Introduction

Despite huge interest, the Nano did not really live up to expectations. Neither the buyer’s nor the maker’s. The buyer had probably expected more, while the maker had clearly expected it to sell more. But that was the story of the Tata Nano as it was. Now, there’s a new version. Cleverly branded Nano 2012, this car promises to be ready to meet the buyer’s expectations. Or is it?

Highlights:

- The Nano is available in 10 colours, eight of them new -- Pearl White, Rouge Red, Aqua Blue, Neon Rush, Serene White, Meteor Silver, Mojito Green, Papaya Orange, Sunshine Yellow, and Champagne Gold.

- Tata is offering booster-assisted brakes even on the entry-level model.

- The Nano is being offered with 4 years or 60,000kms warranty.

The drive

For starters, there is now an ORVM on the left. To please your sense of aesthetics there’s a set of new wheel caps too. But that’s pretty much it as far as exterior changes go. Unless you count the choice of ten colours of which eight are new.

The insides now feel slightly more upmarket with beige and black upholstery. Seats too are softer and the head rests are no longer integrated into the front seats.

However, the Nano’s 624cc 2-cylinder engine now produces 38bhp (3bhp more) and 51Nm (again 3Nm extra). Tata Motors also claims to have worked on the exhaust to remove that typical rickshaw-esque clatter of the old car. Gear ratios too have been made taller in the interest of efficiency. Kudos to Tata for providing booster assisted brakes even on the base model.

There’s been some tinkering with the suspension too as Tata has added an anti roll bar at the front to improve the tiny but tall car’s stability.

Verdict

The Nano 2012. With a left ORVM, better seats, better stability and more powerful engine, there’s no doubt the new Nano is a better buying proposition than the old one. Not to mention, it would now meet the average buyer’s expectations of a basic car.