2013 Tata Nano gets new features; CNG version coming soon

Tata Motors has just showcased facelifted variants of the Nano, Indigo eCS, Indica eV2 and the Sumo Gold. While details of the Indigo eCS and the Sumo Gold facelifts can be read here and here, this story will focus on the 2013 Nano. The facelifted Nano is Tata Motors's latest attempt to boost sagging sales of the world's least priced car. 

Tata Motors's Sanand factory has been operating at an abysmally low production level, so much so that the automaker is said to be mulling assembly of other vehicles (Tata Ace) in the facility initially earmarked for the Nano. Vendors too, are a disappointed lot and Tata Motors is under pressure to shore up volumes of the Nano.

The 2013 version of the Nano may be described as a mild makeover at best. The car gets chrome garnishes at the front and the rear, a redesigned rear bumper with additional vents for better heat dissipation and new paint schemes. Inside the car, the glove boxes (first seen on the special edition 2012 Nano) are now standard while the music system is integrated into the dashboard. 

The music system is compatible with USB and Bluetooth devices. The music system streams music to four in-car speakers. The 2013 Nano also gets a parcel shelf, which plays host to two of the four speakers. Other changes on the inside include a revamped 3 spoke steering wheel, new seat fabric and lighter colours for the interior trims.

Mechanically, the 623cc twin cylinder petrol engine outputting 38 PS is retained as it is and so is the four speed manual gearbox. Tata Motors claims that the steering and suspension of the Nano are tweaked to make for a lighter effort to steer the car. Dubbed "Easy Steer" technology, the reworked steering and suspension of the facelifted car are said to make the Nano's steering the lightest in its class. However, it must be noted that the Nano still misses a full fledged power steering. The 2013 Nano will be available at Tata showrooms from July 2013. 

Update: The 2013 Tata Nano starts at 1.5 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Delhi. 

Tata Motors focusing on CNG technology as the gap between petrol and diesel prices narrows down.

During the "Horizonext" showcase event, Tata Motors announced that the CNG-petrol dual fuel variant of the Nano, dubbed the E-MAX will be launched in the next 2-3 months. The Nano CNG was first showcased at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo. While running on CNG, the engine will output 33 PS, which is 5 PS lesser than the power output of the petrol engine.

Two 16 liter CNG tanks are placed at the bottom of the front seats, thereby avoiding encroachment of the minimal luggage space of the Nano. Notably, CNG refueling will take place through a filler mechanism situated in the bonnet of the car, as is the case with the regular petrol powered version.

Tata Motors claims that the Nano CNG will deliver a fuel economy figure of 36 Km/Kg of CNG. The car's emissions, at 75 grams of CO2/Km is also one of the lowest for a four wheeler this side of the Bajaj RE60, which emits 60 grams of CO2/Km. The car delivers a combined (CNG+Petrol) range of 400 kilometers.

Two more CNG powered cars, the Indica eV2 CNG and the Indigo eCS CNG will be introduced soon. These CNG powered variants will be CNG-Petrol dual fuel models, seeking to take advantage of the steadily expanding CNG dispensing infrastructure in India. The CNG powered cars in Tata Motors's range will be suffixed with the E-MAX moniker.

A cleaner burning option than petrol and diesel, CNG is also more cost effective, especially considering the fact that a CNG kit equipped car is much cheaper than its diesel equivalent. Meanwhile, more car makers across India are jumping on to the CNG bandwagon.

India's largest car maker and industry bellwether Maruti Suzuki is leading the CNG brigade with a slew of CNG powered car models, five at last count, available in its portfolio. Days ago, Maruti Suzuki launched the Ertiga CNG model. Hyundai too has CNG powered models (dealer fitment plus factory warranty) in its Indian car range.