Jalopnik: Nano

Tata Nano To Offer Compressed Air Engine Optional, Make Electric Cars Look Silly

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EDT

Buried in a New York Times article on "Low-Carbon Chic" (vomit) comes confirmation the Tata Nano, the $2500 (or maybe a bit more) mini-car will offer a MDI compressed air engine as an option. Tata has been backing MDI for a while now, and off-the-cuff we mused at the idea of the compressed air engine option in a Nano months ago. Given the novelty of the engine, it was more a dismissal than speculation. Well, we guess it turns out we were right. Remember after the Tata Nano was unveiled, how all the enviro-dweebs whined incessantly about how the huge swath of new little cars on India's streets would contribute bajillions of tons of carbon dioxide to the environment? Well, maybe they'll be eating some crow because $3 worth of electricity will probably fill a tank for a 125 mile trip.

This news comes as something of a game changer for the Nano. Before the car offered bare bones transportation at a cheap price. Certainly a strong selling point, but with skyrocketing fuel prices, the gas has become as much a barrier to market entry as the price of the car. With the incredibly cheap fueling cost on compressed air the car becomes even more accessible to an even wider audience.

Forget all that for a moment though. This kind of makes us wonder what the point is of billions of dollars being invested in lithium-ion batteries, hybridization, low rolling resistance tires, aerodynamics, hydrogen fuel cells and all that other malarkey. The issue with all of the highly touted alternative fuels is capacity or distribution. Hydrogen fuel is expensive to make, has no distribution network and it would be expensive to implement one. Electricity generally comes from coal-fired power plants at the moment (in the US), charging stations don't exactly litter the landscape, and even it they did, it takes forever to charge the batteries.

However, the air compressor engine can rely on almost any power source. All it has to do is be converted by way of air compressor. You could use a gasoline compressor, windmill, a water wheel, electric compressor, hell, you could pedal your way to a full tank if you rigged up a proper system. And cheap. Air compressors have been around for a couple hundred years now. We kind of have them figured out. And they work fast, a fill up would probably take as long as it does now. Huh, remind us again why we're supposed to be excited about alternative fuels? [NYTimes]

Blue Steel: $2500 Tata Nano May Become Slightly More Pricey

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Ratan Tata wowed the world when he revealed his company's Tata Nano, the miniscule two-cylinder, four-door runabout designed to go to market with an equally tiny $2,500 price tag. Now, due to pressures from rising commodity prices, Tata may be in jeopardy of missing that now famous 1-lakh goal. Steel prices have jumped 30% since the car's initial unveil in January, while the cost of plastics, silicon and fuel oil have risen as well. So what's next for the bottom line?

It's not only a problem for Tata; across the board, material prices are gutting once-profitable programs. Imagine drawing up designs three years ago and projecting material parts budgets (which can often be up to 70% of the part price), only to have the most expensive element of the part jump in price by 40%. That's the kind of thing which blows engineering budgets. Tata is working with its suppliers and partners to determine what the pricing adjustments will look like (when an automaker says that, they mean lower price for them to buy supplies from suppliers, which also means less profit for the supplier), but it's clear they are trying to remain as close as possible to that original $2,500 target.

Jalopnik Snap Judgement: We'll still take three, with the racing stripes, as long as matte-black paint and rear-window shotgun holders are available options. [Automotive News Submission Req.]

Tata Looking At Buying Hummer, Jokes Write Themselves

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:20:00 EDT

Okay, sooner or later Tata is going to have to stop making headlines, 'cause we're really, really trying to cut back on the innuendo. But today we get news that Tata is considering purchasing the brand GM may be trying to shed, Hummer. And even with our newfound restraint, we have to admit we had a mild aneurysm at the innuendo potential. Nobody from either the GM or Tata side is willing to make a comment on the possible sale, but word is that GM is shopping the brand around to the Indian mega-conglomerate. This makes us wonder, how does Tata greenwash itself when it builds a tiiiiiiny car, and a giant, gas-guzzling SUV? Well, we're sure they'll figure it out — Hummer tatas! [India Times]

