The Tata Nano remains one of the most recognisable cars in India's automotive history. It put the Indian automobile sector on the global map in a completely new way, bringing new innovations when it comes to low-cost manufacturing. The Nano was ambitious in every way and while its fate may not have panned out as Tata Motors hoped for, there's no denying that the car got the spirit right. From a product standpoint, the Nano is quite the nimble city car with plenty of cabin space, compact proportions, the right amount of pulling power and an efficient engine. Just what you would need as your first car or a second car in the house. As an auto enthusiast, it's a matter of pride to have one in the garage. So, if you are looking to bring a used Nano home, here are five things you need to know about.
The 2014 Tata Nano Twist brought cosmetic updates to the Nano and the two-cylinder motor also developed slightly more power
1. The Tata Nano was launched in 2009 amidst much fanfare with prices starting at Rs. 1 lakh (ex-showroom). Pricing was always the key selling point for the Nano, while the hatchback was designed to maximise value for every penny. The cute looks and tallboy design, all worked in the car's favour, while the hatchback managed to free up a tonne of space on the inside.
2. The high-seating position provided a good view of the road while ensuring the Nano was not eclipsed by larger vehicles on the road. On the feature front, the Nano came equipped with fog lamps, an electronic trip meter, cupholders, a mobile charging point, air-conditioning, two-tone fabric seats, and more.
3. The original Tata Nano was powered by a 624 cc twin-cylinder rear-based engine that developed 34 bhp and 48 Nm of peak torque, while paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. While those numbers were low, the Nano was a light car as well, which made for a healthy power-to-weight ratio. However, the 2014 Nano Twist received a power bump from the same motor with the output now measuring 37 bhp and 51 Nm of peak torque. The Nano GenX that arrived in 2015 also come with an AMT gearbox option, making the hatchback the most affordable automatic car on sale in the country at the time.
4. Examples of used Tata Nano are available are as old as the original 2009 models, while the most recent examples date back to 2020. If you are planning to bring one home, we would suggest looking for examples after 2012. The initial units were swarmed with niggles that were rectified later. These decade-old models also command a low price starting from as low as Rs. 30,000 for a decently maintained one. This just might work for those looking to get a four-wheeler on a tight budget.
The Tata Nano GenX finally brought an openable boot with 110 litres of luggage space that made the hatchback more practical. It also arrived with an AMT unit
5. However, if you are looking for a more reliable or comfortable ownership experience, we'll suggest looking for the Nano Twist version that arrived in 2014. These units were better built, looked more premium and offered better value in comparison. But the most practical version of the Nano was the GenX which arrived with an openable boot with 110 litres of storage capacity, making it just the right city car for you. These versions though do get expensive in the vicinity of Rs. 2 lakh in the used car market but come with built-in Bluetooth, USB and AUX connectivity, digital informational display and more colours too. Moreover, the hatchback received enhanced safety with crumple zones, intrusion beams, an anti-roll bar and higher ground clearance.
