With the success of the Nano car, the word 'Nano' has become a buzzword within the Tata group, with practically every company of the group wanting to do some 'Nano' (low-cost) project, R. Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director, Tata Sons Ltd, said on Monday. Speaking to journalists here on 'Innovation and innovativeness - The Tata Experience', Gopalakrishnan said that there were many 'Nano' projects in the offing, such as Nano Housing, the proposed low-cost housing project of the Tatas. In one of the presentations made to the media by the Tata Group officials today, showed a 'Nano cement' - but that came in the list of projects that had not taken off.
Need to innovate
Gopalakrishnan observed that the next decade would be one marked by the need to innovate. This in mind, the Tata Group has begun to streamline and document the innovations that are happening in the group companies.
A Tata Group innovation forum has been set up to formalise innovation, which includes cross pollination of ideas and a system of recognition and awards. The idea is to foster the culture of innovation and as such, there is a category of awards even for failed innovation projects.
Dr Santanu Chakrabarti of Tata Steels Ltd spoke of a successful attempt in the company to reduce time, and consumption of water, in the process of annealing steel. The team that worked on the project substituted water with 'nano liquid' - a water-based solution containing suspended solids (fine grains of metal oxides).
For a one-time investment of Rs 50 lakh, the company would save Rs 5 crore annually, but more significantly, the company will be able to make more steel with less waterOne of the presentations said that the number of innovation projects registered for awards rose from 101 in 2006 to 1,712 in 2009. The number of failed projects that were nominated for awards increased from 12 in 2007 to 115 in 2009.
One of the 'failed projects' was of Tata Tetley. The company wanted to bring in flavours in the form of soluble capsules - you put them in your drink (any drink) to get the flavour you want. It did not work out, but the company is now working on the concept with liquids and sprays.
Another failed concept was a plastic door for the Nano car. The door, with reinforced metal bars, passed every crash test, but was still rejected because it might be perceived by the public as unsafe.
Showing posts with label Nano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nano. Show all posts
Tata Motors Denies Nano Recall
Tata Nano never ceased to hit headlines ever since Ratan Tata conceived the idea of making a one lakh car. Wednesday’s media reports that Tata is recalling the Nanos in the wake of some of them turning into fireballs raised many eyebrows.
However, Tata has denied any such recalls saying “the Tata Nano is a safe car with a robust design, state-of-the-art components and is built with uncompromising attention to quality in all aspects. This has been re-established through a second analysis, conducted during the months of September and October 2010. “
The company has reassured the customers that there are no generic defects in the Tata Nano.
Anyways, Tata is not taking the incidents of Nanos catching fire lightly. They have decided to make the car even more reliable by providing additional protection in the exhaust system and the electrical system.
As of October 2010, Tata has delivered over 70,000 Tata Nano cars and about 85% customers are said to be satisfied with the car.
However, Tata has denied any such recalls saying “the Tata Nano is a safe car with a robust design, state-of-the-art components and is built with uncompromising attention to quality in all aspects. This has been re-established through a second analysis, conducted during the months of September and October 2010. “
The company has reassured the customers that there are no generic defects in the Tata Nano.
Anyways, Tata is not taking the incidents of Nanos catching fire lightly. They have decided to make the car even more reliable by providing additional protection in the exhaust system and the electrical system.
As of October 2010, Tata has delivered over 70,000 Tata Nano cars and about 85% customers are said to be satisfied with the car.
Tata Nano Exterior Reviews
There are few examples of an automobile that is as sharply focused on one issue as is the Nano on frugality - of manufacture, of acquisition and of regular maintenance.
And so, every single part of the car was approached with a fresh intent and without the pre-fixed notion of how it already exists in other cars. The idea was to keep the weight of the car low, so that it can offer high fuel-efficiency, meet emission norms and be capable of being manufactured within the pre-defined cost. These points were also important to ensure that the theme of frugality can be extended to include low cost of ownership.
To meet these targets, first Tata engineers chose a hybrid-monocoque chassis for the Nano. Compared to the conventional monocoque chassis used in most modern cars, in the Nano, the light-weight frame and sub-frame, together with long members for additional rigidity have been welded to the monocoque body shell. This has helped keep the Nano’s panels lean and light-weight, without compromising the small car’s safety record. The Nano meets front impact and side impact collision requirements.
Tata engineers have also used other innovative low-cost/ low-weight features like the ribbed panel for the roof and the stiff cross-member located just behind the driver and co-driver seats for improved rigidity and side-impact protection.
