Tata eMO EV in Detroit

Engineering services firm Tata Technologies has been displaying its Electric Mobility Electric Vehicle (or eMO EV for short) at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The project was a participant in the 2012 Michelin Challenge Design programme, which had the theme ‘City 2046: Art, Life and Ingenuity - Transforming Personal Mobility.’



Entrants were asked to develop a vehicle that could carry between two and ten people, giving consideration to what transport infrastructure and needs might be like in the future.



Tata’s solution has been designed to maximise internal space while keeping the exterior dimensions as small as possible. The eMO EV concept - which was engineered with input from teams in India, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States - is a full four-seat car, although there’s no dedicated luggage compartment.



Drive to the front wheels is via a pair of electric motors that are fed by an 18.4 kW air-cooled, high density / high energy battery pack. Estimated range between recharges is 100 miles (161 km), and the eMO EV is capable of reaching a top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h). Not exactly quick then, but more than enough for congested city centres.



For the time being at least, the eMO EV will remain just a concept as there are no plans to put it into mass production.

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Better Tata Nano for 2012
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Better Tata Nano for 2012

Tata has announced a series of enhancements for its tiny Nano.



Changes to the rear-mounted 624 cc petrol engine have resulted in a rise in power from 35 bhp (26 kW / 35 PS) to 37 bhp (28 kW / 38 PS), while torque is up by 3 Nm (2.2 lb/ft) to 51 Nm (37.6 lb/ft). It doesn’t look like performance has been affected much though, as the top speed remains the same at 105 km/h (65 mph).



However, probably of more importance to potential Nano owners is the improved efficiency. ARAI cycle fuel economy is now 71.7 mpg (25.4 km/l / 3.9 l/100km), which is up from 66.6 mpg (23.6 km/l / 4.2 l/100km), and carbon dioxide emissions are an impressive 92.7 g/km.

The chassis hasn’t been ignored either, and alterations include the fitment of a front anti-roll bar, changes to the steering and retuned suspension settings. Power-assisted brakes have also become standard on all variants, which should be a good thing for active safety.



Completing the Nano’s transformation are totally new interiors, which are claimed to offer a more premium look and feel.



The Nano might no longer live up to its original ‘one-lakh car’ tag, but the good news for customers is that the latest improvements aren’t being accompanied by a price increase.



So, as before, the line-up kicks off with the Nano Standard at Rs.1.40 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is around £1,700 / €1,970 / US$2,670 at current exchange rates. As expected, the specification is fairly basic and it’s typified by vinyl-covered seats and a restricted colour choice of Aqua Blue, Rouge Red or Serene White. Nevertheless, as with all Nano trim grades, it comes with a decent four-year / 60,000 km warranty.



The mid-range Nano CX features black fabric upholstery, plus extra equipment such as a parcel shelf and a fold-down rear seat. Priced at Rs.1.70 lakhs, buyers can select from Champagne Gold, Papaya Orange, Rouge Red, Neon Rush, Meteor Silver or Serene White paintwork.



Finally, the Nano LX gets fog lights, a rear spoiler, full wheel covers, electric front windows, central locking and premium beige fabric seats. Costing Rs.1.96 lakhs, available colours for the LX are Champagne Gold, Mojito Green, Papaya Orange, Meteor Silver, Pearl White and Sunshine Yellow.



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Tata Pixel concept
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Tata Pixel concept

Tata’s contribution to the host of concept cars on display at the Geneva International Motor Show is the Pixel, a Nano-based city car designed especially for Europe.

Measuring just over three metres (about 9’10”) long, the Pixel’s party piece is its turning circle of just 2.6 metres (8’6”). That’s possible thanks to an acute steering lock on the front wheels, plus what Tata describes as ‘zero turn toroidal traction drive infinitely variable transmission’ - a system that pushes the outer rear wheel forward while moving the inner rear backwards.



Like the Nano, the Pixel is a full four-seater. Access to the cabin is via a pair of scissor doors, which look impressive and negate the need for four doors. However, judging by the images, their opening height could cause a few problems in parking garages or multi-storey car parks.



