$3,000 new car coming to the US. - Meet the Tata Nano. $8k w/features

[austinite]

After a few years of admiration and curiosity from afar, it appears the U.S. will welcome another miniature car into the mix.


Indian automaker Tata is redesigning their $3,000 Nano minicar for release in the U.S. within the next three years, according to Automotive News.


Released in 2009 as the world's cheapest car at $2,500, the egg-shaped, four seat Nano has seen a few issues in its infancy. Those issues have included concerns over the Nano bursting into flames, slow sales after its release and a lack of furnishings like heating or a cup holder. Still, the Tata group is not letting the bumps in the road temper their ambitions for the Nano's release in the U.S and Europe.


But in the process of adjusting the car to fit American standards, the Nano will end up losing its incredibly cheap price-tag, the company says. "The structural changes that would need to be made, the changes that would be required as far as emissions are concerned, and some of the features that would be appropriate to add to the vehicle for the North American market, obviously that would drive up the price point," said Tata executive Warren Harris in an interview with the Associated Press.


Tata's billionaire chief, Ratan Tata, said the new features will include power steering, traction control, a bigger engine and "more bells and whistles." With these additions in place, the new Nano Tata would cost around $8,000. If this price were to a hold, it would make the Nano America's cheapest car behind the likes of the Nissan Versa ($11,750) and the Hyundai Accent ($13,205).


Tata, who will be stepping down as the head of the company in December 2012, insists that the Nano will find success in a new market and overcome its label as a "flop" in India. "The Smart and the Fiat 500 have high sticker prices, and people buy them because they are small cars," Tata told Automotive News. "But everyone knows you put a lot of money into it. We hope that the sub-$10,000 car has appeal."

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...n_1967753.html

[Tron3219]

Exactly what I want, a car that spontaneously combusts....

[Shsm]

Oh boy that thing's sure to drop some panties

[lovbyts]

Do you get heater and cup holder for the 8K? Doesn't sound all that cheap to me if it doesn't have all the bells and whistles including air bags. That little thing a bicycle collusion might total it or an over-sized pot hole.

[austinite]

Do you get heater and cup holder for the 8K? Doesn't sound all that cheap to me if it doesn't have all the bells and whistles including air bags. That little thing a bicycle collusion might total it or an over-sized pot hole.

Yeah. I agree. Cant you buy a hyndai for under 10k today?

[Tron3219]

Yeah. I agree. Cant you buy a hyndai for under 10k today?

I think if rather buy a used 2000 Honda civic for 3k then buy that car lol at least I know Hondas are reliable

[austinite]

I shall buy 2. And Curl them.

[lovbyts]

Yeah. I agree. Cant you buy a hyndai for under 10k today?

I think if rather buy a used 2000 Honda civic for 3k then buy that car lol at least I know Hondas are reliable

Exactly what I was thinking. Now if is was actually 3K or even 5K it might be worth a try (- the spontaneously combustion).

[JD250]

I shall buy 2. And Curl them.

If you buy two......that would mean you had a pair of TATAs.

Worse yet it could be problematic, even confusing, when trying to smooth talk the ladies..... "hey babe, nice tata" .....SLAP

[austinite]

If you buy two......that would mean you had a pair of TATAs.

Worse yet it could be problematic, even confusing, when trying to smooth talk the ladies..... "hey babe, nice tata" .....SLAP

LMAO! Didnt think about it that way. But I would say that I am CURLING a pair of Tata's

[milky01623]

Exactly what I want, a car that spontaneously combusts....

Lol
I've had 2 both BMW an m3 and a 530 both just set on fire with alternator faults within 7 of each other ill never have another BMW

[GirlyGymRat]

I shall buy 2. And Curl them.

I will buy 2 and have tatas.

[lovbyts]

I will buy 2 and have tatas.

From what I understand (correct me if I'm wrong) you already have tatas...

[Atomini]

LOL lack of a heater???

[Sfla80]

I could swear I have already seen these on the road. Or a version just like it.

Can't believe they make these. Imagine a semi hitting this?

[austinite]

I could swear I have already seen these on the road. Or a version just like it.

Can't believe they make these. Imagine a semi hitting this?

Maybe the Fiat?

[cherrydrpepper]

Oh boy that thing's sure to drop some panties

hahaha I have seen a smart car around town here. I think they are good for trust fund babies and retirees that have another vehicle for interstate travel.

[RaginCajun]

I will buy 2 and have tatas.

hahahahahaha!

[gixxerboy1]

i would want one but i could see it be good if you lived in the city. It would be good to get around NYC. Easy to park. You very rarely go over 30 mph. No real worry of semi's, And screw it if it get stolen or totaled it was $3k.

[JohnnyVegas]

This car bas a huge deal when it came out in poor countries. It provided safe, dependable transport for people that previously had been getting around on scooters and such. Just being able to keep your goods dry when returning from the store was a big quality of life increase.

It is amazing how much the price has to increase in order to meet our safety and emissions standards. If you think about the car in terms of function, I would think it is a solid buy. Good luck trying to get laid in it though.

[austinite]

This car bas a huge deal when it came out in poor countries. It provided safe, dependable transport for people that previously had been getting around on scooters and such. Just being able to keep your goods dry when returning from the store was a big quality of life increase.

It is amazing how much the price has to increase in order to meet our safety and emissions standards. If you think about the car in terms of function, I would think it is a solid buy. Good luck trying to get laid in it though.

NO joke. Almost triple the original price.

[Shol'va]

What is suspiciously absent is the mpg this vehicle is supposed to get. Not to mention the bad ride it will produce as you scoot along the highway at 43 mph top speed probably, trying to dodge pot holes larger than the car itself...But hey if the mph is way up there it could make a great city car. I only wish the electric vehicles were cheaper than they now are.

[songdog]

I will stick with my Chevy 4x4

[Far from massive]

Only trouble with the idea of driving on around the city would be potholes, when the average 6 inch deep pothole is met with a 135/70/12 tire you can expect an immediate blowout and probable suspension damage. Also the idea of trying to stop even from 40mph with a set of 7" drum brakes is less than appealing, of course 40 mph is really hauling ass since the things absolute top speed is 65 mph.

[Far from massive]

What is suspiciously absent is the mpg this vehicle is supposed to get. Not to mention the bad ride it will produce as you scoot along the highway at 43 mph top speed probably, trying to dodge pot holes larger than the car itself...But hey if the mph is way up there it could make a great city car. I only wish the electric vehicles were cheaper than they now are.

It is said to get 25 lpkm which is in the area of 57 mpg..of course that is if you believe the Indian press releases. My suspicion is that this milage was achieved driving closed course at a steady speed.