Tata Nano, the dream project of Mr. Ratan Tata was introduced so that people could shift from two to four wheels. But, the not many two wheeler owners took the plunge. Mostly because of the cheapest car tag which came along with Nano.
First launched in 2008, not many buyers fancied a car which would take a direct aim at their social status. The result, their manufacturing plant in Sanand, with capacity to produce 240,000 cars annually, left under-utilized as Nano sales averaged at about 2,000 units monthly.
Many experts have questioned the existence of Nano. But, Tata Motors is unfazed. They continue to renovate / innovate their small car wonder. A little over two years ago, Tata Motors launch Nano Twist, a new variant with power-steering. Now, Tata Motors is getting ready to launch yet another Nano variant, and Tata is hopeful that with this variant, the cheap car tag will be wiped off from Nano.
This new variant is called Tata Nano GenX. To be powered by the same 624 cc twin cylinder petrol engine, offering 38 PS peak power and 51 Nm peak, the highlight of Nano GenX (facelift), is that it has been thoroughly updated. The front and rear bumper design give the Nano a fresh new look, blackened headlamps, fuel tank capacity increased from 15 litres to 24 litres, and an openable boot with 110 litre space. Interiors will sport new colours, updated central console, revised dashboard layout and a three spoke steering wheel.
Earlier boot was accessible by folding down rear seats, which many owners complained about. Apparently, all the changes you will notice in the new Nano, are because of existing Nano owners. Tata Motors conducted extensive customer orientation sessions to find what exactly the existing customers complained or didnt like about the Nano.
Apart from the usual 4 speed manual transmission, there is also the AMT gearbox which will be on offer. This variant will come with a F-Tronic badge. Already spied undsguised in Pune, Nano AMT will deliver a fuel efficiency of 21.9 kmpl. This means, New Nano AMT will be the most affordable and most economical automatic car in India.
Tata Nano GenX AMT frontThe AMT gearbox will also feature a creep function. This is a function which is only seen in premium automatic cars. Once you put the car in ‘D’ (drive) mode, the minute you take foot off the brake pedal, the car starts moving forward (at a slow pace) without you placing your foot on the accelerator pedal. In slow moving, bumper to bumper traffic, this feature is a boon. Tata Nano AMT will be the first car to get this feature in the segment. (Even the more expensive Tata’s flagship sedan, Zest AMT does not have this feature)
To be marketed under the GenX banner, official Tata Nano website has already started with marketing activities. Bookings are set to commence in the coming days, while we expect price of new Nano GenX AMT to be priced under Rs 3 lakhs. This will prove as one major USP, as the current affordable lot of automatic hatchbacks in India are priced in the range of Rs 3.8 to Rs 4.3 lakhs.
