Tata Nano variants

Tata motors is leaving no stones unturned to make sure the Rs 1 lakh Nano is launched on schedule, though the diesel variant will debut mid-2009.

Meanwhile, the petrol version will be available in three options. Ironic as it may sound but the cheapest car on the world has a top-end luxury variant... which will have a range of features like HVAC, power window, central locking, tinted glasses, extended reflector, front and rear fog lamps and instrument cluster with trip metre. Yup, all this for an extra Rs 20,000 to 30,000. The car will also sport body colour bumper and door handles, door lock on the co-driver side, slider with recliner, three-spoke steering wheel and double stalk combiswitch.

So how is it better than our primitive Maruti 800?
Tata Motors spokes person was quick to point out that the much awaited car has roomy passenger compartment with generous leg space and head room. With a length of 3.1 metres, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres, and adequate ground clearance, it can “effortlessly manoeuvre on busy roads in cities as well as in rural areas. Its mono-volume design, with wheels at the corners and the powertrain at the rear, enables it to uniquely combine both space and manoeuvrability”. Hmmmm...

Like the 800, Nano will sport a multi-point fuel injection engine. “This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft” said the spokesman. He further enlighten “The lean design strategy has helped minimise weight, which helps maximise performance per unit of energy consumed and delivers fuel efficiency of about 20 km to a litre.”

Sounds good... Mamta ji, are you listening?

Tata Nano website

Tata Indica Vista launch pictures

As promised here as some pictures from Indica Vista launch...

The patent Indica high backlights continues...

The instruments are shifted to the middle of the dash... Tata claims this improves the road view for the driver.

The Eye of Vista: The most distinct change in the Indica's design

For more details have a look at my Vista launch post...

Harley Davidson buys MV Agusta & Cagiva!

American cruiser king Harley Davidson is set to buying the sexy Italian Superbike maker MV Agusta along with it's light bike manufacturing firm - Cagiva in an eye-popping $111 million (roughly Rs 476 crores) deal.

Earlier their were rumours were making the rounds about TATA Motors aiming to pick up stakes in MV Agusta, but probably Harley had a lot more to offer the Italian Super bike firm.
The MV Group is currently owned almost entirely by the Castiglioni family lead by Claudio Castiglioni. This multi-million dollar deal will transfer the ownership to Harley Davidson while Claudio Castiglioni will remain as chairman of the firm.

As long as there are no regulatory problems, the deal should be closed in a few weeks time and the priority for Harley Davidson is to speed up production after the recent months slowdown due to MV Agusta's financial problems.

MV fans should not despair as Design Chief Massimo Tamburini - the man responsible for the styling of many of the iconic Superbikes in recent years, will continue his current role so expect plenty more drool-worthy bikes from the Italian firm.