Summary

Tata Motors is India's largest and leading automobile company, with US $ 7.2 billion revenues in 2006-2007. With over 4 million Tata vehicles pursuing in India, it is the premier in commercial vehicles and the second largest in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fifth largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer and the second largest heavy bus manufacturer.

Mr. Tata's 'dream project', the Rs one-lakh car has generated immense interest in the Indian auto market, where Tata's current lowest-priced car is Indica with a tag of Rs 3.3 lakh. The one lakh rupee car is going to be a real car with the basic features. The car is in every way a car, with an engine, a suspension, and a steering system designed for its size. The most watched car in the Indian car space - the Rs 1-lakh offering from the Tata Motors stables - is going to be launched in september in 3 variants.

When launched, the car will be available in both standard and deluxe versions. Both versions will offer a wide range of body colours, and other accessories so that the car can be customised to an individual’s preferences. It is aimed to rank between high end motor cycles and the compact car segment. Instead of researching on low cost components by themselves, Tata has delegated the task to various vendors. The fuel-injection system is being developed by MICO while Brakes India and Bosch Chassis Systems will be supplying low cost braking system. Around 55 prototypes have been tested on Indian roads under varied conditions. It has been reported that the final model will make its debut in September 2008.

Design

The People’s Car, designed with a family in mind, has a roomy passenger compartment with generous leg space and head room. It can comfortably seat four persons. Four doors with high seating position make ingress and egress easy. Yet with a length of 3.1 metres, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres, with adequate ground clearance, it can effortlessly manoeuvre on busy roads in cities as well as in rural areas. Its mono-volume design, with wheels at the corners and the powertrain at the rear, enables it to uniquely combine both space and manoeuvrability, which will set a new benchmark among small cars.

Engine

Unlike other low cost Indian cars, this one is going to have a variomatic gear system. Instead of manual gear box in conventional cars it is coming up as gear less or rather with an automatic gear transmission. This helps to improve the efficiency & mileage by magnifying the torque output. As in international markets, the compact car from Tata will have back mounted engine, pushing the luggage space to the front. Making the engine closer to the fuel tank has another advantage of increased fuel efficiency. Rear mounted engine also help in reducing the power loss during transmission. The car will have front disk and rear drum brakes. The company claims mileage of 22 kmpl in city and 26 kmpl on highway.

Fuel Efficiency

The People’s Car has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine. This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft. The lean design strategy has helped minimise weight, which helps maximise performance per unit of energy consumed and delivers high fuel efficiency. Performance is controlled by a specially designed electronic engine management system.

Safety & Comfort

By adhering to the fact that less weight requires less power, the 1 lakh car is made of light weighing steel. This has made the Tatas come up with a cheap alternative with out compromising on safety and performance. The base model will feature glass windows that can be cranked up. The tail lights are expected to appear like as in Tata Indica. Higher versions will have the comforts of power steering, power windows, air-conditioning and much more. With an all sheet-metal body, it has a strong passenger compartment, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat belts, strong seats and anchorages, and the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body. Tubeless tyres further enhance safety.

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