Date:24/03/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/03/24/stories/2009032452880100.htm
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The people’s car rolls out

Ramnath Subbu

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

BREAKING BARRIERS: Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata with Tata Motors MD Ravi Kant, at the launch of Tata Nano in Mumbai on Monday.

MUMBAI: The Tata Nano has finally arrived. Unveiled first in January 2008, the people’s car was launched commercially here on Monday amid great fanfare and expectations.

The rear engine car will be available in three variants. The basic model would be available for Rs. 1.13 lakh (ex-factory).

The base model — Standard — will be available in three colours, the CX model in five colours with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) along with two-tone seats and the top-end LX model with central locking, front power windows in three premium shades.

The Nano is Bharat Stage–III compliant and BS–IV ready and comes with a 2-cylinder multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) 624cc petrol engine.

The car has a top speed of 105 km an hour and a fuel efficiency of 23.6 km a litre in the test arena.

The cars will be on display across the country at Tata Motors passenger car dealerships and select authorised outlets from April 1.

Addressing the media here, Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors said, “The Nano represents the spirit of breaking conventional barriers. I hope it will provide safe, affordable, four-wheel transportation to families who till now have not been able to own a car,” he said.

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