First Video Of Tata Nano Actually Driving, The $2,500 Money Shot

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EDT

Ever since the Tata Nano set the world ablaze with the promise of the $2,500 car, we've been anxious to see one actually driving around. Alas, courtesy of a couple of dudes with a camera we now have the video of the half-pint people mover actually moving people. And unlike those fancy American cars, there's no need for serious camo on the Tata Nano when testing, as that would drive the price of the car up to $2,501. Check out the jumpy, blotchy video above. [YouTube via TopSpeed]

Renault-Nissan And Bajaj Team Up On Tata-Upstaging $2,500 Car

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:40:00 EDT

Ratan Tata and his eponymous company sent the automotive world buzzing with news of their $2,500 car, the lilliputian Nano. At the time, we reported that Bajaj Auto, which is partnered with Renault-Nissan, was going to announce a $3,000 car. Turns out the companies have found a way to cut $500 off the price to create a $2,500 competitor. To make this car the three companies are creating a new company with ownership split between Renault (25%), Nissan (25%) and Bajaj Auto (50%). No name on the car other than the codename "ULC" which we can only guess stands for "Uncomfortable, Little and Cheap." The car is to be sold in India in early 2011 as the primary market. Press release below the jump.

Bajaj Auto and the Renault-Nissan Alliance to build the car code- named ULC with wholesale price range starting from 2500 USD
PARIS/PUNE/TOKYO (May 12, 2008) - Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj and Mr.
Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Renault and President and CEO of Nissan, today
announced they will form a joint-venture company to develop, produce and market the car
code-named ULC with a wholesale price range starting from 2500 USD . The new joint-venture
company will be 50% owned by Bajaj Auto, 25% by Renault and 25% by Nissan.

Targeting the growing Indian new vehicle market, this ULC will be made at an all-new plant to be
constructed in Chakan (Maharashtra state) in India. Initial planned capacity will be 400,000 units
per year. Sales will start in early 2011 in India, as a primary market, with growth potential in other
emerging markets around the world.

The feasibility has already extended into Joint Product Development and the project is on line to
meet targeted performance & cost.

[Source: Renault]

Volga Display Of Prana: Russian Automaker GAZ Seeks Partners In India

John Krewson — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Apparently this has been out there for a while, but before we discussed the news that Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod, manufacturers of the Volga line of hulking vehicular tragicomic props, was looking for partners on the Indian subcontinent, we needed to find press releases with the right sort of Moose-Und-Sqvirrel feel.

The actual hard news, of course, is that GAZ is most likely trying for a piece of the commercial vehicle market in auto-ascendant India, where Tata recently made headlines by unveiling the $2500 Nano and buying a couple venerable British marques off Ford. Unfortunately, it's unclear exactly which Indian firm would partner with Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod, as while their name may be fun to say, they'd be up against current native truckmaker Mahindra, among others. What we can tell you as an absolute press-release certainty, though, is that

"success of cars launched by all global players in India is driving force behind Russia to think over entering Indian auto market."

Or, as one GAZ senior official evidently said,

"As auto is one of the key areas of the India-Russia Forum on Trade and Investment we are looking at business partnership in future."

Industry implications aside, it's lots of fun to imagine Russian heavy vehicles operating in the nation with the world's largest population of stray cows. Probably even more fun than coming up with silly "In Soviet Russia..." jokes.

Who Should Tata Buy Next?

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:30:00 EDT

As we learned yesterday, every automaker owns every other automaker and it's just a matter of who gets the biggest piece of the pie. And now that the Tata-Land Rover-Jag-Ford deal is all-but complete, we can officially anoint Ratan Tata as the hungriest hippo in the automotive world. We'd also point out that the main Tata hinted at getting a stake in Ferrari next. With the impending Nano and a gigantic market, can he be stopped?