Some of the other parts that were compacted or miniaturised include a specially developed tiny fuel pump, a smaller than average 80 cc, rotary-vane compressor for the air-conditioner and a compact outside rear view mirror. The mirror itself is fixed to the door mounted stalk using a simple ball and socket joint so that it can take knocks on our crowded streets without breaking up.
The Nano’s frugality focus has also meant that every ounce of efficiency has been squeezed out of every part. That has been the reason for the choice of 12-inch light-weight steel wheel rims, tubeless tyres because they offer lower rolling resistance and are nowadays only as expensive as ‘tubed’ radials, and that has also been the reason why the fuel tank capacity of the Nano has been kept at a compact 15-litres. Small cars like Chevrolet Spark, Hyundai Santro and Maruti 800 have a turning radius of above 4.4m and in the case of Spark and Santro, even aided with a power steering. Nano has a tighter turning radius of 4m, so most drivers will not miss power steering in the Nano.
The compact size of the Nano has not meant that its payload capacity is compromised. It is rated to carry four adults and luggage weighing a total of 300 kgs. Fully loaded, the Nano is only slightly heavier than the unladen Santro. The Nano is not offered with a few features like the left hand side outer rear view mirror. It is an optional dealer-level fitment even in the CX and LX variants.
But, one of the features that it has managed to do away with again due to ingenious frugal engineering is the need for a headlamp-levelling system. It would have led to added costs. By fine tuning the suspension dynamics to ensure that there is no change in the angle and alignment of the headlamp beam due to uneven distribution of weight in the car, Tata engineers have ensured that the Nano be exempt from incorporating headlamp-levelling.
With a rear-mounted engine, the Nano also features some very unique positions for key, heavy parts to keep the weight distribution within a 40:60 ratio between the front and rear. As a result, the battery is located right below the driver’s seat and the fuel tank is located below and just behind the co-driver’s seat. Further, to ensure that the stability and handling of the Nano is not compromised, the car has been given wider 155/65 tyres at the rear, compared to the 135/70 at the front.
And so, every single part of the car was approached with a fresh intent and without the pre-fixed notion of how it already exists in other cars. The idea was to keep the weight of the car low, so that it can offer high fuel-efficiency, meet emission norms and be capable of being manufactured within the pre-defined cost. These points were also important to ensure that the theme of frugality can be extended to include low cost of ownership.
To meet these targets, first Tata engineers chose a hybrid-monocoque chassis for the Nano. Compared to the conventional monocoque chassis used in most modern cars, in the Nano, the light-weight frame and sub-frame, together with long members for additional rigidity have been welded to the monocoque body shell. This has helped keep the Nano’s panels lean and light-weight, without compromising the small car’s safety record. The Nano meets front impact and side impact collision requirements.
Tata engineers have also used other innovative low-cost/ low-weight features like the ribbed panel for the roof and the stiff cross-member located just behind the driver and co-driver seats for improved rigidity and side-impact protection.
Some of the other parts that were compacted or miniaturised include a specially developed tiny fuel pump, a smaller than average 80 cc, rotary-vane compressor for the air-conditioner and a compact outside rear view mirror. The mirror itself is fixed to the door mounted stalk using a simple ball and socket joint so that it can take knocks on our crowded streets without breaking up.
The Nano’s frugality focus has also meant that every ounce of efficiency has been squeezed out of every part. That has been the reason for the choice of 12-inch light-weight steel wheel rims, tubeless tyres because they offer lower rolling resistance and are nowadays only as expensive as ‘tubed’ radials, and that has also been the reason why the fuel tank capacity of the Nano has been kept at a compact 15-litres. Small cars like Chevrolet Spark, Hyundai Santro and Maruti 800 have a turning radius of above 4.4m and in the case of Spark and Santro, even aided with a power steering. Nano has a tighter turning radius of 4m, so most drivers will not miss power steering in the Nano.
The compact size of the Nano has not meant that its payload capacity is compromised. It is rated to carry four adults and luggage weighing a total of 300 kgs. Fully loaded, the Nano is only slightly heavier than the unladen Santro. The Nano is not offered with a few features like the left hand side outer rear view mirror. It is an optional dealer-level fitment even in the CX and LX variants.
But, one of the features that it has managed to do away with again due to ingenious frugal engineering is the need for a headlamp-levelling system. It would have led to added costs. By fine tuning the suspension dynamics to ensure that there is no change in the angle and alignment of the headlamp beam due to uneven distribution of weight in the car, Tata engineers have ensured that the Nano be exempt from incorporating headlamp-levelling.
