A luggage boot space, automatic gearbox-that’s what the Nex Gen Tata Nano has to offer

These days whenever Maruti gives the shout of credibility with its Alto being the best small car of the decade, there’s a honk followed by a feeble head lamp. It’s Tata Nano promising an enhanced feel every now and then. Ever since the much talked about (thanks to the then opposition and now CM of West Bengal, Mamata Baneerjee) Tata Nano came into being its has undergone some kind of changes in every edition. While most of the time, the changes have remained limited to cosmetic, this time Tata Nano is quite serious of the makeover.

As Tata rolls out the all new NextGen Nano, the Indian carmaker seems to be more concerned about feedback, interestingly both urban and rural. Cars in India have mostly been known for its suitability with urbanity. However Tata Nano being priced quite low, it’s appeal has extended even to the small towns and villages where driving a car is considered a luxury.

Talking to 1500 Nano owners , Tata has zeroed on the fact that Indian women like coloured interiors. At least that’s what Girish Wagh, Tata Motors' senior VP told the media recently.

While smoothness in drive was missing in the Nano, the new edition of NextGen Nano adds to the comfort with electric power-assisted steering systems and AMT (automated manual transmission), a hype Maruti is encashing on with its Celerio. With a 5^th speed gear in auto transmission , Tata’s new Nano sounds like a super powered entry level car.

While Nano with diesel engine is on cards, NextGen Nano has a small bootleg fit to store a strolley and two hand bags. While 624 cc/37.4 bhp engine at rear still remains the same, the growling like autorickshaw sound seems to have disappeared from inside.
To enhance safety, the front has been enabled to the frontal-crash crumple zone.
With competition breathing warm on the shoulder, Tata Nano has to do something to grow in the car market. The Indian car market, which is yet to pick up speed in recent years, has seen quite a few revolutions. While Maruti is doing well with Alto 800 and Alto K10 in the low priced market, new players including Datsun is reshaping the market in this segment.

(Image: Zigwheels)