New $2500 mini-car from India...

[Uncle Cracker]

Recently unveiled is this thing, from the Land of the Sacred Cow...

It's called the "Tata Nano"... Doesn't that mean "microscopic boobs"? That's what a woman would need just to fit behind the wheel of this thing...

[os1kne]

I'd be really impressed if they can build a decent vehicle that inexpensively.

Appearance-wise, it looks like it has smaller wheels than my lawn tractor - almost the size of the rear wheels on my push mower.

[MilDoc]

2 cylinder 33 hp rear engine rear wheel drive, 51.7 mpg city, 61.1 mpg highway.

But acceleration of 0 - 43 mph in 14 seconds.

Wonder how many folks will ever get that 61.1 mpg highway?

Oh well. They all laughed at the first VW Bug and Honda, too.

[Uncle Cracker]

But acceleration of 0 - 43 mph in 14 seconds.

You would be caught (and probably eaten) by the neighborhood dogs...

[Hellrazor]

It needs small wheels or the gear ratio would be even worse. It would be 0-40 in 2 minutes if it had 16" wheels.

[OpaDC]

Are you required to buy two? One for each foot?

[Ed62]

That could be a hot item when the price of gasoline goes up again. I'm not so sure I'd want to take a trip of any distance in it though.

Ed

[crokett]

It is not meant for anything except tootling around town. I could see it being an in-town car for local driving or something.

[Pappy]

Brings up the same thought as the Smart Car. Ain't no way you gonna get this old man in a car that is shorter than my motorcycle!

[eezlock]

mini car from India

Wow!, with all that horsepower it should be fitted with a mowing deck
and sold as lawn tractor....or put on a rack for golf clubs and used as a golf cart!

[chopnhack]

wow, deathrap....at least on our roads. Over there that car would probably be the fastest moving and most likely to kill...dont forget how many barefoot ricshaw drivers are still over there!

[jonmulzer]

Wow!, with all that horsepower it should be fitted with a mowing deck
and sold as lawn tractor....or put on a rack for golf clubs and used as a golf cart!

I understand your sentiment, really I do. As a counterpoint though, if all the people that could realistically drive one, did so, how much less would our dependence on foreign oil be? How much more would the average person have left in their budget based upon fuel savings and car payments? Actually, what car payments? You should be able to pay cash pretty easily! My girlfriend has been considering a Smart Car recently for all but winter driving and I am all for it when the prices drop down from being above sticker because of demand way outpacing supply!

[Uncle Cracker]

As a counterpoint though, if all the people that could realistically drive one, did so, how much less would our dependence on foreign oil be?

OK... You first...

[LCHIEN]

I'd be really impressed if they can build a decent vehicle that inexpensively.

Appearance-wise, it looks like it has smaller wheels than my lawn tractor - almost the size of the rear wheels on my push mower.

who said it was decent. Probably makes the smart car look like a luxury vehicle.

Remember this is for sale in the India market. The worlds most crowded cities and a standard of living where a wage of $2000 a year makes you well to do.

Don't remember what the pollution standards this is designed to. Not much safety features I think - Both frightening thoughts altho the lack of safety is scary less since its not likely to spend much time going faster than 30 mph.

[os1kne]

I'm all for reducing our dependence on oil and I hope that's a great solution for a lot of people - but the more I see that pic, the more that I think of a popular child's toy: