Indian automaker Tata is preparing to launch the world's cheapest car, the rear-engined, four-seater Nano in Europe. In Geneva, Tata took the wraps off the European-spec version of the minicar which will go on sale in India this April, priced from around $2,000 or €1,600. Due to arrive in 2010, the Euro model is called "Nano Europa" and has been modified to comply with the European crash regulations and emission norms as well as the needs of Western consumers. This means that its basic price will be significantly higher than that of the India-market model.
The restyled Nano Europa features a new front-end and has a slightly longer wheelbase of 2,280mm. Whereas the Indian Nano model is powered by a two-cylinder engine, the Nano Europa gets a 3-cylinder all-aluminum MPFI engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission and electric power steering. According to the company's chairman Ratan Tata, the gasoline engine will provide CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km.
Other than that, the Nano Europa's fit and finish has been enhanced over the India-market Nano and now features ABS, ESP and air bags.
