Tata Nano Diesel by july-2009

The Economic Times has reported that Tata Motors may launch a diesel variant of the Tata Nano by mid-2010

Reports say that the Tata Nano diesel version could be priced at Rs 2 lakh, cheaper than the cheapest car in the Indian market, the Tata Indicab priced between Rs 3.06-3.3 lakh. We had initially reported that the diesel Tata Nano would be launched in July 2009

In 2008, Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata had said that the company would follow up the Tata Nano petrol version with the Tata Nano diesel version.

In mid-2008, some reports said that while the small diesel engine will have Bosch fuel injection systems, Tata Motors was developing a 684 cc diesel engine in collaboration with Diesel Engine specialist FEV, an independent engine and powertrain systems design and development company.

The diesel variant of the Tata Nano is likely to have the smallest Common Rail Turbocharged Diesel engine in the world.

Currently, 50 petrol Tata Nanos are being manufactured per day at the Pantnagar factory. The numbers will be ramped up when the Sanand facility, in Gujarat will be operational.

With the huge domestic demand for the Tata Nano, it is unlikely that Tata Motors will roll out the Tata Nano diesel version before the Sanand facility is up, and production for the Tata Nano petrol version is ramped up.

The Tata Nano was first unveiled at the 9th annual Auto Expo on January 10, 2008 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, India.

At the time of the Tata Nano launch, Tata Motors had said that the company will foray into electric and hybrid cars with Tata Nano as its base. Ratan Tata had said, “By and large we’ve always been a diesel company, so we will have a diesel version that will follow this variant soon after.”

Tata Motors has unveiled the Tata Nano Europa, its export model that will be sold in select international markets, at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The company also displayed the Tata Prima, its concept luxury sedan, and an electric version of the new generation Tata Indica Vista, the Tata Indica Vista EV.

Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata Group has said, “In India, the Tata Nano will be launched on March 23, 2009, and the cars will be on display at company dealerships from the first week of April. The Tata Nano has also generated wide interest in developed countries, since it’s unveiling in Delhi and its presentation here last year. We are delighted to present the Tata Nano Europa for future launch in such markets.”

Earlier Ratan Tata had said that the top-end variant of the Tata Nano would find its way in Europe, in due course. But now that the car meets the strict emission and safety standards in Europe, an international launch for the Tata Nano is feasible.

In India, the petrol variant of the Tata Nano will be commercially launched on March 23, 2009. Customers will be able to place bookings at all Tata dealerships from the second week of April 2009.