Introducing the World’s Cheapest Car: The Tata Nano
This week, Tata Motors from India just released what a lot are saying is a breakthrough in motoring. Priced at just $2000, the Tata Nano is now considered to be the world’s cheapest car. For this reason, the Tata is now also dubbed as the People’s car. The car currently has three variants with the basic not having air-conditioner, power steering, passenger side mirror nor an extra windscreen wiper.
The Nano has already won the Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award in the Transportation category in a ceremony last October with the judges falling in love with its design. According to Ratan Tata, the chairman of Tata Motors,, this car hopes to “revolutionize the lives of millions of Indians, most of whom live in rural areas many miles from the nearest bus stop. Even with its low price, the Nano is built to meet safety requirement, is fuel efficient and is low on emissions. So far the car is compared to the Volkswagen Beetle which also was an icon in the German Motoring industry.
The car just measures around ten foot long, and is five foot high and wide. The Nano is powered by a 623cc two- cylinder petrol engine in the rear developing just 33 horse-power. It can reach top speeds of about 65mph and will do about 50 miles to the gallon.
I personally think that this car is going to change the way cars are used especially in third world countries worldwide. It will definitely make it more accessible to a lot of people to which it was not available before. Furthermore, the timing of its release could not have been more perfect, with the economy as it is right now. I cannot wait to see the customization options this car offers. I think teenage drivers will find this car a trendy ad affordable option for a first car.
