tata Archives | AutoDepot

Report: Tata Xenon Tuff Truck Concept bows in Australia

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Australia, Tata, Diesel, Off-Road

Tata Xenon Tuff Truck Concept - front three-quarter studio view

Following the cancellation of the Melbourne Motor Show, it would appear that automakers in Australia are looking for creative new ways to show off vehicles to consumers. Enter the country’s National 4×4 and Outdoors Show and Fishing and Boating Expo. India’s Tata Motors has used this weekend’s festivities to reveal an off-road concept version of its Xenon pickup called the Tata Xenon Tuff Truck Concept.

In a land where midsize trucks are still a popular segment, the Tuff Truck Concept looks like a good way to create some excitement, and it is, without a doubt, an attention-grabbing rig. As is often the way with such things, the Australian-designed Tuff Truck Concept is not intended for production, but the Oz authorities at GoAuto.com say Tata might consider building a production version in the future.

For this concept, Tata started with a standard Xenon and then fitted it with everything needed to help it traverse Australia’s rugged Outback, including features like bigger wheels with meatier tires, an intake snorkel, LED running and off-road lights and a flush rear bumper with integrated D-rings. For more wow factor, it has all been finished off with a matte gray paint color apparently borrowed from corporate cousins Jaguar and Land Rover. The menacing look was conceived of by none other than Julian Quincey, chief designer at Holden Special Vehicles, a.k.a. HSV.

Tata will launch itself in Australia on the back of the Xenon pickup, but the standard truck won’t offer all the toys seen on the Tuff Truck. However, it will feature a 2.2-liter turbodiesel offering 148 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque paired exclusively with a manual transmission. Tata is reportedly considering selling passenger cars in Oz as well, but the Nano is not expected to be a part of the program.

Tata Xenon Tuff Truck Concept bows in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Aug 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Tata Xenon Tuff Truck Concept bows in Australia”

Official: Tata Nano updated, world’s cheapest car gets CNG option

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, India, MISC

2013 Tata Nano - blue

Back when it went on sale in 2008, the Tata Nano was heralded as something of a new Model T for developing economies. As the world’s cheapest new car – and not by a little – the four-door Indian runabout was poised to usher in a new age of personal transportation to the world. But things didn’t quite work out that way, and the discount rear-drive minicar has seen its sales fortunes undone by all manner of issues, from reports of fires and quality issues to protests at its assembly plant and poor public reception. But Tata Motors isn’t giving up on the Nano just yet, having just unveiled a newly updated design and a compressed natural gas (CNG) model.

The new updates don’t register as much more than a mid-cycle refresh, with small differences outside like a new rear fascia with mesh inserts and additional chrome trim. More meaningful updates indoors include a revamped center console and a new twin glovebox, updated upholstery, body-color trim bits and available extras that include remote keyless entry, a four-speaker AmphiStream audio setup with Bluetooth and USB hookups. Minor controls have also been relocated for improved ergonomics, and there’s a slightly larger steering wheel to ease parking maneuvers. In addition, a range of new personalization kits are available, including things like body graphics, aero kits, different alloy wheels and contrasting roof treatments.

The conventional two-cylinder gas powertrain remains unchanged, giving 37 horsepower. The new bi-fuel Emax model runs on gasoline and, with the flick of a switch, CNG. The four-stroke, 624-cc engine features an aluminum head and block, and it offers 37 hp on gas and 33 on CNG, while the torque peak sits at 38 lb-ft under gasoline power and 33 lb-ft on natural gas.

Along with the revamped Nano, Tata Motors also rolled out updated versions of its Indica, Indigo, Safari and Sumo models.

Tata Nano updated, world’s cheapest car gets CNG option originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Official: Tata Nano updated, world’s cheapest car gets CNG option”

Report: Tata to double Nano production amidst sales uptick

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Tata

2011 Tata Nano CX

2011 Tata Nano CX – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Tata Nano has enjoyed an increase in sales in the last couple of months, reportedly sparking Tata Motors to double production of its budget-minded microcar this fiscal year. In March, the Indian automaker moved 8,707 examples, pulling to within spitting distance of its 9,000-unit sales record for July, 2010.

After a summer selling record numbers, the Nano’s sales plummeted to just 589 in November, following numerous reports that alleged that the cars were mysteriously bursting into flames. After the mysterious fires, Tata offered free extended warranties on the cars, up to 90 percent financing on easy terms, and a comprehensive maintenance plan at just 99 rupees a month (about $2.25 U.S.).