With a rear-mounted engine, the Nano also features some very unique positions for key, heavy parts to keep the weight distribution within a 40:60 ratio between the front and rear. As a result, the battery is located right below the driver’s seat and the fuel tank is located below and just behind the co-driver’s seat. Further, to ensure that the stability and handling of the Nano is not compromised, the car has been given wider 155/65 tyres at the rear, compared to the 135/70 at the front.
Tata Nano Interiors Review
Much has already been written about the Nano’s vital statistics in terms of interior space compared to its nearest rival – the Maruti 800. But, it still does take you by surprise when you get to sit inside the Nano and personally get a feel of the space that has been leveraged out of a tall, relatively narrow outer shell.
There is considerable headroom and the fact that there is no engine under bonnet in the front helps the Nano offer deep foot wells and so lots of legroom for front passengers. At 1,652mm, the Nano is about 6 cms taller than the Hyundai Santro Xing, the tall-boy of small cars and it is also wider than both the small cars.
With the engine being positioned at the rear and just above the rear axle, the extremely stubby, short bonnet only houses the spare wheel and tyre, the air-conditioner condenser, air-conditioner’s air intake (in the LX and CX variants), the fuel filling point, and the tanks for the windscreen washer fluid and the brake fluid. There isn’t anymore space there and so no other storage option has been provided.
The Nano is a two-box car and is not a hatchback in the conventional sense of the term, since there is no hatch door to open out at the rear. In fact, though the rear of the Nano looks like it has an integrated hatch door, there are actually two parts – the rear glass and the rectangular, curved metal panel below it, both of which are fixed and bolted on. Access to the rear luggage storage area of 130 litres is via the back seat. Fold down the rear seat and the parcel tray fixed to it and you can reach the luggage area. It is pretty simple to do, but is likely to be one of the points that will be most criticised. The process has to be repeated and another floor panel fixed with the help of six wing nuts have to be removed to gain access to the engine of the Nano.
So, for a regular top-up service or even simple diagnostics, the rear engine bay can be reached only this way. But, the rather awkward process has to be tolerated, since the Nano’s focus on low costs means many of these features that are taken for granted in other hatchbacks cannot be carried forward in the One-lakh car.
There is considerable headroom and the fact that there is no engine under bonnet in the front helps the Nano offer deep foot wells and so lots of legroom for front passengers. At 1,652mm, the Nano is about 6 cms taller than the Hyundai Santro Xing, the tall-boy of small cars and it is also wider than both the small cars.
With the engine being positioned at the rear and just above the rear axle, the extremely stubby, short bonnet only houses the spare wheel and tyre, the air-conditioner condenser, air-conditioner’s air intake (in the LX and CX variants), the fuel filling point, and the tanks for the windscreen washer fluid and the brake fluid. There isn’t anymore space there and so no other storage option has been provided.
The Nano is a two-box car and is not a hatchback in the conventional sense of the term, since there is no hatch door to open out at the rear. In fact, though the rear of the Nano looks like it has an integrated hatch door, there are actually two parts – the rear glass and the rectangular, curved metal panel below it, both of which are fixed and bolted on. Access to the rear luggage storage area of 130 litres is via the back seat. Fold down the rear seat and the parcel tray fixed to it and you can reach the luggage area. It is pretty simple to do, but is likely to be one of the points that will be most criticised. The process has to be repeated and another floor panel fixed with the help of six wing nuts have to be removed to gain access to the engine of the Nano.
So, for a regular top-up service or even simple diagnostics, the rear engine bay can be reached only this way. But, the rather awkward process has to be tolerated, since the Nano’s focus on low costs means many of these features that are taken for granted in other hatchbacks cannot be carried forward in the One-lakh car.
Test Driving the Tata Nano Review
Before allowing me behind the wheel of a Tata Nano test car at Tata Motors’ engineering research center and high-speed testing center here two hours south of Mumbai, a team of engineers told the story of the car’s gestation.
Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, envisioned a safe, affordable and all-weather form of transport for Indian families that couldn’t afford a car. The vehicle Mr. Tata dreamed of would have a starting price of only 100,000 rupees ($2,000).
The engineering team was never short of ideas, said David Hudson of Tata Motors. For instance, they considered the use of plastic body panels and, in one case, having only one door on the driver’s side, he said.
But the fact is, the Nano is actually frighteningly conventional in its design, Mr. Hudson said. The Nano’s body and chassis are steel, while the bumpers are plastic. Only 122 inches long, the Nano is the shortest four-passenger car on sale in India, though it looks bigger than it is because of its height and wide stance.
