congestion on India's roads, those Truck vs. Tata incidents are likely to happen at 3 mph, so no worries.

Posted by: John at January 10, 2008 02:01 PM

Good point, John.

Posted by: Kate P at January 10, 2008 02:32 PM

Looks like an escape pod for my Honda Accord.

Posted by: Gunslinger at January 10, 2008 05:22 PM

Kate - the target market for this is all the families that currently travel on 2 wheelers (scooters, motorbikes) that want to upgrade to a car they can afford. This car is expected to be 40 times safer than those 2 wheelers, so I guess relatively speaking this is a big step up in safety.

Posted by: Steve at January 12, 2008 09:39 PM