Eventually, but not for a while. In the meantime, he seems to be positioned to take advantage of the fact that certain other automakers aren't prospering and have extra brands for sale. Let's pretend your Tata's main business advisor and he's got an appetite for car companies. Who's next?
[Photo: AP]

Tara Tiny Is The New Tata Nano, Priced At $2,450

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:20:00 EDT

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]

BMW Plans To Challenge $2,500 Car In India With $49,000 Mini

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:45:00 EDT

When Indian carmaker Tata made international headlines with their $2,500 Tata Nano other automakers took notice. One of those automakers is BMW, which already has a growing sales operation in India. Wanting to get a slice of the small car market, the company is considering bringing over the Mini. The projected cost? No less than Rs.2 million, or $49,444. This would make it the most expensive small car in the country at a cost equivalent to 20 Nanos.

The company currently sells nearly a full line of BMW vehicles, including M products. Last year the company sold 1,387 units, including about 743 3-series. A feasibility report has been submitted and it'll be up to the company's management to decide whether or not the Mini will actually reach India. If it does we hope they remember to delete the Union Jack roof option. [Economic Times India]

Tata Nano Makes The World Go 'Round

Mark Arnold — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST

"Technology, the new life-force." That's what Tata Motors says. We had no idea. We kinda miss the old life-force — you know — life? Whatever. One thing this video played this morning at the Nano reveal can give you, is a feel for just how important the automaker from India sees themselves. But who can blame them, what with all the magazine cover stories and the comparisons of the Tata Nano to the Ford Model T. Of course, the Model T was a replacement for horses, while the Nano is a replacement for ~~the iPod Mini~~ ~~toy cars~~ scooters. We're not sure if we'd actually want to own one, but from a product standpoint, it's hard not to admire the little $2500 wonder.

Tata Nano, Not for Europe; Just Saying Hi To Geneva

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST

Ratan Tata, the Henry Ford of Mumbai, just revealed his dreamwork here, the Tata Nano, to a European audience here at the Geneva Auto Show that may never get to drive one. The micromini — which, in person, appears to be two scooters sheathed inside an extra-large Maytag dryer — is for now just for emerging markets where safety regulations are far less stringent. The price is 100,000 rupees, which is a mere $2,500. That's cheaper than some scooters, and you only get one! Nonetheless, Tata says he's repaying Geneva for its hospitality 11 years ago when he was a paltry millionaire and his car company was just a fledgling. Now there are four million Tatas on the road, and soon to be many millions more of this microbox.

Nano Tech Wiperless Windshields Are The Future And We're Scared

Travis Hudson — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:45:00 EST

Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina fame has dreamed up a new type of windshield that implements some damn hi-tech solutions to the problem of rain automotive glass. Fioravanti must not be familiar with the adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," because he definitely has tried to do away with windshield wipers. This rad new design, perhaps dreamed up while high, use aerodynamics and four fancy layers to keep rain, dirt and other elements from obstructing your view.

The concept car acting as guinea pig for this windshield is called Hidra. The first layer of the windshield is a layer that filters the sun and simply repels water. Think of it as a giant Teflon pan. The second layer uses "nano dust"—whatever the hell that is—to magically get rid of windshield dust. It detects the dust with a third layer and employs a fourth, conductive layer to power the entire windshield.

Fioravanti says this technology could be ready within five years. I call BS, but I also would prefer to keep my old-fashioned rubber wipers, because i don't want no damn nano-robots living in my windshield, getting smarter and smarter, plotting my demise. [Sparkingtech]

BBC Discovers Air Car, We Chuckle At Fill Up Procedure

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:30:00 EST

We heard about the Tata backed and French developed Air Car back in January and are intrigued by the brilliantly simple concept. It seems the Beeb has caught wind of it too and recently ran the coverage you see above. The numbers on it are pretty exciting for something running like an air compressor with its valves reversed. A top speed of 110 km/h and a range of 200 km makes it seem almost useful. Predictions on production dates are to be taken with a grain of salt, but claims of the end of the year are bandied about. Wonder if it will be an available option on the Tata Nano?

In Russia, VAZ Make Cheap Car For YOU!

