$2500 Tata's

[Analog]

NEW DELHI ? India?s Tata Motors on Thursday unveiled its much anticipated $2,500 car, an ultracheap price tag that suddenly brings car ownership into the reach of tens of millions of people across the world.

While the price has created a buzz, critics say the vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will lead to millions more cars hitting already clogged Indian roads, adding to mounting air and noise pollution problems. Others have said Tata will have to sacrifice quality and safety standards to meet the target price.

Company Chairman Ratan Tata has said the car will be the least polluting car on the Indian roads and meet necessary safety standards.

Chief U.N. climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri, who shared last year?s Nobel Peace Prize, said last month that ?I am having nightmares? about the prospect of the low-cost car.

While introducing the car at an auto show in New Delhi, Tata said the Nano had passed emission standards and would average about 50 miles per gallon.

?Dr. Pachauri need not have nightmares,? Tata said.

Dealers will sell the car for 100,000 rupees ? $2,500 ? but customers will pay slightly more than that due to taxes and other charges.

I see it's posted in OT with the title to get the reaction in OT that the first post got. However, there's a garage forum for talk about cars. -DrPizza
.

 

[MichaelD]

Heheheh..."tatas".....heheheheheh....

 

[TwiceOver]

I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

 

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

Size, comfort, features, airconditioning, airbags, safety construction, more powerful, slightly different testing methods I imagine.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

That's because the average consumer wants to drive a huge, heavy monster which makes a lot of noise. Then take into account that the fuel prices in the US are a lot lower than in for example Europe, and that the oil companies and car manufacturers have bought enough politicians to block most efficiency laws.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

This is why

The Nano has a small, rear-mounted 33bhp, 624cc engine but no air conditioning, electric windows or power steering in the basic model, although two deluxe versions will be available

Plus, the car looks to be the size of one of Shaq's shoes.

 

[mwmorph]

As americans we have slightly different needs to say the least. 30hp and a 4 speed manual just wont cut it for those of us that actually need to go anywhere, like say... work.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

This is why

The Nano has a small, rear-mounted 33bhp, 624cc engine but no air conditioning, electric windows or power steering in the basic model, although two deluxe versions will be available

Plus, the car looks to be the size of one of Shaq's shoes.

Tata argued the new car would be better and safer than most motorcycles on India's roads.

:laugh:

 

[TwiceOver]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

This is why

The Nano has a small, rear-mounted 33bhp, 624cc engine but no air conditioning, electric windows or power steering in the basic model, although two deluxe versions will be available

Plus, the car looks to be the size of one of Shaq's shoes.

I have a 2 mile commute... I'd drive it. And hell, I'd splurge for the "Deluxe" model, what, a whopping $500 for those features.

Fill up once every 2-3 months. Hell all in I'd pay less in ten years that I would in 1 with my current economy car.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

This is why

The Nano has a small, rear-mounted 33bhp, 624cc engine but no air conditioning, electric windows or power steering in the basic model, although two deluxe versions will be available

Plus, the car looks to be the size of one of Shaq's shoes.

My car has a bigger engine (998CC, 67bhp) with A/C, electric windows and power steering, and gets 60mpg. It weighs about 900kg.

 

[reeserock]

I would buy one for local driving.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

I think the average Indian guy would rather get a ~$2000 Enfield Thunderbird and a Gore-Tex jacket (for the monsoon) and just call it a day. /shrug

Indians like cheap stuff (who doesn't?) but seriously, with the kind of crazy traffic we have here, who is going to trust a $2500 vehicle to keep them safe should the unthinkable happen? Most new cars sold in urban centers (typically compacts from Hyundai, Suzuki) start around $10K and the rural areas are happy with their built-like-tanks, no-frills, no-doors 4WDs - which are essential if you want to drive on the bumpy highways.

