New 794cc diesel and 1-litre petrol engines to power future Nanos

The Tata Nano is likely to bear a price-tag between Rs 2-3 lakh for a new 794cc two-cylinder common-rail diesel-engined model that is set to roll out in March 2013. This news-making diesel engine will be the smallest in its class; the existing small diesels that power the Chevrolet Beat and Maruti Alto K10 are of 1.0-litre capacity.

Though Tata Motors had announced its plan to launch a diesel-engined Nano two years ago, the company maintains that it has not finalised the rollout plan as yet. But the diesel model is very much in its future roadmap.

The company is also believed to be developing an all-new 1.0-litre petrol engine for the Nano. Industry sources say this model is expected to be launched around end-2013. With this engine, the Nano will graduate into the entry level B segment currently dominated by the likes of the 998cc Maruti Alto K-10, the 1086cc Hyundai Santro and the 995cc Chevrolet Spark.

The current 624cc petrol-engined Nano retails between Rs 1.40 lakh and Rs 1.96 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for three different variants. Nano sales had failed to pick up initially, with analysts attributing this to poor marketing and some technical problems including some engine fires. However, after Tata Motors upgraded the Nano last November with a more powerful petrol engine and a new starter motor to enhance performance, sales began rising. In November 2010, the carmaker had upgraded the exhaust and the electrical system.

In February 2012, Nano sales clocked 9,217 units (a 12 percent growth over February 2011), and 7,723 units in January 2012 (a 15 percent growth over January 2011).

Meanwhile, Tata Motors is believed to be also considering the use of an advanced start-stop starter in an upcoming Nano petrol model, to be followed later by the diesel edition. The USP of the starter will be its low weight and performance in line with changing emission norms. However, it will be some time before the starter finds fitment in the Nano as the carmaker is likely to accord higher priority to rolling out the diesel and 1.0-litre Nanos.

“Tata Motors is already deploying this technology in mild hybrids, so it is not new for us. We have a whole basket of technologies and we have to take a call on when to introduce them and in which models,” said a Tata Motors spokesperson.

The new Nano models will be made available both in the domestic and overseas markets.

SHOBHA MATHUR