Cheapest new car ever, 2cyl, 33hp, 50 mpg! (Tata Nano)

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by cfg83

Frank -



Too bad Tata forked out 2.3 billion for Jaguar and Land Rover.

Maybe someone has already said this. If the Nano does sell for around $2500, then maybe this will become a good EV conversion platform.

EDIT: But maybe the battery weight will overwhelm the suspension.

CarloSW2

Agreed, that made about as much sense as a Chrysler/Mercedes merger to me: none at all.

As far as EV, I would guess (yes, guessing is dangerous, but oh well) it has about a 1000 lb max design payload. With 3-lug 12" wheels and a 1322 lb weight I'd bet there isn't any extra "beef" in the chassis. By the time a guy re-engineers it to be strong enough, perhaps it would have been more fruitful to start with something else? Or maybe pull around a battery trailer?

I think it would be a great platform for a little diesel conversion.

[hummingbird]

Actually there is another vehicle better suited for turning to EV, with kerb weight of 800 kg and gross weight of 1400 kg - which means 600 kg of stuff can be added without leaning on safety aspects. It also has a flat bed for those heavy batteries. Drawback - hardly any safety / crumple zone.

Have a look at this vehicle Omni from Maruti Suzuki

@Wilden - It is not true that the prices of cars in the first world are marked up substantially. It is the other way round. everybody from politicians to car manufacturers think that a car is a luxury item to be taxed heavily/fleeced at every stage, and the Third World buyer ends up spending much more than the First World buyer. We also get dumped all vehicles withdrawn and substituted with better models from the rest of the world. Also no standards enforced - OBD is still not required by law, and naturally auto mfrs pinch pennies, except only when pinching is costlier than not.

I just checked an example - on-road price for the Honda Civic Hybrid - the only hybrid available in India - $45k equivalent in INR !!!

[rmay635703]

Tata Nano For Sale in U.S. by 2012, Price: $4000 - June 2009 Auto and Car News

Hmm maybe we could see one make it over here?

Boat tail it and replace the old motor and voila, 56mpg + again

[Angelus359]

Its pretty freaking cool actually for a city car.

I could imagine someone having 2 cars, and having this as one of them.

[roflwaffle]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Agreed, that made about as much sense as a Chrysler/Mercedes merger to me: none at all.

As far as EV, I would guess (yes, guessing is dangerous, but oh well) it has about a 1000 lb max design payload. With 3-lug 12" wheels and a 1322 lb weight I'd bet there isn't any extra "beef" in the chassis. By the time a guy re-engineers it to be strong enough, perhaps it would have been more fruitful to start with something else? Or maybe pull around a battery trailer?

I think it would be a great platform for a little diesel conversion.

Does three lug versus four lug matter if the three lug has proportionally larger lug studs?

[Frank Lee]

I would imagine the span between a three nutter on the wheels would necessitate they (the wheels) be heavier; more so than if the load is borne through smaller spans.

[SwamiSalami]

Big fan of this car! Can't wait until they come to America.

[cleanspeed1]

Tata has a Model T moment with the Nano and buys what Ford used to hold. Ironic............

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I would imagine the span between a three nutter on the wheels would necessitate they (the wheels) be heavier; more so than if the load is borne through smaller spans.

Not on the millions of PSA and Renault cars with 3-stud wheels.

[Frank Lee]

OK... maybe not. How will we know?

Thought experiment: If you have a one lug nut wheel (nut not in the middle) would you have to make it- the lug and the wheel- meatier than a 12 lug nut wheel?