The Nano has a 32-horsepower, 624-cc, 2-cylinder engine mounted in the rear. Access is given to the engine via a removable panel underneath the foldable rear seat. Despite being a fraction of the size of most economy-car engines, the all-aluminum engine provides reasonable pep. Engine noise is also far less than one might imagine given the size and simplicity of the Nano.
Acceleration is hardly neck-snapping. An informal timed run from zero to 50 miles an hour took 16.4 seconds; a Tata engineer said the company’s testing time is about one second faster.
The steering lacks power assistance but directs the car nicely. The turning circle of the Nano is undoubtedly one of its best parlor tricks: With a turning radius of only four meters, the Nano is nearly capable of doing a 360-degree turn in its own tiny shadow. Three models are available in India: the base, midlevel CX and the LX. With taxes and fees, the base runs about $2,200; the fully equipped LX is $3,360.
The majority of cars Tata provided for testing purposes were LX models, with features like air-conditioning, power brakes, and fancier seat and door-panel trim. On a 93-degree day, the A/C was much appreciated and had little measurable impact on acceleration.
The Nano is capable of seating four adults, but five hopped on board for a short run to gauge the performance difference with nearly 700 pounds of people on board. The Nano itself tips the scales at only 1,322 pounds, so acceleration naturally suffered. Yet the ride remained stable and comfortable.
Perhaps the most crucial test of the Nano came when Tata allowed a brief drive through the neighboring town of Pimpri. Weaving the Nano between lumbering trucks, auto rickshaws and pedestrians (not to mention the occasional goat and stray dog), the Nano didn’t miss a beat. Many fellow motorists took notice of India’s “People’s Car” out for a spin. A group of children cheered and waved as the Nano rolled through town.
HIGHLIGHTS
By Nick Kurczewski
Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, envisioned a safe, affordable and all-weather form of transport for Indian families that couldn’t afford a car. The vehicle Mr. Tata dreamed of would have a starting price of only 100,000 rupees ($2,000).
The engineering team was never short of ideas, said David Hudson of Tata Motors. For instance, they considered the use of plastic body panels and, in one case, having only one door on the driver’s side, he said.
But the fact is, the Nano is actually frighteningly conventional in its design, Mr. Hudson said. The Nano’s body and chassis are steel, while the bumpers are plastic. Only 122 inches long, the Nano is the shortest four-passenger car on sale in India, though it looks bigger than it is because of its height and wide stance.
The Nano has a 32-horsepower, 624-cc, 2-cylinder engine mounted in the rear. Access is given to the engine via a removable panel underneath the foldable rear seat. Despite being a fraction of the size of most economy-car engines, the all-aluminum engine provides reasonable pep. Engine noise is also far less than one might imagine given the size and simplicity of the Nano.
Acceleration is hardly neck-snapping. An informal timed run from zero to 50 miles an hour took 16.4 seconds; a Tata engineer said the company’s testing time is about one second faster.
The steering lacks power assistance but directs the car nicely. The turning circle of the Nano is undoubtedly one of its best parlor tricks: With a turning radius of only four meters, the Nano is nearly capable of doing a 360-degree turn in its own tiny shadow. Three models are available in India: the base, midlevel CX and the LX. With taxes and fees, the base runs about $2,200; the fully equipped LX is $3,360.
The majority of cars Tata provided for testing purposes were LX models, with features like air-conditioning, power brakes, and fancier seat and door-panel trim. On a 93-degree day, the A/C was much appreciated and had little measurable impact on acceleration.
The Nano is capable of seating four adults, but five hopped on board for a short run to gauge the performance difference with nearly 700 pounds of people on board. The Nano itself tips the scales at only 1,322 pounds, so acceleration naturally suffered. Yet the ride remained stable and comfortable.
Perhaps the most crucial test of the Nano came when Tata allowed a brief drive through the neighboring town of Pimpri. Weaving the Nano between lumbering trucks, auto rickshaws and pedestrians (not to mention the occasional goat and stray dog), the Nano didn’t miss a beat. Many fellow motorists took notice of India’s “People’s Car” out for a spin. A group of children cheered and waved as the Nano rolled through town.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Only 122 inches long, the Nano is the shortest four-passenger car on sale in India, though it looks bigger than it is because of its height and wide stance.
- Despite being a fraction of the size of most economy-car engines, the all-aluminum engine provides reasonable pep.
- Engine noise is also far less than one might imagine given the size and simplicity of the Nano.
- The turning circle of the Nano is undoubtedly one of its best parlor tricks: With a turning radius of only four meters,..
- The steering lacks power assistance but directs the car nicely.