Power comes from a 1.2 litre, three-cylinder turbo diesel engine. Rear-mounted, it features stop-start technology and low friction internals for enhanced economy. Indeed, Tata claims that the Pixel will be good for 83.0 mpg (3.4 l/100km) and have CO2 emissions of 89 g/km.

Gold-plated Tata Nano

The Tata Nano and Ferrari 458 Italia don’t have much in common, but an unfortunate characteristic shared by early versions of both was a willingness to burst into flames.



For the Nano, that might partly explain why its sales figures are in freefall. Tata managed to shift 9,000 units in July, but the tiny car found just 509 buyers in November.



In such a situation, most manufacturers would resort to a special edition to help boost interest. And sure enough, it’s a tactic that Tata is using with the Nano, except the result is a little, well, unconventional.

Produced ostensibly to celebrate the 5,000th anniversary of Indian jewellery, the Goldplus Nano will be gold-plated. It’s named after a Titan Industries jewellery brand which, conveniently, is also part of the Tata Group. Might as well keep things in the family…



The design was chosen following a competition, and the Goldplus Nano is expected to be launched in April or May of 2011. Pricing has yet to be confirmed.

Nine electric cars get grant

The UK’s Department for Transport has announced the first nine models that will be eligible for its Plug-in Car Grant.



Beginning in January 2011, the scheme will see buyers able to claim 25% off the list price (up to a maximum of £5,000) per qualifying vehicle. The government has allocated £43M for the grants up until the end of March 2012, with a review of the programme’s viability beyond that date scheduled for January 2012.



The nine are:

Manufacturer	Model	First UK Deliveries	Price
Mitsubishi	i-MiEV	January 2011	£23,990 including grant
smart	fortwo electric drive	January 2011	TBC. Available to lease in limited volumes from January 2011 ahead of full series production starting in 2012
Peugeot	iOn	January 2011	Only available via four year lease at £415 plus VAT per month
Nissan	Leaf	March 2011	£23,990 including grant
Tata	Vista EV	March 2011	TBC
Citroën	CZero	Early 2011	Only available via four year lease at £415 plus VAT per month
Vauxhall	Ampera	Early 2012	£28,995 including grant
Toyota	Prius Plug-in Hybrid	Early 2012	TBC. Currently only available to lease in limited volumes
Chevrolet	Volt	Early 2012	TBC

smart fortwo electric drive

Although it looks like there’ll be plenty for customers to choose from, the choice isn’t as wide as it first appears. The Peugeot and Citroën are essentially re-badged versions of the Mitsubishi, while the Ampera shares its underpinnings with the Volt.

Peugeot iOn

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “Today’s news that motorists will be able to choose from at least nine cars under the consumer incentive scheme… will further reinforce the message that the UK is Europe’s leading producer of ultra low carbon vehicles."



Unfortunately the last part of that particular statement shouldn’t be taken at face value just yet. The only model on the list that is definitely confirmed for UK production is the Nissan Leaf. However, domestic manufacturing will only start in 2013, with cars being imported from Japan until then.



Meanwhile, GM Europe has yet to decide whether the Vauxhall Ampera will be built at Ellesmere Port in England, but it has confirmed that the Ampera’s UK price will be £28,995 after the Plug-in car Grant has been applied.

Vauxhall Ampera

A surprising inclusion is the Tata Vista EV, mainly because it’s an unknown quantity in the UK. Apparently it has been developed from the Indica Vista, the previous version of which was the basis for the almost universally unloved and derided CityRover.

Tata Indica Vista

Tata Motors European Technical Centre in Warwick has been involved in the project, and the rumour is that the Vista EV may be built in the UK. A location has yet to be disclosed so, unless there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes, an on-sale date of March 2011 seems very optimistic unless the initial cars are going to be imported from India. And then there’s the slight issue of not having a dealer network to sell through. Maybe Tata will use the showrooms of its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries?



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Mitsubishi i-MiEV costs

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Electric car grants saved

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The future’s electric