MUMBAI, India — The world's most affordable car is due for small but significant upgrades within the next six months based on market feedback. Chief among them are quicker acceleration and possibly a five-speed transmission. Tata remains under pressure to hold down the price of the Nano, particularly with Renault-Bajaj about to launch a head-to-head competitor.
Tata Motors is working toward improving the performance of the Nano by raising the very conservative 5,000-rpm rev limit to 6,000 rpm to quicken its acceleration, especially in 1st and 2nd gears. The company is also considering a five-speed gearbox, but this may be ruled out for India. For safety reasons, Tata does not want to increase the top speed, currently electronically limited to 65 mph, according to Autocar India.
According to a Tata Motors engineer, the limited 65-mph top speed renders "five gear ratios unnecessary and [adding one] could result in excessive gear changing for the driver." However, the European version of the Nano will have a five-speed regardless.
In the coming months, Tata also expects to add an opening tailgate. The Nano currently features a sealed rear glass unit, and the only way to access the small luggage area is from inside the car by folding down the rear seats. Tata Motors' engineers have now designed a tailgate that meets with company chief Ratan Tata's requirement for a design that does not feature exposed hinges.
Other changes for India include a modified side-mirror assembly, pending government approval. Currently, the entire mirror unit has to be moved to adjust the angle; the new design allows the mirror to move within the housing, opening the possibility of electrically powered mirrors in the future. Small niceties like a "check strap" to limit the door opening will also be introduced.
Tata Motors is taking advantage of the limited capacity in its Uttaranchal plant to tweak the Nano before production is shifted to the upcoming main plant at Sanand in Gujarat, which should be ready by the end of 2010. At that point, production could jump from the current 4,000 units to 20,000 units a month.
Inside Line says: Changes should add to the Nano's appeal. — Hormazd Sorabjee, Correspondent
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kdizzle says:
02:42 PM, 11/15/2009
Are you kidding me insideline?
You give us info about the Tata Nano, which has yet to add an opening tailgate, and will never come Stateside, yet fail to give u detailed info on the hottest hatches and sedans coming from the European automakesrs for the Euro markets? We care more about those cars than this. Much more.