Topic: Tata Motors unveils cheapest car 'Nano'

[Ex-airbalancer]

With no safety considerations engineered into the Nano the cost savings are not worth the risk of driving on any 400 series highway.

Does that mean you do not think bikes should be on the 400 series highway?
Should OHIP be getting be charging a fee depending on what kind of car we drive?

No, chances are a MC rider on a 400 Series Highway has above average driving skill-sets and can accelerate out of trouble. My lawnmower can out run a Nano.

That is probably very true
But it still is 90% skill and 10% luck
The number of single car in the ditch on the 401 is amazing
 

[Snowman]

With no safety considerations engineered into the Nano the cost savings are not worth the risk of driving on any 400 series highway.

Does that mean you do not think bikes should be on the 400 series highway?
Should OHIP be getting be charging a fee depending on what kind of car we drive?

No, chances are a MC rider on a 400 Series Highway has above average driving skill-sets and can accelerate out of trouble. My lawnmower can out run a Nano.

That is probably very true
But it still is 90% skill and 10% luck
The number of single car in the ditch on the 401 is amazing
 

No fear, by the time the NANO complies with North American safety standards it will be $12k.

[sailor723]

With no safety considerations engineered into the Nano the cost savings are not worth the risk of driving on any 400 series highway.

Does that mean you do not think bikes should be on the 400 series highway?
Should OHIP be getting be charging a fee depending on what kind of car we drive?

No, chances are a MC rider on a 400 Series Highway has above average driving skill-sets and can accelerate out of trouble. My lawnmower can out run a Nano.

That is probably very true
But it still is 90% skill and 10% luck
The number of single car in the ditch on the 401 is amazing
 

No fear, by the time the NANO complies with North American safety standards it will be $12k.

and weigh 4,000 lbs

[tpl]

The nano pictured about is more luxurious than a Mk1 mini.  It even has steerable heater vents, electric windows,  The first mini had a whole 34 bhp I think as well
In fact it has aircon which, IIRC was not factory available on a Mini at least until 1975 in the UK.

What more do you need.... more frills? 

[Seafoam]

The nano pictured about is more luxurious than a Mk1 mini.  It even has steerable heater vents, electric windows,  The first mini had a whole 34 bhp I think as well
In fact it has aircon which, IIRC was not factory available on a Mini at least until 1975 in the UK.

What more do you need.... more frills? 

400 hp

[Cord]

What more do you need.... more frills? 

Better interior plastics - more soft touch surfaces.

[tpl]

frills!   the Mk1 mini had either painted metal or cardboard.

[Cord]

frills!   the Mk1 mini had either painted metal or cardboard.

Yes, but this is the internet age. Plastics quality is the key metric for armchair car reviewers.

[EV Dan]

Did I see a figure of over 6k USD? So thats what, over 7k CAD. .. A basic Accent is sold for 10 grand and that includes 0% interest for 36 months. With 30 sec 0-60 Nano is nothing more than a moped on 4 wheels IMO.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

frills!   the Mk1 mini had either painted metal or cardboard.

Yes, but this is the internet age. Plastics quality is the key metric for armchair car reviewers.

Sad, but oh so true.

[Thinking Out Loud]

Did I see a figure of over 6k USD? So thats what, over 7k CAD. .. A basic Accent is sold for 10 grand and that includes 0% interest for 36 months. With 30 sec 0-60 Nano is nothing more than a moped on 4 wheels IMO.

I think the same arguement has been made about the Smart vs a Yaris/Accent/Fit/Versa....if you are in that price range (or close to it) - why deprive yourself of the versatility of a slighty lower-MPG vehicle over the weak, restrictive packaging of a 2 person + a case of beer city commuter?

[safristi]

I believe the NANO is PRIMARILY for the near middle class in INDIA to take a step up from 5 on a scooter.........................not really aimed at us sissies...........A/C ABS Airbags AUTO this and that.........

[tpl]

Did I see a figure of over 6k USD? So thats what, over 7k CAD. .. A basic Accent is sold for 10 grand and that includes 0% interest for 36 months. With 30 sec 0-60 Nano is nothing more than a moped on 4 wheels IMO.

As saf suggests above that is the whole point of it.

"Ratan Tata, the man behind the giant industrial conglomerate that owns Jaguar and Land Rover, shared Agnelli’s vision of affordable four-wheeled transport for the masses when he began work on the project in 2003. “I observed families riding on two-wheelers — the father driving the scooter, his young child standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family.” "

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/new_car_reviews/article5945007.ece

There is a great deal to be said for a basic car that can be fixed under a shade tree with two wrenches and a screwdriver.   There have been many.     VW bug, 2CV, Fiat 500, Mini, Austin 7, Chevette to name but a few and maybe there should be more even in NA... perhaps the Hyundai Accent is as close as you can get with all the regulations.

Maybe Hyundai could produce an Accent minus:  catalytic converter, airbags and the rest of the stuff, side intrusion beams, power steering, kid seat latches, multispeed wipers etc etc. for only $6k.    That is, maybe they could produce a better Nano for Nano prices given a chance.

[PJungnitsch]

First drive video by Autocar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sZitve3SUw&feature=player_embedded

[safristi]

 TaTa fer a Nobel prize....................one that WOULD BE DESERVED............

[Cortina]

frills!   the Mk1 mini had either painted metal or cardboard.

Remember the door pulls.