With a lot of fanfare and earnest hope Tata was testing the diesel version of Nano which was publicized to become the most affordable and fuel efficient car in the country.
We have a lot of our readers and friends who were waiting for the car with immense interest. We had conclusive spyshots of Nano diesel test mules and at one instance, we revealed the fact that Tata was testing the actual on-road fuel efficiency of the car.
However, an earlier report about Tata axing the Nano Diesel project did give us a shocker of sorts. And another report now on Economic Times along with no recent spotting of Nano diesel test mules almost confirms the demise of Nano diesel before it is born!
The prime-most reason given is the shrinking gap between diesel and petrol fuel and the changing preference of consumers towards the petrol-powered cars. Add to this, we believe, Tata was never confident of the diesel engine on Nano for a passenger car.
There were consistent reports, some from Tata’s officials, that Nano will be launched in some stipulated time lines. In fact Ratan Tata, himself, hinted at the launch time frame of Nano diesel at least once. However, no launch ever took place and standing today, after almost 3-4 years of the car first making headlines, we hear that it has been axed!
With the diesel off the radar, Tata is concentrating on the existing petrol version and is trying to make it a more usable smart city car. They have refined the overall quality of Nano, both interiors and exteriors. Nano Twist brought with itself the much needed power-steering.
They have Nano Twist Active in the making with an openable rear hatch and larger fuel tank as well as the Nano F-Tronic which will come with an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) and will become the cheapest automatic gear shift car in the country.
Adding to these two confirmed upcoming models, we also have speculations of a bigger, more powerful Tata Nano with an 800cc petrol engine.
Related: List & Details of all 4 Upcoming Cars from Tata in 2014
