Rave reviews for world’s cheapest car

MUMBAI, (AFP) - Motoring experts on Tuesday gave a rousing reception to the Tata Nano, hailing the world’s cheapest car as ‘one of the greatest bargains of all time’ and ‘a triumph of Indian ingenuity.’
The tiny car, which costs just 100,000 rupees (2,000 dollars) for the basic model, was unveiled to great fanfare on Monday, with Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata saying it would revolutionise travel for millions of Indians.
India’s trade press agreed that the sporty, jellybean-shaped Nano passed the test as a bona fide vehicle, earning comparisons to the European Smart car and classic ‘People’s Car’ the Volkswagen Beetle.
Much was made of the car’s looks. Autocar India magazine described it ‘as cute as a cartoon caricature... desperately loveable’ which was ‘appealing, especially to ladies.’
Most reviewers were surprised at the amount of headroom and leg space inside the 3.1-metre-long (10 feet) car and said it was ideal for nipping around the congested streets of Indian cities.
“It’s not a toy or an autorickshaw with a fourth wheel as many sceptics believed,” Autocar India said.
“It’s a credible car that does the job brilliantly for its target customers and in the process trounces much more expensive cars in areas like passenger space.”
Auto India said the Nano -- which has a strong passenger compartment, crumple zones and intrusion resistant doors -- is likely to be safer than many of its direct competitors in the small car market in India.
“The Tata Nano is worth every bit of your hard-earned money and we believe it has the makings of a cult car,” it added.
However, demand is set to outstrip supply, with production limited to just 30,000 to 50,000 cars in the first year because of limited production capacity -- a fraction of the original target of 250,000, auto analysts say.
The launch has come at a tough time for India’s top vehicle maker, hit by the economic slowdown and credit crunch -- and at a time when it is trying to absorb the British luxury marques Jaguar and Land Rover, which it bought last year.
In the long-term, Tata is hoping the Nano will also be a hit overseas.
In France, Le Figaro compared the Nano’s launch to that of the Volkswagen Beetle after World War II.
“It is just as ‘revolutionary’. Both in terms of the place it is likely to hold in Indian society, and from a technology point of view,” said the daily.
There was criticism, however, of the lack of luggage space, power steering and air conditioning in basic models.
And with a top speed of just 105 kilometres (65 miles) per hour from a two cylinder, 624 cc rear-mounted engine, its overtaking prowess was questioned.
But reviewers seemed to accept Tata’s view that potential buyers need to be realistic when considering such a low-cost motor.
“In the mould of the original Ford Model T but snappier and impressive in its use of the right technology, the Nano has the makings of a mega winner,” wrote Adil Jal Darukhanawala from the Economic Times’ ZigWheels.com.
“The Nano’s not perfect,” said Autocar India. “Owners will want more power, miss the practicality of a hatch and want an additional gear too. But that’s about it.
“What Tata has achieved (at the price)... is a triumph of Indian ingenuity.”
However a commentator in Britain’s Guardian newspaper warned the real significance in the launch of the Nano lay in its environmental impact with the prospect of millions of more motorists.
“This marks the beginning of mass private transport in the world’s second largest population,” said George Monbiot.
“For years environmentalists have speculated about what would happen if consumption in the poor world matched consumption in the rich world. Now the great experiment has begun.”

MUMBAI, (AFP) - Motoring experts on Tuesday gave a rousing reception to the Tata Nano, hailing the world’s cheapest car as “one of the greatest bargains of all time” and “a triumph of Indian ingenuity.” The tiny car, which costs just 100,000 rupees (2,000 dollars) for the basic model, was unveiled to great fanfare on Monday, with Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata saying it would revolutionise travel for millions of Indians India’s trade press agreed that the sporty, jellybean-shaped Nano passed the test as a bona fide vehicle, earning comparisons to the European Smart car and classic “People’s Car” the Volkswagen Beetle.