Behind the Nano Wheel

 

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE SITTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE TATA NANO NITISH SHAH, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF YOUTH INCORPORATED, TOOK THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED LIMITED EDITION TATA NANO LX FOR A TEST DRIVE TO FIND OUT

The most awaited and talked about car in the world is the Tata Nano! It has created a furore in the car industry with its price tag of just Rs. 1 lakh which makes it affordable for every Indian. Much has been said and seen since its launch in 2009 and now it is a regular sight on the Indian roads in a myriad of colours. This bite-sized car with its unique shape has revolutionized travel in the country.

Space & Comfort
The highlight of the car is definitely the space inside – it is not as small as I imagined and is spacious for all four passengers though five could easily squeeze in. The car is high and offers easy access to get in and out of the seat and the height makes you feel like you own the road. The dashboard is in the centre with the speedometer and fuel gauge displays. There are two glove boxes, one on each side making it convenient for the driver to keep things on his side. The engine is tucked below the back seat and thus the boot space is small.

Ride
The ride is smooth and the car picks up speed easily. The optimum speed, marked in green, is between 40 and 60 km/hr and the maximum is 105 km/hr. In spite of not having power steering, the steering is quite smooth and the car has a turning radius of 4 metres. The brakes are powerful and quick to respond. The Nano is equipped with a 15-litre fuel tank and has an impressive mileage of 20 kilometres in a city and 25.4 kilometres on the highway. The horn is soft which is sensible when it comes to avoiding noise pollution. There is a single wiper on the front windshield with dual speed options.

Features
The Nano’s engine is 624 cc with an impressive 38 PS of power and 51 Nm of torque. There is an inbuilt Blaupunkt audio system with two front speakers which offer good music. The AC has four vents and does a great job of cooling.

Verdict
The car is extremely affordable for the youth at just Rs. 1.75 lakhs. Being small in size is a convenience in a country that drives bumper to bumper. It is also handy when parking in crowded cities where space is a premium – probably why we have seen an increase in Tata Nano numbers in our office and college parking lots.
All-in-all, a great car that has made it possible to move on from a two-wheeler to a four-wheeler in a heartbeat, making it easy for collegians to impress their friends or take their girls for a spin.

Drool Worthy Features

• Stylish alloy wheels
• Exteriors now with sportier body graphics
• Comes with a stylish music system
• Two glove boxes – first in the hatchback segment
• India’s most fuel efficient petrol car at 25.4 km/l
• Lowest CO2 emission among cars in India
• Petrol version available (diesel to follow soon)

 

Volume 2 Issue 7