World's cheapest car: Tata Nano

[Jeffbx]

Just unveiled in India (looks a lot like the Smart 4-door).

Sells for 1 lakh (100,000) rupees, which is roughly US $2,500. Dang.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/tata-nano-the-worlds-cheapest-car/?hp

Sun visors & radios are optional equipment.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/01/10/automobiles/533-Tata-01.jpg

[Cubsfan]

Looks like about 50MPG. Given the size of it, I was kind of hoping that it'd get more than that. Still, glad it gets pretty good gas mileage.

[DarkFury]

man.. that's just a go-kart with a body kit. :D

[uncledaddy]

Looks like about 50MPG. Given the size of it, I was kind of hoping that it'd get more than that. Still, glad it gets pretty good gas mileage.

Are you considering buying one? Would you really want to go 65 MPH in that thing. You'd never survive an accident. It's a shoe box with wheels.

[brainsmile]

those be some nice Tatas

[Cubsfan]

Are you considering buying one? Would you really want to go 65 MPH in that thing. You'd never survive an accident. It's a shoe box with wheels.
No, 50 MPG, mileage. No way would I buy one :)

[Daedalus]

I read in another story that the wheel bearings' lifespan begins to degrade rapidly above 45MPH. It'll do 65MPH...but it may not last too many years. Once you add in all the OBDII sensors and computers and US crash equipment to import it here, it'll get 30MPG and cost $10k. By the time the US dollar stops falling, this thing'll cost $30k :). 50MPG is crap for a car that size.
I wish I could find a peppy car like an S2000, but which was as quiet as my sedan and with a little softer suspension for a reasonable price.

[uncledaddy]

No, 50 MPG, mileage. No way would I buy one :)

Oh, when you mentioned that you hoped that it got better than 50 MPG but were still happy that it had "good" gas mileage, it seemed like you intended on purchasing. My first thought was, "UH OH, Cubs has a death wish!" :eek: :D

[InfiniteNothing]

Yeah definitely stick to the bike lanes on that thing. It's pretty much a golf cart right?

[Markel]

That thing would never survive the Chicago potholes - it's tires would fall halfway into them.

[Jeffbx]

I doubt it would ever be exported, esp. to the States - would never meet crash standards & can't maintain highway speeds (only 33HP).

But for the congested cities in India, this thing will sell like hotcakes. Most big cities there are like Manhattan during rush hour, only with no traffic signals & no lines on the road. I'd be surprised if many of these ever see 35MPH for more than a block or 2 at a time.