Mark Arnold — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:45:00 EST

With all that land mass and all those people, Russia is expected to be the largest car market in Europe within a few years. And what do the proud people of Russia want? Cheap, honest transportation; a "people's car." Well that's exactly what Russia automaker AvtoVAZ wants to give them. Since most of these consumers are not going to be shopping for the likes of an Audi R8 or a custom SUV, AvtoVAZ (known to us as the maker of Ladas) wants to bring a car to market with a price tag of about $6000. According to AvtoVAZ head Boris Aleshin,

"We need to produce a new very cheap car model costing around $US six- seven thousand but not more than $US 7.3 thousand, and probably there will be several budget models,"

While this seems downright expensive compared to the ~~named by Apple~~ built in India Tata Nano, it should be cheap enough to attract consumers who would otherwise buy a used car and/or non-Russian marque.

[via Russia Today]

Tata Xenon Is Rugged, Diesel Equipped

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:15:00 EST

Tata recently came out with its latest light truck offering for the South African Market, the Xenon. Compact pickups in South Africa are called bakkies, a term we think is the bees knees, and this one is Tata's second bakkie for that market. The Xenon rides on a double wishbone front suspension with a solid axle and leaf spring setup in the back. Shift-on-the-fly all wheel wheel drive can be accomplished up to 65 kph by way of a knob on the dash - four wheel low has to be engaged at a stand still. The truck has only one power option, a 3 liter four cylinder turbo diesel with direct injection good for 114 hp and 220 lb.ft. of torque routed through a 5 speed manual. All that is well and good, but the tubular bumpers and roll over bars are the real winners here. When and why did that go out of style?

Tata Partners with Chrysler for Electric Truck, U.S. Nano on the Horizon?

Travis Hudson — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST

That $2,500 Tata Nano jobber has been all over the news as of late. There was no word if this marvel of engineering would ever make it to the good old United States. Rest assured, Tata is one step closer to getting something over here, following a recent announcement of a partnership with Chrysler.

Okay, I'll slow down a bit. The Reuters report says that the Chrysler and Tata partnership will be for an electric Ace, Tata's truck (think Tonka), and not the Nano. But I can't help but speculate what might happen if the $2,500 wondercar would ever get to America. Big money, big money, big money, no whammy, no whammy, STOP! [Reuters]

Nigerian Request for Tata Nanos

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST

For some strange reason, Belema West, apparent President of the GrassRoots Peace Ambassadors Forum, sent us a request for 300 of the budget-friendly Tata Nano mini-cars revealed mere weeks ago. You read that right, 300. That's $750,000 worth of Tatas. The substantial fleet of small cars would be used to shuttle Nigerian civil servants around the Niger Delta region doing whatever it is that peace ambassadors in that dangerous area do these days. Unfortunately, because of production restrictions, we will require some funding to start the process. A total of $75,000, or only 10 percent, will be needed to help transfer material to the production line. If this is done, we will provide a substantial discount and expedite the order. A copy of the email has been provided below as record.

From: Belema West Date: Jan 23, 2008 10:17 PM Subject: Biz package (300 of ur cars for senior civil servent in the NigerDelta area in Nigeria. To: tips@jalopnik.com
good day sir,
my names are belema west sorry to distourb you. sir, for
a start, 300 of ur cars (tatanano)for senior civil servent in the
NigerDelta area in Nigeria.i want to be the mediator betwin ur company
and government.in de NigerDelta area, if ur company is interested u
have to come down to nigeria lets meet face2face and talk
biz.................. e26nbsp;

thanks

Belema West.
President:GrassRoot Peace Ambassadors Forum

Fast Lane Daily Talks Nano, GT-R, Viper and M6 Race Car

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:15:00 EST

In today's Fast lane Daily, Derek D recaps the unveil of the Tata Nano, Nissan's new GT-R GT500, and dishes some gossip about Cerberus possibly forcing the demise of the Dodge Viper. Then we switch over to some nice video footage from Garage419.com showing off the baddest M6 we've ever seen. A full tube frame, all carbon fiber body, and a Daytona series E39 M5 engine combine to form ~~Voltron~~ a really kick ass track star. We apologize for the woeful lack of cowbell.

