Exclusive: Tata Motors plans meaner, greener Nanos

The Tata Nano, which many see as a cute car, is set to get some new siblings which would reflect some additional attributes. It is learnt that Tata Motors is working on a turbocharged version of the small car. This variant could be introduced during the festive season this year, according to sources.

This will be the first time that the Nano’s engine will see a mechanical addition that will help boost the car’s power output significantly. The turbocharged Nano will be aimed at driving enthusiasts. “Tata Motors is constantly working on upgrades, new variants, and new projects. We continue to look at new and refreshed products to be launched across various segments and, of course, test these vehicles and the same is applicable to the Nano,” says a company spokesperson.

The turbocharged Nano project is part of Tata Motors’ strategy to change the image of the Nano from ‘a cheap car’ to a ‘smart city car’. The first significant step of this strategy was the introduction of the power steering-equipped Nano Twist in January. This variant has helped prop up Nano’s monthly sales.

In another move, the company is also working on a part-electric Nano called the Nano ‘e-rev’. This variant will help extend the Nano’s driving range as well as add the green quotient to the small car. It is learnt that the car is currently an R&D project. The Nano ‘e-rev’ is part of Tata Motors’ activities to prepare products for the electric vehicle (EV) market in India and overseas. The company had recently showcased the Manza REEV (range extended electric vehicle) demonstrator vehicle which has a driving range of 88 kilometres in pure electric mode. It can also be driven in hybrid mode.

Tata Motors’ R&D projects in the EV space include micro-hybrid, mild-hybrid, full EV and range extender technologies. As for the Nano ‘e-rev’, the company has not yet taken a call about launching it. A decision in this regard will also depend on the policy of the government for electric/hybrid vehicles. EV makers have been batting for subsidies from the government, at least in the initial phase. A company spokesperson says, “While we have high degree of technology-readiness and the programme offers several competitive strengths, it is difficult to predict the exact timeframes needed to create the right ecosystem for this to be a market-viable project.”

Tata Motors says it is ‘actively engaged with government and other regulatory bodies in setting standards for the industry’. So, while the Nano ‘e-rev’s future may hinge on the policy makers, driving enthusiasts can definitely look forward to a peppier Nano when its turbocharged version hits the market.

And, there is also another Nano with automated manual transmission (AMT) in the pipeline, for those looking for driving convenience in heavy city traffic. Autocar Professional had broken the story about Tata Motors working on a clutch-less Nano on January 31.