Tata Motors has commenced the testing of the diesel-powered Nano and the company is expected to launch the vehicle in early 2013. Details on the diesel-powered Nano’e engine remains a mystery but thanks to our friends at IndianCarsBikes.in, we are able to tell you a few details about what would be the world’s cheapest diesel car. The Tata Nano diesel will use a Honeywell turbocharger, which would be extremely compact. Honeywell’s website states that the Nano diesel will have 0.8-litre (800cc) cubic capacity. Earlier there have been reports of the diesel Nano featuring an engine as small as 600cc, to an engine as big as 1000cc.
Thus the Tata Nano diesel will be powered by a 800cc, twin-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel engine which would produce around 35 BHP of power and 70 Nm of torque. This engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and will return a fuel economy of almost 40 km/l. Other than the changes to the engine, the diesel Nano will also sport an upgraded suspension and bearings. The rear door will now be hydraulically operated, giving the Nano some usuable boost space above the engine. The front and rear bumpers have been re-designed as well, which seems to have been done for better cooling of the diesel motor.
Tata Motors has not been able to sell as many petrol Nanos as it had expect. The plant is currently running at less than 50% capacity and the company is looking at boosting volumes by launching new variants. The next version of the Nano to be launched will be the CNG variant by the end of the year. The diesel Nano will certainly bring-in the volumes for Tata Motors but is facing a delay as vendors haven’t show their complete support for components of the diesel Nano. Expect the diesel Nano to be priced atleast Rs. 40,000/- more than its petrol counterpart, when it goes on sales early next year.
Source – IndianCarsBikes.in