Tata Motors that shook the automobile industry with it Rs. 1 lakh car 'Nano' has caught up with the crucial times that everyone is going through. The world is going through fuel crisis and when all this was not enough, our country's economy began to fall to an exceptionally low level. At such a time, Tata Motors is planning to come out with a car that can generate a mileage of 100 kmpl. The figure is definitely high but the company has a special technology to be incorporated within the upcoming model.
This concept was unveiled in the Geneva Motor Show and at that time, Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Group had given a duration of three years for this concept car. He had said that a lot of electric technology has to be developed apart from other technicalities to be taken care of. Tata Megapixel, as it is named, delivers up to 900 km (with a single tank of fuel) and fuel economy of 100 kmpl under battery power with just 22g/km of CO2 emission.
"The Tata Megapixel, developed by our design centres in India, the UK and Italy, is our idea of a city car for discerning motorists in any mega city of the world. It is a result of the progress we have made on the Tata Pixel, displayed last year, and also denotes the company's future design direction," said Prakash M Telang, Tata Motors Managing Director - India Operations at the unveiling of Megapixel.
Tata Pixel is expected to be based on Nano hatchback and would have a length of about three metres. It will be eco-friendly and will provide optimised space and manoeuvrability. The upcoming model will have a turning radius of just 2.6 metres, which will help it commuting even in the narrow areas. It is equipped with 'scissor' doors that rotate upwards from the front so that the passengers can enter/exit effortlessly. The car has been provided with high level of connectivity wherein functions can be controlled by the driver's smart phone using 'My Tata Connect' - the first integrated Human Machine Interface (HMI) concept developed by Tata Motors.
Another concept car that was unveiled by Tata Motors was a sedan, Tata Elegante at 77th Geneva Auto Show 2007. It would be larger than Tata Indigo and would work on a four-cylinder transverse petrol and diesel engine ranging from 1.4-litre to 2-litre with a compact V6 petrol power unit. It will have common rail direct injection turbo diesel engines with variable valve timing so as to come up to the norms of Euro V emissions. The power deliverance would range from 88 bhp to 197 bhp with a torque of around 280 Nm. It is most likely to have an option of either six-speed manual or an automatic transmission system. Key features of the car include cruise control, satellite navigation system, integrated Bluetooth compatibility, rain sensor and heated mirrors, amid others.
Tata Cliffrider, a Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV) concept was unveiled at the 76th Geneva Auto Show in 2006. It would be developed from the Tata 'Crossover' concept that was showcased in the previous year's auto show at Geneva. This going to be a package that would be blend of lifestyle and sporty performance. It would also be able to carry goods in the load tray which will have the facility to stay protected from unfavourable weather conditions through a sliding cover. It is expected to have Euro IV powertrain consisting of a V6 Petrol and next generation Common Rail diesel engine. Additional features like ABS, airbags, navigation control, traction control adorn this MUV, which would be available in 4x2 as well as 4x4 versions.
