Probably don't want to get into a front end crash driving this car

[Fenway]

$2500 gets you this in India

Tata has pulled the wraps off its long-discussed and highly-anticipated 1-lakh (around $2,500) car. The orb-like Tata Nano was unveiled at the New Delhi Auto Expo today, boasting a 30-horsepower 624-cc engine; a four-speed manual transmission; a disc/drum brake setup; room for five (based on the above photo); and claimed fuel economy of 54 US miles per gallon. There's no power steering, and you'll find more instrumentation on many wristwatches -- the Nano has only a fuel gauge, speedometer, and oil light. Suspension? Well, it has one. Tata claims that the car meets safety and environmental standards (such as Euro IV emissions compliance), and we're sure it won't be long before tests show whether the car is indeed up to snuff in those areas. Say hello to the new "people's car," brought to you by the same folks who hope to sell you Jaguars in the not-so-distant future. We'd say that if all goes as planned, Tata's got just about every possible demographic covered. Thanks for the tip, RV!

What $2,500 buys in India: Tata Nano unveiled - Autoblog

 

[indyninja]

looks like a coffin on wheels

 

[465guy]

boasting a 30-horsepower 624-cc engine;

 

[MyGlockRocks19]

Are those lawnmower tires?

 

[techres]

How many can ride on top?

 

[K_W]

Ugly.

 

[ATM]

The way back machine is getting lots of use lately!

 

[Bigum1969]

How many can ride on top?

That's some wicked good INGO humor there techres!!!

 

[JustGone]

I just..wow $2500 for this?...wow

 

[Bigum1969]

My son's LEGO car he built last night has bigger wheels.

 

[hornadylnl]

Seriously, if they built another car like the Yugo for $5-8k new and I could get 100k trouble free miles, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[AFA1CY]

Can we say 'Spam In A Can'?

 

[Boilers]

I have been saying for a couple years that the Nano will really revolutionize the industry. Not here in the USA. But you guys HAVE seen the streets of India, right? Families of five on scooters? This is just twice the cost of a scooter? Wouldn't you want to drive your family in one of these instead of a scooter? I would.

Orders already outstrip their ability to make them. I think they are great..

 

[NEWMAN]

Well having been to India multiple times. Not to many high speed crashes going on. At least not in the cities. Its more of a convience thing. Its covered transportaion. Small/slow/cheap. But better then the 1960's vans they have right now.

Looks functional for the area.

 

[warangelcometh]

Are those lawnmower tires?

I think they're wheel barrel tires??

 

[XMil]

I have been saying for a couple years that the Nano will really revolutionize the industry. Not here in the USA. But you guys HAVE seen the streets of India, right? Families of five on scooters? This is just twice the cost of a scooter? Wouldn't you want to drive your family in one of these instead of a scooter? I would.

Orders already outstrip their ability to make them. I think they are great..

I think you're right, this will be good for India.

 

[spirit390]

And people said a pacer was ugly

 

[JBrockman]

Hey can I pick one of these up and put it in the saddle bag of my bike in case the bike break down. Oh wait I can always use the cell phone to call for a pick-up and the trailer though!
Have done many auto-extrications at accidents with the fire department over the past 35 years, this car scares the living $&!& out of me.

 

[HandK]

I wonder if you can get a mower deck under it? it looks about the size of my mower.

 

[22lr]

boasting a 30-horsepower 624-cc engine

How can you boast of a 30horse engine???