Worlds cheapest car will it ever become Retro???

[dp]

Ciao Retroisti...

Today Tata launched "the worlds cheapest car" the Tata Nano (don't Apple own that name???) projected prize is $2.500 but what do we think??? Does it have potential??? Will it ever be concidered a proper Retro Ride???




Some info from their site, who by the way has crashed several times during the day due to the whole world wanting to know all about "the worlds cheapest car"....

Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group and Tata Motors, today unveiled the Tata ‘NANO’, the People’s Car from Tata Motors that India and the world have been looking forward to. A development, which signifies a first for the global automobile industry, the People’s Car brings the comfort and safety of a car within the reach of thousands of families. The People’s Car will be launched in India later in 2008.

When launched, the car will be available in both standard and deluxe versions. Both versions will offer a wide range of body colours, and other accessories so that the car can be customised to an individual’s preferences.
The People’s Car has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine. This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft. The lean design strategy has helped minimise weight, which helps maximise performance per unit of energy consumed and delivers high fuel efficiency. Performance is controlled by a specially designed electronic engine management system.
The People’s Car’s safety performance exceeds current regulatory requirements. With an all sheet-metal body, it has a strong passenger compartment, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat belts, strong seats and anchorages, and the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body. Tubeless tyres further enhance safety(!!!!!!).

DP asks: So what do you think?? Maybe a PhotoShop!!!!!

[Harold Ramp Bumface Fandango]

'The car that India and the world have been looking forward to'. Yes, about as much as I'd look forward to electrocuting myself on a pylon. Ace sales pitch though, seat belts and tubeless tyres they say? Wow, I can hardly contain myself!
It looks blooming awful, kind of like a Ford Ka only worse, a feat I didn't think would ever be possible. It is, however, stupidly cheap, though I reckon it'll be a niche market and won't sell well at all outside of India, save for a handful of impoverished countries. Retro? Well I suppose all cars will be retro one day but that doesn't actually mean anything good in my book.
Oh, what's the betting the first customers over here will be rich 'celebs' and crusty, unwashed right on nut case types like the cyclists on that road rage programme?

[incarsolutions]

Had a look at this earlier this morning, ugly as feck, but cant deny its cheap!! reckoning on £1290 +VAT in the Uk!!

[Adam]

I recon they'll become No1 Hire cars and taxis in poorer countries.

No good for anything else.

[reanimation]

Gonna be a classic no doubt. but how the hell have they made it Scooter price and then ship it all the way from India, and still include room for middle men and tax man?

I can see the grannies queueing at the show room now aswell as used prices dropping!

[DutyFreeSaviour]

please don't let the GF see this

please don't let the GF see this....... etc..; ad infinitum!

Horrible and I'll have to kill her should she even mention it

[Skip_Rat]

Oh my gawd thats awful

I see at that price they couldn't afford proper size wheels so they nicked some of a Tesco trolley

[vicsmith]

I find it quite interesting, especially in black bumper, steel wheel form. I think it could be surprisingly good to drive, looking at the figures. It`s not a gimmicky "green" car, just a basic, "you need a car, there`s one, there." Bit like the Perodua Nippa only even more minimalist, and Nippas are fantastic little things that you can wheelspin for a lot longer than you intended to at the drop of a hat.

[wagoneer]

[vicsmith]

^Nice!

[MrT]

Looks like someone's attempt to build a Daewoo Matiz replica from old road signs an pram parts

[King Maz]

Don't worry it'll treble in price as soon as it's converted to RHD.

[Rev]

I have to say I like it, proper New Mini/Beetle/Imp/Fiat 500 territory. I still prefer the Dacia Logan though, which I intend some day to make a proper sleeper out of, think engine and running gear out of an Impreza, but with no external clues other than a slight slamming, maybe a few necessary vents, darkened windows to disguise the stipped and caged interior, and some wide dished, black steelies. . Yes, I know, I'm not well. ;D

[metro]

kingmaz said:

Don't worry it'll treble in price as soon as it's converted to RHD.

They already are RHD!

[misteralz]

kingmaz said:

Don't worry it'll treble in price as soon as it's converted to RHD.

It'll be ready-converted. India's an ex-British colony, you know.

[Rev]

misteralz said:

kingmaz said:

Don't worry it'll treble in price as soon as it's converted to RHD.

It'll be ready-converted. India's an ex-British colony, you know.

Indeed. Jolly good news that ;D

[Autofive]

horrible, horrible, horrible


so it will probably appeal to some loon in the future retro scene - but ill be dead by then

it worries me that future retro riders will only have rubbish cars left to covert - or nothing over 5 years old will be allowed on the roads

teenagers have an terrible taste in music too - what will happen when all the old rockers & punks are dead?

[King Maz]

All right! I'm not familiar with indian cars you know.
*embarrassed face thingy*

[misteralz]

cmcarthur said:

misteralz said:

It'll be ready-converted. India's an ex-British colony, you know.

Indeed. Jolly good news that ;D

Fantasticle! Be even better news when that awful Scotchland's an ex-British colony too. What ho!

[anthonyg]

It won't sell over here for £1250 because in its current form it won't meet EU standards. The regulations mentioned in the blurb are Indian Regs, equivalent to Euro 3, we are on Euro 4 so its the equivalent of a 2000-2005 EU car, not bad actually.

Will it be retro?, given anough time undoubtably, same as Model T, Beetle and whatever the Japanese all chugged around in as a first car in 1965 - Toyota Publica/Mazda Carol/Datsun whatever/Subaru 360 etc.

Next cheapest car in India - Maruti 800 - is retro already because it's a circa 1988 Suzuki Alto. The website advertises features of the car such as; grille, headlights, combined rear lights i.e. brake and rear and reverse all in one cluster.