First Drive: Tata Nano

The Nano has been the most anticipated car in our short automotive history and could arguably be the most important too. After its rock-star reception at the Delhi Auto Expo over a year ago, the Nano has had a tough gestation period. It lost its home in Singur and until the new factory is built in Sanand, it will be produced in limited numbers in a makeshift facility within Tata Motors’ Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand. The ensuing delay has only created more anticipation and excitement and questions have been flying thick and fast. Does Tata’s little Nano drive and feel like a real car? Can it provide the comfort, performance and security expected of it?After a full day of driving through Pune city, on the highway and on rural back roads, we have the answers.

The Nano is quite a looker. Not only because of the hype it has generated, but because the car looks really good. It looks far more expensive than it is and that itself is half the battle won. This cute looking hatchback is sure to go down well with everyone. The Nano’s mantra somewhat goes with the Indica’s philosophy of giving more for less. For its diminutive size, the Nano is very big on space for its passengers. Clever use of space has meant that headroom and legroom is not only adequate but more than some bigger hatchbacks as well.

The Nano is powered by a 624cc two cylinder petrol engine. It puts out a modest 35bhp (similar to 800) and 4.9kgm of torque. It isn’t quick, but quite adequate for city use and even peppy in the city. It will hit a top speed of 106kph and takes 29.7 seconds to hit 100kph and isn’t very different from driving an 800. Refinement levels are acceptable and vibrations are damped well enough too. Although we haven’t been able to put it through our fuel tests, but we expect it to give about 18kpl in the city which further backs up its economy tag.

Riding on small 12inch wheels and tubeless tyres, the Nano rides surprisingly well. Most bumps are rounded nicely, but as the speeds climb the ride can get a little choppy. The steering has a little vagueness around the centre position, dial in more lock; it feels direct and provides good feedback as well. Grip levels are decent but are limited by the narrow tyres. Straightline stability is also commendable.

So is it a proper car? Yes, it definitely is. It offers better space than even a Santro at the front, while backseat space is quite decent. Comfort levels are good and it will come with an efficient engine as well. It isn’t perfect; owners will want more power and a 5-speed gearbox. But Tata has achieved what it had set out to do – Affordable motoring for the masses.

You can book one for as low as Rs 2,999. In Mumbai you can only get the BSIII versions and the base version of the Tata Nano for Rs 1,34,249; the CX version in solid colours is for Rs 1,60,322, while the metallic colour Nano CX is for Rs 1,63,457; the fully loaded LX version is for Rs 1,85,375 (all prices ex-showroom Mumbai). The BSII variants, where available, are roughly Rs 6,000 cheaper than the BSIII versions. Finance is available for even 7 year periods at interest rates of 11.7-12% which makes it affordable for almost anyone. Deliveries will begin in July and booking forms are available for Rs 300.

Features
The Nano is available in three variants – Nano, Nano CX and Nano LX. The base Nano is a bare bones model and doesn’t get any creature comforts. Even the passenger seat backrest is fixed. The CX gets interior mouldings, air-conditioner and tinted glass. The top-end LX gets front power windows, sunvisors, body coloured bumpers, central locking and fog lamps.

Performance
0-60 - 9.1seconds 0-100 - 29.7seconds Top speed - 106kph 20-80 (3rd gear) - 20.45seconds 40-100 (4th gear) - 46.38seconds
Braking (80-0) - 33.66m 3.07seconds

New Mitsubishi dealership opens in Mumbai

Mitsubishi has opened its third dealership in Mumbai, Autodrome, at Worli.

Mitsubishi has opened its third dealership in Mumbai, Autodrome, at Worli. This dealership is located in the swank Atria Mall, which is one of the city's premiere properties.

Mitsubishi claims the choice of location was specifically to attract a certain demographic of customers, as the mall retails only high-end brands. Keeping Mitsubishi company is Rolls Royce, so Autodrome should see huge number of footfalls.

Also debuting at the new showroom is a refreshed version of the Montero, Mitsubishi's flagship. The biggest visual change is a lot more chrome on the front grille and the option of black leather for the interiors.

The Montero is available in both manual and automatic transmission options, with both being priced identically at Rs 41.94 lakh, ex-showroom, all-India.

Mercedes Benz to expand R&D headcount in India

Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz India plans to revamp research and development (R&D) facility in India by increasing headcount to
1,000 engineers from 200 in its Bangalore facility, a senior company executive said.

Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Wilfried Aulbur told mediapersons on Monday, “Eventually, it will be one of the largest R&D facility of Mercedes outside Germany and will cater to the technical needs of our company.”

Mercedes has slipped to the second slot in the luxury car market. BMW raced past Mercedes in the past two months selling 541 cars.

Mercedes ruled this segment for 12 years sold 346 cars in the January-February period. Mercedes
also plans to invest Rs 150 crore together with its partners and dealers to expand the distribution network in the country.

“We will launch new cars in the market. We have bought land at various locations across the country for setting up showrooms,” Mr Aulbur said.The company has also launched its new SUV M-Class at Rs 50-55 lakh in Delhi, which will be available in both petrol and diesel variants.

Audi to sell 1,500 units in India this year

Luxury car
maker Audi on Tuesday said that it expects to increase its sales volume in the country by 33 per cent, selling about 1,500
units this year on the back of rapid growth in the segment.

"We have already seen a 95 per cent growth rate in the first two months of this year. This is on the lines of our target... We are looking at selling 1,500 units in India this year," Audi India Managing Director Benoit Tiers told PTI.

The German car major sold 113 cars in February this year as against 58 units in the same month last year, an increase of 95 per cent.

Asked if the company expected a fall in demand in the coming days, Tiers said, "Like all car makers globally, we are cautious. But we have seen tremendous growth in the luxury car segment in India and expect this to continue."

"We are now expanding our dealership network to 15 from 12 this year. The dealership in Cochin will come up in April followed by Kolkata and Chennai, which shows our commitment to the market here," he added.