Tata Motors will showcase two new variants of the Tata Nano at the Auto Expo 2014. The Tata Nano Twist Active will essentially be the power-steered Nano with a tail gate that opens. Tata has been working on developing an opening tail gate since the Nano was launched in 2009 and is finally ready to offer this upgrade to customers later in the year. Nano owners have complained of the cumbersome access to the small luggage area via the rear seats and hence are sure to welcome the convenience of a tailgate that opens like any other hatchback. The opening tail gate however has increased the overall weight of the Nano by around 70-80kg which could affect fuel efficiency.
The surprise however is the Tata Nano AMT or the automatic variant, which could be cheapest automatic transmission car in the world when it goes on sale in 2015. Our sister magazine first broke the news that Tata Motors was developing an automated manual transmission (AMT) version of the Nano but its been revealed sooner than expected.
Tata Motors is on a mission to upgrade and improve its entire model range and according to sources there will be “nothing old parked” at Tata Motors’ stall this year. “Everything you see will be new and coming in the future” said a company source.
The Nano diesel will not be on display as the company is re-evaluating the feasibility of this variant which, according to insiders in Tata Motors, has been temporarily shelved.