Not content with the success of the very fuel efficient eCS and eV2, Tata is looking at upping the fuel efficiency quotient of its cars. On display were a pair of solutions; one heavily technical, the other a bit of clever engineering.
First up is the Manza hybrid concept which Tata is looking at putting into production quite seriously. Both a series and parallel hybrid, this car uses a 3-cyl version of Tata’s 1.4 DiCOR engine. Known as the 1.05-DiCOR, Tata has used a balancer shaft and made some changes to the turbo to improve the base efficiency of the engine. Added to this will be an electric power source with a 45kW electric traction motor. Energy storage will be taken care of by more expensive Li-ion batteries. A roof-mounted solar panel will trickle-feed some charge to the batteries, as will regenerative braking. This could also be Tata’s first car to get bi-xenon headlamps.
The 1.05-litre DiCOR unit is also expected to power the Vista. Tata has been testing the car and engineers claim startling fuel efficiency that will set a new benchmark, possibly making it one of the most efficient cars in its class. The 3-cyl will be more efficient than the 4-cyl engine due to reduced cubic capacity and lower internal friction. However, as with other three-cylinder engines, a lot of its success will depend on how refined and well balanced this engine will be.