Autoblog

click above to view more high-res images of the Tata Nano

Tata has pulled the wraps off its long-discussed and highly-anticipated 1-lakh (around $2,500) car. The orb-like Tata Nano was unveiled at the New Delhi Auto Expo today, boasting a 30-horsepower 624-cc engine; a four-speed manual transmission; a disc/drum brake setup; room for five (based on the above photo); and claimed fuel economy of 54 US miles per gallon. There's no power steering, and you'll find more instrumentation on many wristwatches -- the Nano has only a fuel gauge, speedometer, and oil light. Suspension? Well, it has one. Tata claims that the car meets safety and environmental standards (such as Euro IV emissions compliance), and we're sure it won't be long before tests show whether the car is indeed up to snuff in those areas. Say hello to the new "people's car," brought to you by the same folks who hope to sell you Jaguars in the not-so-distant future. We'd say that if all goes as planned, Tata's got just about every possible demographic covered. Thanks for the tip, RV!

UPDATE: Official Tata press release added after jump.
UPDATE 2: Official pics added to gallery.

[Source: Rediff, photos by Manan Vatsyayana/Raveendran for Getty]

Tata Motors is expected become the winning bidder for Jaguar and Land Rover in the coming weeks. While the Indian automaker could soon be selling us expensive British luxury cars and SUVs, it's also hard at work developing the world's least expensive car. The cheap car under development is expected to sell for around 100,000 rupees or around $2,500 USD, and we've just learned it will be unveiled early next month at the Auto Expo in New Delhi.

Unfortunately, that's one auto show not on our itinerary to attend, so we'll have to report of its debut from afar. The car is expected have an engine in the rear powering the rear wheels, four doors and all the creature comforts of an outhouse, we'd presume. While it's likely the car will be exported to other markets outside of India when it goes on sale later in 2008, don't expect to see it in the U.S. as we expect it would fail both our emissions and safety standards with flying colors. (Tata Indica pictured for reference)

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]