Jalopnik
The race to the bottom continues as Bengal Enamel's Tara International will be teaming with Chinese company Aucma to produce a sub-sub-1-lakh car called the Tara Tiny. Yes, the little-known company seeks to lakh-block the Tata Nano by building a range of electric powered two- and four-seat cars starting at a rock bottom price of 99,000 Indian Rupees, 999 Rupees less than the price media outlets originally reported. With a grand total of 35 moving parts and a range of 100 km, the Tiny should be an urban drivers dream come true — low maintenance costs, eight hour recharge time via a 250 V outlet, and no need for costly speeding tickets (it only goes about 30 mph).
The best — or worst — part of this story is the Tara Tiny is being considered for export to the US. You know, cause we need even slower cars in the fast lane clogging up the works. Judging from these images of the car which makes the jokes come both small and easy, the Tiny will corner the market for families looking to haul their tired kids around (har har har). (Hat tip to Dhiram!) [NewLaunches]
Comments
That interior looks up-market compared to most Chrysler products.
It already looks broken-down and abandoned!
If Motorola can't put a battery into my brand new $200 RAZR phone that lasts more than 20 hours on standby (rated at 200 hours), then I have doubts about the quality control of electric cars in the 3rd world. Li-ion should be pronounced phonetically, because they're liion to me!
Sorry, that was more a rant about my phone than this car.
Oh come on, it has a steering wheel, brakes, doors and windows.. carburation... there must be more than 35 moving parts in this thing... who has a parts list...
@ash78: Interestingly enough, my wife's Moto Q will last 2 days on standby, and came with a free extended run battery that'll last 3. IIRC, it was $140 with the contract.
@DoctorNine: Don't most wheel bearings have at least 35 moving parts?
The residents of that apartment block went to incredible efforts to tart up their wheelie-bin.
@Turboner: Probably no ball bearings. Just two lubricated ceramic pieces rubbing together until failure. But what a smooth ride!
Will it fit in the back of the new El Camino by Pontiac?
Because if it does, I'll gladly load one on, drop the tailgate, and push it off the nearest cliff.
@DoctorNine: er... electric, not gas, no carb.
eight hour recharge time? last time i was in India, it was rare to go more than 4 or 5 without at least a brownout...
I Know its only a sub compact car, but I LAKH IT, LAKH IT, yes I do..
I have the feeling that after a few months of ownership, the number of moving parts increases significantly.
*rattle*
*squeak*
Great press shots!
Ben, the company is Bengal Enamel.
More good news from The Economic Times:
"...the company targets to unveil three other electric car labels which will be branded as Tara Titu, Tara Micro and Tara Mini"
I can see the streets of Hollywood being clogged with all the B list actors who can't afford a Prius rolling in their new Tiny green car. Just because you can't act, doesn't mean you don't care!
@SundaySunday: or they fall off completely.
fancy golf cart, only a front windshield, no side glass, no wheel bearings, no heater, no warranty, etc
Does it crush like a soda can?
I never thought I would ever see a motor vehicle that would make the interior of my Mother's old '86 Geo look upscale.
I now have to differentiate between Tata, Tara, and Tatra? I only care about one of them, and mostly only when they have more then two axles.
@Turboner: Tatas don't have wheel bearings, they have wheel bushings
It's nothing a 'busa couldn't fix.
@HoserDave: Dave? [westcoastfalcons.com]
This looks an awful lot like the small 4-wheeled (as opposed to their 3-wheeled range) cars sold by Shandong Jindalu, the makers of the ZAP Zebra.
Jindalu's cars are available with either electric or single-cylinder ICE power, so this car could be sort of old news with a new name. Is Aucma at all related to Jindalu? I think the latter is a 3-way tie up between larger industrial groups, but Aucma doesn't sound familiar.
@gp5548: That thing is just a golf cart... this is a fancy golf cart.
Looks like a 4 wheel Xebra.
This thing needs to be racing through Mexico, covered in dust and blood and quipping arcane film references nineteen to the dozen.
I give you the...
...Quentin TaraTiny
In Mexico that car seats 8...
@Stoatmaster: COTD!!!
@Stoatmaster: COTD - second motion!
@RoninianHoon: ....and that's just on the inside!
Looks like you have the puns on lakh-down.
Hey - it has full size spare!
COuld they have made the interior look any more cobbled together? Does anything match? And those seats--don't they look comfy! Especially on a hot day! Can you smell the recycled Union Carbide chemicals leaching out?
@beercheck
Broken down and abandoned translates to rugged and offroad capable in marketing speak. Look at the integrated roof rails...this baby was born to explore.
(squirt boats only, no sea kayaks on top)
Jeebus, it's got a woodgrain center cluster trim surround, this is pretty upscale bling at this price point.
@Novaload:
For $2450, I don't think anyone in India will care if the interior looks cobbled.
i'd rather have a Tara Reid
sitting on my face haah hah ha
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