The incentives seem to have struck a chord with buyers, and the Nano is right back where it was a year ago. Currently, Tata is building 9,000-10,000 cars a month at its Sanand, India plant, and had planned to increase that rate to 15,000 this fiscal year. In light of the sales spike, though, that number was bumped to 18,000 to 20,000 units a month.

Gallery: 2011 Tata Nano CX: Quick Spin

[Source: The Hindu Business Line]

Report: Tata to double Nano production amidst sales uptick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Tata to double Nano production amidst sales uptick”

Autoblog Podcast #222: Chevy Colorado, Porsche 918, Tata Nano for U.S. and J.D. Power Reliability

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Chevrolet, Porsche, Tata

Autoblog podcast logo

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Autoblog Podcast #222 is ready to go, and the crew this week is Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman and Dan Roth. Joining this trio is Dave Sullivan of AutoPacific, and topics range from the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado, to the Porsche 918 Spyder, the possibility of the Tata Nano in the States and J.D. Power Reliability results. Your feedback in our Q&A module winds us up, and we’ve embedded that in the post below, as well. Thanks for listening, we’ll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #222: Chevrolet Colorado concept, Porsche 918 Spyder, Tata Nano in the U.S. and JD Power Reliability

Next-generation Chevrolet Colorado unveiled
Porsche 918 Spyder
Tata Nano to be offered in the U.S.?
JD Power Dependability study
Detroit News’ Scott Burgess resigns

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Jeep Patriot
2011 Audi A8
2011 Hyundai Equus

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Guest: Dave Sullivan

Runtime: 01:28:10

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #222: Chevy Colorado, Porsche 918, Tata Nano for U.S. and J.D. Power Reliability originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Autoblog Podcast #222: Chevy Colorado, Porsche 918, Tata Nano for U.S. and J.D. Power Reliability”

Geneva 2011: Tata Pixel Concept turns on itself

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Hatchback, Tata, Diesel

Tata Pixel Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Tata has revealed its Euro city car concept in Geneva today and it’s a trick little piece. First off, Tata says it is the most efficiently-packaged four-seater in the world, comfortably seating four regulation-size adults in a car just 10 feet long.

Even more trick is the car’s zero turning radius system, which, in simple terms, rotates the rear wheels in separate directions to make parking as easy as possible in tight spaces. According to Tata, the system works with the help of something called a “Zero Turn turoidal traction-drive Infinitely Variable Transmission. Right. The effect is that the outside rear wheel spins forward while the inside wheels spins backward, creating a pivot point.

In keeping with the modern microcar trend, Tata claims that the Pixel will return more than 60 mpg and only releases 89 grams of C02 per kilometer. The efficiency comes by way of a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbodiesel, which, though it isn’t a full hybrid, employs stop-start technology and regenerative battery charging.

Could we be looking at a blueprint for a future Nano? Perhaps more in form factor than in specific technologies, but either way, this is a nifty looking little space egg.

Gallery: Tata Pixel Concept: Geneva 2011

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Tata]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Tata Pixel Concept turns on itself

Geneva 2011: Tata Pixel Concept turns on itself originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Geneva 2011: Tata Pixel Concept turns on itself”

Report: Tata pours $15M into project researching water as fuel

Filed under: Technology, Earnings/Financials, Tata

Ratan Tata has a drink

The lure of extracting hydrogen from water in a somewhat real-time fashion in sufficient quantities to power an automobile has so far been a complete dead-end pursuit. One of the biggest problems is that it takes more energy to release the hydrogen from its water-tight bonds than is actually returned by the resulting hydrogen.

But those basic laws of physics haven’t stopped scientists with well-funded checkbooks from trying. The latest endeavor comes from Daniel Nocera of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is being funded by Indian businessman Ratan Tata, who, among other things, heads the global automaker that bears his name. At this time, the total grant comes in at $15 million.

As intriguing as all of this sounds, it bears mentioning that water-powered cars have repeatedly failed in their missions (see here) of offering nearly free fuel for all.

Take the story of the MDI’s air car. In 2007, Tata signed a deal with MDI to bring the air-powered car to market and the companies said in early 2008 that the car would require nearly two years of work. We have heard little about it since then except a name change to FlowAir and a lot of skepticism that it would ever see the light of day at all. Will Tata’s hydrogen bet fare any better? Thanks to Matteo and Roy B. for the tips!

[Sources: Sify News, ANSA.IT | Image: AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade]

Report: Tata pours $15M into project researching water as fuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Tata pours $15M into project researching water as fuel”

Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, India, Tata, Design/Style, Luxury

Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries – Click above for image gallery

Try to imagine the most basic car on the road, and you’ll likely conjure up images of the Tata Nano. The Citroën 2CV of our time, the Nano was conceived as bare-bones, bargain-basement transport for the masses. But while it makes the rest of us wonder how much our own cars are really worth, sales of the diminutive budget car have been lagging in the wake of safety concerns after cars were reported to be spontaneously combusting due to bad wiring and such.

