2012 Tata Nano America Details

In case you're wondering, Tata Motors is the company that paid $2.6 billion in 2007 to acquire British luxury-vehicle maker Jaguar Land Rover from Ford.

Though JLR is something of a financial drain on Tata in the worsening worldwide recession, it does provide a wealth of global marketing know-how that should pay dividends in bringing "the world's cheapest car" to rich-world buyers.

At a minimum, the 2012 Tata Nano America will share all the Europa's upgrades over India-market models. The main one is a larger 3-cylinder engine, another all-aluminum unit with multipoint fuel injection, very low claimed CO2 emissions, and likely overall fuel economy above 50 miles per gallon. Tata is so far mum on displacement or outputs, but a look at comparable Japanese and Korean minicars suggests a 1.0-liter powerplant with around 65 horsepower and that many pound-feet of torque. Tata does confirm a 5-speed automatic transmission will replace the basic Nano's 4-speed manual. Though the company won't say more about that point either, we wouldn't be surprised to see a low-cost automated-manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) instead of a conventional torque-converter automatic, which would cost too much and sap too much power. All Nanos carry the powertrain on a separate rear sub-frame, an unexpected plus for refinement. That includes the radiator, which receives cooling air from a vertical bodyside scoop ahead of each rear wheel.

Like the Europa, the 2012 Tata Nano America could be some 7.5 inches longer than the basic model, reflecting a 2-inch-longer wheelbase and larger, restyled bumpers that are presumably strengthened for Western crash tests. The Geneva display cars indicate the America/Europa will also get higher-quality interior trim--including ersatz chrome accents and available leather upholstery--plus a rear wiper and washer, sound-deadening material, and at least four airbags, all absent from basic Nanos. Antilock brakes and a stability system with traction control are promised too, and could be standard on top-trim models. The same applies to air conditioning, front power windows, power door locks, and fog lights. Finally, the premium Nano exchanges flat-face headlamp units for a more-stylish "three-hole" design.

Of course, all these changes won't come for free. Indeed, several sources predict the 2012 Tato Nano America (Europa, too) will cost over twice as much as its no-frills parent. Still, the rumored base figure is only some $7,000, which should be more than class-competitive in the States and thus very attractive to budget-minded shoppers.