Nano

unit731 · June 26, 2010

Automotive News -- June 21, 2010 - 12:01 am ET

REGENSBURG, Germany - Jason Stein -- Putt, putt, putt ...

If the world's most inexpensive vehicle is big on global ambition, it doesn't sound like it.

A Toro lawn mower sounds like a Ferrari next to the world famous, rear-engine Tata Nano.

From the turn of the key on the right-hand-drive beige Nano CX -- our test car for a supplier program here -- the word "basic" feels like a stretch.

Rudimentary. Shockingly primitive. And one heck of a deal if all you need is Point A to Point B with rain cover.

After some "hot" laps around a track in Bavaria, a few things are clear about the little car that will make the masses move.

First, it's all about getting people moving in India. It's perfect in a country where carpooling appears to be on steroids -- imagine driving four of your friends to work ... on a motorcycle. With the Nano, they can travel in style. The rear bench seat is spacious, and three could easily slide in for the ride.

Second, the car doesn't overdeliver on its price tag.

For $2,500 (or about $2 per pound of curb weight), you get air conditioning and a radio.

The windows are not automatic. Neither are the locks.

There are four doors, but there's no access to the trunk from outside the car. That's where the 623cc, 35-hp engine sits, getting up to 60 mph -- on an airport runway.

The 12-inch wheels belong on a golf cart, which makes turning on a track an adventure.

Up front, the center console makes a BMW 7 series look like the cockpit of the Airbus A380. We're talking two round air vents below a speedometer (no tachometer), a fan and temperature control and that radio. That's it.

Realistically, a 1970s Volkswagen Beetle feels more comfortable. But who needs comfort when you are moving the masses?

So fire up the lawn mower, roll down the windows, pack five people and make like it's the turn of the century -- because it is.

A whole new century and a whole new approach to mobility.

Putt, putt, putt

truckofwinandawesome · June 26, 2010

The Tata Nano is a Glorified Roller Skate that has 35 HP, ans only 1,322 Lbs. if we ever tried to pull one of these "cars" out of a muddy ditch with our trucks, it would probably launch the it into a Low Earth Orbit!

TexasAl · June 27, 2010

We'll, I wouldn't mind one of those as a car to drive around in the ranch, or perhaps use if you live in a small town with little traffic. I don't think you can get a Polaris for that much.

C. Charles Hahn · June 27, 2010

We'll, I wouldn't mind one of those as a car to drive around in the ranch, or perhaps use if you live in a small town with little traffic. I don't think you can get a Polaris for that much.

I'd sooner pay the extra for a Polaris, frankly. Or just get a golf cart.