To drum up enthusiasm for the Nano, Tata has brought in one of its subsidiaries, Titan Industries, to give the car a more luxe appearance in the form of gold and jewels. Celebrating the 5,000th anniversary of Indian jewelry, Tata and Titan launched a public campaign to solicit designs for a bedazzled Nano. Thirteen designs came in, with the winner you see here chosen just a few days ago. The conspicuous one-off will be crafted out of pure gold by Titan at its facility in Bagalore. Have a closer look at the winning design, along with a couple of the runners-up, in the gallery below.

Gallery: Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries

[Source: International Business Times]

Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold”

Video: Tata Nano gets cuddly new television ad

Filed under: Budget, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, India, Tata

Tata Nano ad

She loves the new Tata Nano in the driveway – Click above to watch the video after the break

If small equals cute, the Tata Nano might be the cuddly-wuddliest little car in the world. Sadly, that cuteness isn’t necessarily translating into sales at the level the Indian automaker was planning for. Hence, advertisements.

While Tata usually veers towards the humor side of the advertising coin, for its first Nano commercial, Tata has decided to dance upon the heartstrings of the Indian audience, and rather successfully we might add. ‘Course, we’re not Indian, and no, those weren’t tears – we just had something in our eye…

Click on past the break to watch the Tata Nano advertisement, where you’ll see an adorable little girl with too much eye makeup asking her grandmother when their new microcar will make it home. As you’ll see in the video, the Nano impresses all who see it on its journey from dealership to neighborhood. And it finally gets a little eye makeup of its own. Aww…

[Source: YouTube via Indian Autos Blog]

Continue reading Video: Tata Nano gets cuddly new television ad

Video: Tata Nano gets cuddly new television ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Tata Nano gets cuddly new television ad”

Tata Nano retrofitted with four-year warranty to assuage quality fears

Filed under: Safety, Tata

2010 Tata Nano

2011 Tata Nano – click above for high-res image gallery

Tata Nano sales may have started out strong, but a number of price increases and several reports of electrical or exhaust fires have resulted in a huge sales plunge for the world’s most affordable vehicle. Last month, Tata sold just 509 copies of the micro mini – a far cry from the massive waiting list for the Nano back in 2009.

Automotive News reports that the Indian automaker is looking to once again win over perspective buyers by introducing a four-year factory warranty. What’s more, Tata will extend the warranty to all 70,000 owners already in the books. The automaker has attempted to fix the vehicle fire issue as well, offering all 70,000 owners the option of installing “additional safety protection in the exhaust system and the electrical system.” Tata claims that foreign contaminants in and around the electrical system and exhaust system could be responsible for the fires.

Gallery: 2011 Tata Nano CX: Quick Spin

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Tata Nano retrofitted with four-year warranty to assuage quality fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Tata Nano retrofitted with four-year warranty to assuage quality fears”

Report: Tata Nano sales plunge to just 589 units in November

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, India, Tata

2011 Tata Nano CX

2011 Tata Nano CX – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Tata Nano was such a hot commodity when it entered the Indian market that Tata Motors felt compelled to hold a lottery to determine the first 100,000 customers. A reported 70,000 copies of the $2,500+ econobox have been sold to date, but November apparently didn’t budge that number much.

Bloomberg reports that only 589 Nano models were sold in November; a minuscule total for a mass-market car. Tata CEO Carl-Peter Forster reportedly blames a lack of financing options as the reason customers aren’t buying. Forster claims that the Nano is popular with customers who currently use a bike or motorcycle for transportation, and the feeling is that banks fear that extending a loan to a lower income buyer could bring increased risk of default.

But while bank loans are one problem, another issue could stem from the fact that the Nano has been in the news for catching fire. That’s definitely not a desirable feature, and we’re thinking that customers who plunk down their life savings for their first vehicle don’t want their low-cost car to turn into a pricey car-b-que. The ‘no loans’ theory sounds even less likely after hearing that overall Tata sales in November were 54,622, up one percent year-over-year. And the icing on the cake? Tata has also raised the price of the Nano twice over the past few months; $198 in October and four percent back in July. That’s about $300 more than the car sold for at launch.

Gallery: 2011 Tata Nano CX: Quick Spin

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Tata Nano sales plunge to just 589 units in November originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Tata Nano sales plunge to just 589 units in November”