REPORT: Tata already tweaking Nano based on market feedback
Tata Nano - Click above for high-res image gallery
At roughly $2,500, the Tata Nano is the world's most affordable car – but that apparently hasn't stopped early customers from griping about some of the vehicle's shortcomings. Thankfully, those complaints aren't falling on deaf ears, either, as Tata Motors will reportedly make some subtle yet significant changes to the mini car within the next six months. One major complaint is the Nano's leisurely acceleration, which is to be expected in any vehicle with 33 horsepower. To remedy the situation, Tata Motors engineers will reportedly crank the engine's 5,000 RPM red line up to a more respectable 6,000 RPM, which should help add more pickup. Also under consideration is a five-speed manual gearbox, though the Indian market Nano will likely continue to with just four forward gears.
Autocar India is reporting that the Nano's electronically limited 65 mph speed limit will remain due to safety concerns, though Tata engineers say the low speed limit renders the fifth gear obsolete. That said, the the planned Euro Nano will only be available as a five speed. Another improvement that should make Nano owners happy is the reported addition of an actual tailgate. The current Nano is hatchless in the interest of lower cost, build complexity, and structural rigidity, and anyone who wants to add or subtract cargo has to do so by folding down the rear seat and going through the doors. Other changes include a new side mirror assembly that will make way for future of power mirrors and a "check strap" for limiting how far the door opens.
While those changes will definitely improve the Nano, we're hoping the mods don't come at the price of, well, a higher price. Either way, it's nice to see that Tata Motors appears to be taking the suggestions of its new customers seriously.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chubaka 4:12PM (11/13/2009)
It's so great to hear how a car that's been built to be so affordable and available to such a large audience is continually improved to address the concerns of the same audience.
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DiRF 4:14PM (11/13/2009)
You can only access the luggage compartment in the back by going through the side-doors and folding the seats down? That's just like my dad's '81 Corvette... I imagine the acceleration is about the same, too...
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Mike 4:30PM (11/13/2009)
if you would have said 86 vette i would have said zing....
DiRF 5:19PM (11/13/2009)
The '86 Corvette had 40 more hp than the '81.
dukeisduke 5:35PM (11/13/2009)
Actually, it's more like the Austin-built Nash Metropolitan of the '50s. Only in the last three years was an external trunk lid added (and even then it was more like a little hatch on top of the trunk). Before that, to put in luggage, you had to fold down the seatback (which came with a key lock, BTW). The spare tire was mounted on the back, Continental kit style. I once knew an old man that owned a couple of Mets, and I helped restore one of them (interior work, electrical troubleshooting, etc.)
planetautomatic 4:18PM (11/13/2009)
Excellent. This car will evolve into a legend. The Tatas are slowwly but surely learning and crafting their path breaker . What they need to do is churn out these cars , get the R&D settled in at a uch faster rate. Africa, Latin America and a ton of other countries need this vhicle and they should dish it out ASAP. Good luck to the Cute Nano !
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ForgedInternals 4:20PM (11/13/2009)
It's Hatchless??
Does the rear glass atleast open? If not that seems like a cheap way to fix the cargo problem without reducing too much structral integrity.
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montoym 4:31PM (11/13/2009)
Yes it's hatchless, no the rear glass doesn't open.
It's main goal is to be cheap, considering the incredibly low price, additions such as those were deleted in order to meet the price point.
homunculus 4:20PM (11/13/2009)
it's a good idea to tweak tatas after some feedback.
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HotRodzNKustoms 4:25PM (11/13/2009)
We have trained professionals that can tweak them.
montoym 4:29PM (11/13/2009)
insert rimshot here >
MeiSooHaityu 4:29PM (11/13/2009)
I can understand some things they mentioned, but the 5 speed and the hatch seem like things I wouldn't change. If your target is to be really cheap, why add cost adding additions as what I imagine would be standard equipment. If you want functionality, might want to buy a nicer car anyway.
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montoym 4:30PM (11/13/2009)
Yes it's hatchless, no the rear glass doesn't open.
It's main goal is to be cheap, considering the incredibly low price, additions such as those were deleted in order to meet the price point.
Reply
montoym 4:32PM (11/13/2009)
reply error
naturalyshocked 5:01PM (11/13/2009)
it's not that bad, the shape is cool, but the rims to small!!!
tat do something about it.
: )
i would buy one
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rawanduntamed 8:09PM (11/13/2009)
Makes my old Jeep Wrangler look like a lexus lol. Why not just have just the rear glass open up and make it a little more accessable rather than a hatch. Good idea this car.
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dukeisduke 5:38PM (11/13/2009)
Actually, it's more like the Austin-built Nash Metropolitan of the '50s. Only in the last three years was an external trunk lid added (and even then it was more like a little hatch on top of the trunk). Before that, to put in luggage, you had to fold down the seatback (which came with a key lock, BTW). The spare tire was mounted on the back, Continental kit style. I once knew an old man that owned a couple of Mets, and I helped restore one of them (interior work, electrical troubleshooting, etc.)
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dukeisduke 5:41PM (11/13/2009)
The one that doesn't make sense is leaving off the door check straps. I wonder how many Nano doors have flipped back and/or sprung in the wind? That would sure hack me off.
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GMan 6:07PM (11/13/2009)
I think it's funny how people spend $2500 on a car and then complain about it.
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Amit 8:11PM (11/13/2009)
Dude because 2500 USD is a big deal in India !!
not kidding ...