I recently drove from Hyderabad to Goa - a 434 mile journey. You want to know the average speed for the trip? A little less than 40mph. Sure, there are a few stretches of highway where you can go 120mph, but there are also plenty of sections where you struggle to maintain 15mph. What guy living in some remote Indian village is going to drive this bucket of bolts? Most people are calling it a glorified auto-rickshaw.

The average young adult isn't going to drive this. Any dude with a family will probably not trust this. I am really not seeing the market for this. Or maybe I'm just oblivious?

<---Average Indian Guy

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

This is why

The Nano has a small, rear-mounted 33bhp, 624cc engine but no air conditioning, electric windows or power steering in the basic model, although two deluxe versions will be available

Plus, the car looks to be the size of one of Shaq's shoes.

My car has a bigger engine (998CC, 67bhp) with A/C, electric windows and power steering, and gets 60mpg. It weighs about 900kg.

What car is that? Seriously, I'm curious...

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

This is why

The Nano has a small, rear-mounted 33bhp, 624cc engine but no air conditioning, electric windows or power steering in the basic model, although two deluxe versions will be available

Plus, the car looks to be the size of one of Shaq's shoes.

My car has a bigger engine (998CC, 67bhp) with A/C, electric windows and power steering, and gets 60mpg. It weighs about 900kg.

What car is that? Seriously, I'm curious...

maybe he meant KM? thats about 37 Miles which is still pretty good, but no where near 60 miles

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
What car is that? Seriously, I'm curious...

It's a Toyota Aygo.

Ignore the stripes in that pic 😛 Mine looks like this.

(just noticed that's a 3-door, mine is a 5-door with room for 3 or 4 passengers)

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: pontifex
maybe he meant KM? thats about 37 Miles which is still pretty good, but no where near 60 miles

No, it's MPG (imperial measure).

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: pontifex
maybe he meant KM? thats about 37 Miles which is still pretty good, but no where near 60 miles

No, it's MPG (imperial measure).

Hmm,

Why aren't those in the US?

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I still can't figure out why we spend 10-20 times that amount on our cars and still can't get 50+ mpg. Hell 40+.

Have you seen this car? It makes my Scion xA look huge. It's like two motorcycles with a plastic egg on top.

(BTW- My xA cost about $14000 nicely equiped and gets 38-40MPG on the hwy, 33-35 city. It's a 4 door, automatic, AC, nice stereo w/CD/MP3, and it's agile as all get out 🙂 ).

 

[Pabster]

Nice mileage. But I couldn't fit one leg in that car. :laugh:

You have the petrol model, not the diesel, right?

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: Analog
Hmm,

Why aren't those in the US?

They're probably worried it wouldn't sell due to the size or performance and I know people on here often say they need a spacious and comfortable car. I'm 6 foot tall, and there's still 3 or 4 inches of headroom so it would be comfortable for a longer journey. As for performance, I rarely get over 50mph round here so I don't notice that often. The engine makes a funny growling sound so combine that with its size/handling and it's like driving a go-kart 🙂

It would also have to pass US emissions/regulations although that shouldn't be a huge problem. I did find some articles saying it might go over to the US but they were all from 2006 so I guess it didn't pan out back then. There seems to be a growing dissatisfaction with the current offerings over there (especially for fuel economy), so maybe if people keep downsizing, cars like this will get a look-in.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: Pabster
Nice mileage. But I couldn't fit one leg in that car. :laugh:

You have the petrol model, not the diesel, right?

I have the petrol with manual transmission. They stopped making the diesel, I don't think there was much demand for it.

As I said before, unless you're a basketball player, you should fit. Deceptive picture is deceptive 😛

 

[fallenangel99]

India's horrendous infrastructure needs to be fixed.. first..

 

[TruePaige]

Anyone who "marvels" at the cheapness needs to realize it's a POS car.

Small, unsafe, and for most people that need a car that cheap, unwanted.

 

[skyking]

At that price, I could afford a pair of Tatas

 

[bigrash]

I wonder if Tata's deal to buy Jaguar will go through. If it does, can you imagine a Jaguar Nano? 🙂