Autoweek review: Tata Nano

[ifcar]

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090323/CARREVIEWS/903239997

[Morris Minor]

I think this is great for providing affordable transportation for people in Third World countries - we should not judge it by the standards of prosperous western economies.

The Nano concept would have strike a chord with those who brought the Citroen 2CV into production in the late 1940s - simple - cheap & unpretentious.

[Galaxy]

I think this is great for providing affordable transportation for people in Third World countries - we should not judge it by the standards of prosperous western economies.

The Nano concept would have strike a chord with those who brought the Citroen 2CV into production in the late 1940s - simple - cheap & unpretentious.

The difference is that the 2CV has personality, the designers obviously took some kind of pride in their work, they did not mind that they are working on basic transportation.  The Nano looks like the design team wanted to get the project behind them as fast as possible.

[ifcar]

The difference is that the 2CV has personality, the designers obviously took some kind of pride in their work, they did not mind that they are working on basic transportation.  The Nano looks like the design team wanted to get the project behind them as fast as possible.

How do you figure? What gives the 2CV personality that the Nano lacks, and what would give you the idea that Tata's engineers don't take pride in their work?

[Byteme]

How do you figure? What gives the 2CV personality that the Nano lacks, and what would give you the idea that Tata's engineers don't take pride in their work?

Reminds me a lot of the mythical Cyclops car Road and Track wrote about for years.

I think this is a heck of a great concept.  I'd seriously consider the "Americanized" version described in the last paragraph.  Heck of a getting-around-town car.  Who needs a Tahoe to go two miles down the street to the grocery store?

[2o6]

The difference is that the 2CV has personality, the designers obviously took some kind of pride in their work, they did not mind that they are working on basic transportation.  The Nano looks like the design team wanted to get the project behind them as fast as possible.

Why, because the 2CV is french? I think the Nano is every bit as characterful as the original 2CV.



Besides, I think the Nano Europa (for EU and possibly US markets) is actually quite attractive.

[ifcar]

Reminds me a lot of the mythical Cyclops car Road and Track wrote about for years.

I think this is a heck of a great concept.  I'd seriously consider the "Americanized" version described in the last paragraph.  Heck of a getting-around-town car.  Who needs a Tahoe to go two miles down the street to the grocery store?

Or to Home Depot? All we really need is a Jaguar, right?

[Galaxy]

The version 206 posted above does look markedly better. I still it looks like something that the CW calculations spit out rather then what a designer would want it to look like. The 2CV and Beetle somehow look more charming imo.

[Cookie Monster]

I really like that Nano Europa and wouldn't mind getting one here.

[Laconian]

Perhaps that's because you are looking at the 2CV and the Beetle through a nostalgic lens. Even the blandest designs from the 60's that were considered bland (Falcon?) manage to look cool and retro today.

[SVT666]

Why, because the 2CV is french? I think the Nano is every bit as characterful as the original 2CV.



Besides, I think the Nano Europa (for EU and possibly US markets) is actually quite attractive.

That looks much better then the Smart.  If it was $5K or less, I would consider it for a runabout.

[the Teuton]

Chrysler had the idea way before Tata, but as they say the world doesn't run on concept cars.

[Laconian]

Chrysler had the idea way before Tata, but as they say the world doesn't run on concept cars.

Now THAT is a 2CV ripoff. It even has the mismatching roof color. HOly shit.

[Vinsanity]

That looks much better then the Smart.  If it was $5K or less, I would consider it for a runabout.

I dunno. If I just wanted a runabout, I'm sure I could find a good NA Miata for $5,000.

[ChrisV]

I dunno. If I just wanted a runabout, I'm sure I could find a good NA Miata for $5,000.

Yeah, but that wouldn't have a waranty, for the average person who doesn't/can't work on their own cars.

I prefer a used car, 'cause I can work on them. But I understand those that can't.

[Vinsanity]

Yeah, but that wouldn't have a waranty, for the average person who doesn't/can't work on their own cars.

I prefer a used car, 'cause I can work on them. But I understand those that can't.

The Nano comes with what, an 18-month, 15,000 mile warranty? Give me the car that I can drive on the freeway any day.

[280Z Turbo]

The difference is that the 2CV has personality, the designers obviously took some kind of pride in their work, they did not mind that they are working on basic transportation.  The Nano looks like the design team wanted to get the project behind them as fast as possible.

The 2CV's personality was that it was a piece of shit.

[Galaxy]

Perhaps that's because you are looking at the 2CV and the Beetle through a nostalgic lens. Even the blandest designs from the 60's that were considered bland (Falcon?) manage to look cool and retro today.

That may be true.

[Laconian]

blandest designs that were considered bland

[2o6]

Now THAT is a 2CV ripoff. It even has the mismatching roof color. HOly shit.

Homage. It's the Chrysler CCV concept, that used a neat idea (plastic for panels, and frame, strong and fully recyclable) and the design was also to pay homage to the Citroen 2CV.

[2o6]

The 2CV's personality was that it was a piece of shit.

But it wasn't.........

The Nano comes with what, an 18-month, 15,000 mile warranty? Give me the car that I can drive on the freeway any day.

The nano Europa has a top speed of 95MPH, 5MPH faster than the fortwo.

[Morris Minor]

I owned a 2CV in the 80s and it was by no means a piece of shit. It's main strength was its suspension - a perfect design for the cratered road surfaces in France. It also seated 4 people in comfort, used hardly any fuel and had an unburstable little air cooled engine.

[MX793]

The Nano comes with what, an 18-month, 15,000 mile warranty? Give me the car that I can drive on the freeway any day.

It would no doubt have a longer warranty if sold in the US.  Outside of the US, few companies offer warranties of more than 3 years, 2 seems to be the standard.  IIRC, BMW's warranties in Europe are 2 years (3 in the UK, with the caveat that the first 2 years are guaranteed with unlimited mileage, after that you're covered up to 1 year or when the car hits 60K miles, whichever comes first).  VW's standard manufacturer's warranty is only 2 years.

[S204STi]

The difference is that the 2CV has personality, the designers obviously took some kind of pride in their work, they did not mind that they are working on basic transportation.  The Nano looks like the design team wanted to get the project behind them as fast as possible.

lawl

[Byteme]

Or to Home Depot? All we really need is a Jaguar, right?

Works for me.