Vehicle model
Tata Nano
The Tata Nano is an urban microcar produced in a single generation, from 2008 to 2018. Unveiled on January 10, 2008 at a launch price of about 100,000 rupees (around 2,500 US dollars), it aimed to offer an affordable car to the many Indians traveling by motorcycle or scooter. Heavily publicized as the cheapest car in the world, it was born after the success of the small Tata Ace truck. Its commercial journey was, however, hampered by delays linked to relocating the plant from Singur to Sanand, by cases of fires early in its career and by a perception of fragility stemming from very aggressive cost-cutting. The Nano was never sold in North America. As a micro city car, it used very small wheels (on the order of 12 inches); in Quebec, such a vehicle would nevertheless need to be fitted with approved winter tires.
History
History of the Tata Nano
The Tata Nano is an urban microcar produced in a single generation, from 2008 to 2018. Unveiled on January 10, 2008 at a launch price of about 100,000 rupees (around 2,500 US dollars), it aimed to offer an affordable car to the many Indians traveling by motorcycle or scooter. Heavily publicized as the cheapest car in the world, it was born after the success of the small Tata Ace truck. Its commercial journey was, however, hampered by delays linked to relocating the plant from Singur to Sanand, by cases of fires early in its career and by a perception of fragility stemming from very aggressive cost-cutting. The Nano was never sold in North America. As a micro city car, it used very small wheels (on the order of 12 inches); in Quebec, such a vehicle would nevertheless need to be fitted with approved winter tires.
Technology
Technologies, engines and platforms
Rear-engine microcar with very small displacement (about 600 cc), designed for economical urban driving. The design favored light weight and mechanical simplicity to reach a rock-bottom price, at the cost of reduced equipment and finish.
Tires and wheels
Tire and wheel compatibility
Les modèles Tata sont surtout des citadines et des VUS compacts à intermédiaires. Les petites voitures (Nano, Indica) utilisaient de petites roues, souvent autour de 13 à 14 pouces, tandis que les VUS récents (Nexon, Harrier) emploient des jantes plus grandes, généralement de 15 à 19 pouces selon la version. L'entraxe (bolt pattern) varie selon le segment, fréquemment de type 4 ou 5 trous. Comme la marque n'est pas vendue au Québec, ces véhicules n'y circulent pratiquement pas; pour tout véhicule de gabarit comparable conduit ici, des pneus d'hiver homologués restent essentiels vu les normes provinciales et le climat rigoureux.
Other models