$2,500 Tatas

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As if we couldn't get more excited about the Delhi Auto Show, the $2,500 Tata will be on display for the first time. The car will have four doors, a rear-mounted engine and probably not much in the way of safety features (they'll save all of those for Jaguar). The automaker will also offer a version with more features, such as a roof and steering wheel.

Responding to criticism from some that the 250,000 to 500,000 cars they plan to sell each year will clog up roads and pollute the environment, CEO Ratan Tata has said the car will be the least polluting vehicle on the road (less polluting than a bike?). There are many questions still unanswered, including how long it'll take to stick a Hayabusa mill in one.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

I was highly disappointed in what was in this thread from what the title promised...

 

[altspace]

I can see it now. Talking to the girl at the bar and she asks what you drive. Your reply, "A brand new Tata!"

 

[ZoomZoomH]

[random Indian family household]
husband: honey guess what I got you for your birthday!
wife: what?
husband: a brand new set of Tatas!!
[wife pummels husband]

 

[scnzzz]

Two thing for sure with this car:

1. I'll guarantee you that it'll fit at least eight people in taxi form. Granted, breathing or keeping all limbs within the car are optional.
2. Doesn't really matter what sort of mill it has. If they are on Indian roads, they aren't likely to be moving anywhere anytime soon. Sort of kills the need for side curtain airbags and yaw control...

 

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[coolmazda5]

A good read from Wired Magazine, so found it online (includes video):
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/01/say-hello-to-th.html


Tata says the car's got a 623 cc 2-cylinder engine, and the New York Times, in an excellent story looking at just how Tata built a $2,500 car (answer - eliminate everything that isn't absolutely necessary to make it accelerate, turn or stop), says it produces 30 to 35 horsepower. That's less than all but the smallest motorcycles.

Don't expect to see a Nano tooling around your neighborhood. Beyond the fact Tata doesn't have dealer network in the United States (although it is about to take Land Rover and Jaguar off Ford's hands), the Nano almost certainly wouldn't meet U.S. emissions and safety regulations.

The pic source:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2008/112_news100801_tata_nano_unveiled/

 

[coolmazda5]

Oh, question... Can it double as a lawn mower? I read somewhere that a lawn mower pollutes 10 times more than a regular car.

 

[sanblaster]

those looked like the fantanas coming out of the car.

 

[TreFlip999]

Would DG do a wide body kit for it ya think? looks like a scion concoction

 

[bova80]

these tata's were more than $2500, haha

 

[genericuser]

I was highly disappointed in what was in this thread from what the title promised...

Yeah.. I expected this thread to be about cheap boobs.

 

[TinmanMS6]

In related news:

Chrysler LLC is at it again; this time, with a development contract with Tata Motors Ltd. The deal would have Chrysler’s Global Electric Motorcars division developing an electric version of Tata’s mini-truck, Ace according to the Business Line (via Reuters).
Tata will begin exporting 10,000 units stateside by the end of the year – hopefully, increasing to 50,000 units soon thereafter.
A Tata spokesman told the paper, “We are indeed exploring the feasibility of a vehicle on the Ace platform with an electric engine suitable for the U.S., in collaboration with a U.S. company.”
Tata’s standard Ace model features a two-cylinder, 16 horsepower, 0.7-liter diesel engine and four-speed transmission. The tiny truck tops out at 40 mph and is a hair over 12 feet in length.
The electric version of the Ace will, likely, be used as an onsite utility vehicle for businesses.

 

[coolmazda5]

(lol). E-Z-GO, you better watch out, not just golf courses target market anymore...

 

[altspace]

Woah horsie!

 

[Flash5]

sweet rims, sittin on 12s...love to see this thing in a comparison test with a model t.

 

[flipstylex]

nice