Is New Tata Nano the World’s Most Fuel Efficient Petrol Car?
Struggling Indian car company Tata Motors has announced the commercial launch of the Tata Nano, the most fuel-efficient petrol-driven car in India, and quite possibly the world.
The Tata Nano, keenly anticipated across India since its unveiling early last year, is capable of an incredible 23.6km/litre (55.5 mpg) and ultra-low carbon emissions of 101 g/km, one of the lowest in India. Oh, and with prices starting at about 100,000 rupees ($2,050), it’s also the cheapest car in the world (more pics after the jump).
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Speaking at the launch, Chairman Ratan N. Tata said, “The Nano represents the spirit of breaking conventional barriers. It is to the credit of the team at Tata Motors that a car once thought impossible by the world is now a reality. I hope it will provide safe, affordable, four-wheel transportation to families who till now have not been able to own a car.
The four-seater Nano is powered by a 2-cylinder engine capable of delivering a top speed of 105 km/h (65 mph), more than enough for many of India’s congested cities.
The cars, on display across India from April 1st, are currently being manufactured at the company’s Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand in limited numbers. A new dedicated plant, at Sanand in Gujarat, will be ready in 2010 with an annualised capacity of 350,000 cars.
Writer’s Note - Tata are claiming that the Tata Nano will become the most fuel efficient car in India. I’d be really interested to hear your comments on whether or not it will also be the most efficient in the world, or whether you’re aware of any more frugal cars in the US or elsewhere?
Image Credit - Tata Motors
TaTa motors is also the same company that was supposed to put 6,000 “air cars” on the streets of India back in 2008. I haven’t verified that this has happened yet, but if so, then wouldn’t that be the most fuel efficient car in India? However, if they are comparing to cars that are soley petro-based, they may be correct. I don’t see the Nano doing so good here with the 65MPH cap, especially since all the safety and comfort regulations would take the car up to closer to a $10K price tag I’m sure.
This car would do great hear if they can keep the price down below 3-4k. Give me a 3 year 50k mile warranty and I’m sold.
Would that even pass safety standards for the US?
Golf carts don’t count as cars. While it may be great for headlines, 55.5 mpg isn’t that impressive given the weight of the car. Lets see 60mpg in a car that weighs over 3000lbs and has over 200 HP.
I think if it came to America it would only have one car to compete against and that’s the Smart Car (MSRP $11K-16K). As long as the price stays a couple thousand less than that the Nano would do quite well in America, barring the safety modifications. More info on the story here, http://www.newsy.com/videos/world_s_cheapest_car_hits_market/
What blows my mind is how little progress we’ve made. 55 MPG is no better than the rating on the stick shift version of my old 1989 Geo Metro convertible. All these years we’ve been studying electronic fuel ignition and other means of improving gasoline engine efficiency, and we still can’t do any better than we were doing 20 years ago? Did we completely waste those 20 years?
a few facts /-
1) “Struggling…”
Its not only TATAs whos facing the deep turn in the auto industry. - every major auto car maker is(Ford,GM,Chrysler,dodge u name it.In fact the US layoffs are stupendous compared to the asian market.
2) The whole auto industry GLOBALLY is in turmoil.
Thats why a lot of things promised in the US and Asia could not be delivered.
But the NANO HAS- with all the recession, nay-sayers , eco-alarmists, Its here to stay and lead.
The NANO has proven to be the new benchmark and copy-cats are trying to fill in a whole new new segment in the industry.
3) Simple is beautiful. Thats what the TATA Nano teaches and preaches. Its spartan ingenuity gets the job done to make millions mobile- by shedding “excesses” and re-thinking “Needs”.
4) Ratan Tata is not a madoff or an auto-pyramd scheme. Hes an old schooler like Henry Ford .
Thats sheer guts and perseverence .
5)Its not hype like a lot of what u see today.
Its a car - that works and is in touch with what Indians, Africans and any developing nations people aspire for.
In the book “Two Billion Cars,” the authors say that in the past twenty years, fuel efficiency has stayed roughly the same. Technology has advanced, but instead of making the cars more fuel efficient, the cars have become more powerful while keeping the same mpg.
That is why we aren’t doing any better than we were twenty years ago. There was no financial incentive to increase fuel economy. Consumers wanted more power.
Here’s to hoping that changes. Can anyone actually say that there is a logical benefit to owning a V8?
Agree with the comments about the mileage. In 1977 my future ex wife bought a Datsun B210 and averaged 51 MPG without trying. This thing(and the Smart Car) should get at least 70 to 80 mpg to be the least bit impressive.
“What blows my mind is how little progress we’ve made. 55 MPG is no better than the rating on the stick shift version of my old 1989 Geo Metro convertible. All these years we’ve been studying electronic fuel ignition and other means of improving gasoline engine efficiency, and we still can’t do any better than we were doing 20 years ago? Did we completely waste those 20 years?”
Two points. 1) The Geo Metro, even back then, cost $6-7K new. (nothing against Metros…I’ve had two) 2) This car is so cheap, I bet the engine and transmission are pretty low on the technology totem-pole. Stick in an expensive engine with variable valve timing, 4-valves-per-cyl, direct-injection, and a more expensive 6-spd (or continuously variable) transmission and I bet you’d get close to 70 mpg. Of course, you’ll pay a lot more for it too.
Today was the landmark day for booking of nano- the prizecash car of india which ended on happy note but not for tata management group. when nano project was announced it faced many hurdles but tata management company took the project as a challenge and announce that it would be completed in a year. it had to shift its base and completed all the formalities in time. it faced much more difficulties like global recession and militant attacks on other tata projects. tata management hold all the hurdles and adopted one mantra “go set go” and completed its promise. the D day came and car was put to booking all over the country. the booking stopped today and intial report published indicated in all the papers as less than expected by tata group. yes, by now tata management must had analysed the reason for its short fall. I had an oppurtunity to view and sit in the nano car in chandigarh. My first impression was far from expectation. i would suggest some modification before u again extend the booking all over india as per indications.
1) first and foremost is while sitting in driver seat one feels perturbed and not safe to drive the car. the front view is not safe. the front oval shape of the car blocks the view of the road in front. in view of large scale traffic in city one should feel safe to travel.
2)absence of dicky in the car is also disvantage to people who are to undertake short jourbeys from their house.
though finance was no problem yet the low booking was due to these important factors which have led to less than expectations. this need immediate modification if the booking has to be extended.