By Nick Kurczewski
Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award for the Nano
Tata Motors has won the Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award in the 'Transportation' category. Tata Motors won the award for the Nano, which is credited with being 'a very impressive design accomplishment' by the judges. Over 700 entries were received, which were narrowed down to 162 for the final selection by the judges. The judges looked for innovations that broke new ground in their fields and demonstrated some measurable impact. The awards ceremony will be held on October 21, 2008 in California, in conjunction with the Dow Jones Alternative Energy Innovations Conference.
Tata Nano: Specifications | Overall Dimensions
| OVERALL DIMENSIONS | |
| Overall Length | 3099 mm |
| Overall Width | 1495 mm (& 1620 mm with ORVM) |
| Overall Height | 1652 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2230 mm |
| Ground clearance | 180 mm |
| Min. Turning Circle Radius | 4 m |
| Seating Capacity | 4 persons |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15 Liters |
| Kerb Weight | |
| Nano | 600 kg |
| Nano CX | 615 kg |
| Nano LX | 635 kg |
| Payload | 300 kg |
For More Specifications (Click)
know more about Nano (Click)
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Tata Nano Europa: A Cheap Car Gets Less Cheap For Europe
The tiny and fascinating Tata Nano will supposedly go on sale at the end of this month in India, but this didn't stop CEO Ratan Tata from previewing an "upscale" model for the European market.
We don't expect the Tata to go on sale anytime soon in Europe, especially given the EuroCAP safety standards, but we appreciate the idea of a Tata Nano for a "future launch in such markets" as Ratan noted. So what does an upscale Nano look like? It looks similar to the regular Nano but gets an extra cylinder (up to 3!), redesigned interior, a host of safety equipment and an "all sheet metal" body. Seriously, it says this in the press release. New Nanos are apparently just as nice as early model..
Tata Nano Europa
With a length of 3.29 metres and width of 1.58 metres, the Tata Nano Europa continues to be stylishly petite but surprises with its spacious interior and generous leg space. The slightly longer wheelbase of 2.28 metres combines excellent space and manoeuvrability, further improving on the benchmark standard set by the Tata Nano. The enhanced spaciousness is complemented by redesigned interiors, marked by smooth curves and a high tech yet gentle feel.
To meet the driving needs of its target customers, the Tata Nano Europa will be powered by a 3-cylinder sporty all-aluminium MPFI engine matched with a 5-speed automatic transmission, and electric power steering. The gasoline engine will be class-leading, providing high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emission of less than 100 gm / km meeting the twin goals of being environmentally friendly and stylish – just like the Tata Nano.
The Tata Nano Europa meets all safety regulations. In addition to the all sheet-metal body, its energy absorbing design, use of advanced restraint systems, ABS, ESP and Air Bags will enhance passenger safety.
Just like the Tata Nano, the Tata Nano Europa incorporates exterior compactness with interior comfort and seeks to provide motorists the pleasure and utility of personal mobility combined with affordability and environment-friendliness, in a world where smaller, fuel-efficient cars are emerging as a preferred choice.
We don't expect the Tata to go on sale anytime soon in Europe, especially given the EuroCAP safety standards, but we appreciate the idea of a Tata Nano for a "future launch in such markets" as Ratan noted. So what does an upscale Nano look like? It looks similar to the regular Nano but gets an extra cylinder (up to 3!), redesigned interior, a host of safety equipment and an "all sheet metal" body. Seriously, it says this in the press release. New Nanos are apparently just as nice as early model..
Tata Nano Europa
With a length of 3.29 metres and width of 1.58 metres, the Tata Nano Europa continues to be stylishly petite but surprises with its spacious interior and generous leg space. The slightly longer wheelbase of 2.28 metres combines excellent space and manoeuvrability, further improving on the benchmark standard set by the Tata Nano. The enhanced spaciousness is complemented by redesigned interiors, marked by smooth curves and a high tech yet gentle feel.
To meet the driving needs of its target customers, the Tata Nano Europa will be powered by a 3-cylinder sporty all-aluminium MPFI engine matched with a 5-speed automatic transmission, and electric power steering. The gasoline engine will be class-leading, providing high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emission of less than 100 gm / km meeting the twin goals of being environmentally friendly and stylish – just like the Tata Nano.
The Tata Nano Europa meets all safety regulations. In addition to the all sheet-metal body, its energy absorbing design, use of advanced restraint systems, ABS, ESP and Air Bags will enhance passenger safety.
Just like the Tata Nano, the Tata Nano Europa incorporates exterior compactness with interior comfort and seeks to provide motorists the pleasure and utility of personal mobility combined with affordability and environment-friendliness, in a world where smaller, fuel-efficient cars are emerging as a preferred choice.
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