Build Your Own Tata Nano

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST

As Jalopnik's Tata Nano day draws to a close, it's worth noting the lag on the Nano mini-site has dropped and you can go right to the corporate site to check out the content there. Even though the site is as lean and mean as the car it's promoting, it has a fair amount of interesting content (US, German, Japanese Automakers take note). The site has everything; a ~~pimp~~ build your own Nano feature, a blog, notes about the development, wallpapers, forums... heck, it's very possible that Tata understands the whims of the web far better than the global automakers do. We've taken the liberty of prepimping some Nano's for you, and the snazzy wallpapers are down in the gallery. [Tatapeoplescar.com]

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST

If the 2008 Tata Nano is as dramatic as its unveil would have you believe, it will soon be learning how to use tools and build space stations. We covered the unveiling of the Tata Nano earlier, but this shaky video is the first we've seen of the little car that could as it bowed at the 2008 Delhi Auto Show. We're loving the soundtrack if you couldn't tell. Such grandeur, so much power and yet, so delicate. After that it's Mr. Ratan Tata himself doing some talking and then the audio breaks up a bit. An appropriately epic start to an epic shift in the industry.

The $3,000 Car From Bajaj Is $500 Classier Than the $2,500 Tata Nano

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:30:00 EST

It should be obvious to most that a $2,500 car is destined to fail. But a $3,000 car... GENIUS! Not wanting to be upstaged (though, upstaged anyways), Bajaj has launched a prototype of what it calls the $3,000 people's car for the people that can afford another 0.25 lakh. The car is being designed through a partnership with Renault/Nissan and we'll therefore see a cheap version of this car from those automakers.

The only drawback is that this particular prototype might need another two years of development before it hits the street while its rival the Tata Nano will be clogging the streets of Delhi before the end of the year. [AutoInCar]

The $2500 Tata Nano, Unveiled in India

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:41:15 EST

After months of rumors and tantalizing leaks — and as we first told you earlier this week — Indian automaker Tata Motors has finally unveiled the Tata Nano — its already legendary $2,500 (1-lakh)car. As expected, the car that Tata claims will change the face of not only the Indian car market, but the global auto industry will be a four door, five seat hatch, powered by a 30 HP Bosch 624 cc four stroke engine mounted out back and mated to a CVT. That makes the Nano the first time a 2-cylinder gasoline engine will be used in a car with a single balancer shaft. The Nano's also expected to get 54 US miles per gallon. Yes, but will it blend? Full press release after the jump with all the details. By the way — are we the only ones happy to see a Tata Nano sporting what looks like a bra above? Also — how long do we think it'll take before Apple files a lawsuit over the name? Update: We've got video of the unveil posted HERE

Tata Motors unveils the People's Car
A comfortable, safe, all-weather car, high on fuel efficiency & low on emissions

Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group and Tata Motors, today unveiled the Tata 'NANO', the People's Car from Tata Motors that India and the world have been looking forward to. A development, which signifies a first for the global automobile industry, the People's Car brings the comfort and safety of a car within the reach of thousands of families. The People's Car will be launched in India later in 2008.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi, Mr. Ratan N. Tata said, "I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family. Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal. Today, we indeed have a People's Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions. We are happy to present the People's Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility."

Stylish, comfortable
The People's Car, designed with a family in mind, has a roomy passenger compartment with generous leg space and head room. It can comfortably seat four persons. Four doors with high seating position make ingress and egress easy.

Yet with a length of 3.1 metres, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres, with adequate ground clearance, it can effortlessly manoeuvre on busy roads in cities as well as in rural areas. Its mono-volume design, with wheels at the corners and the powertrain at the rear, enables it to uniquely combine both space and manoeuvrability, which will set a new benchmark among small cars.

When launched, the car will be available in both standard and deluxe versions. Both versions will offer a wide range of body colours, and other accessories so that the car can be customised to an individual's preferences.

Fuel-efficient engine
The People's Car has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine. This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft. The lean design strategy has helped minimise weight, which helps maximise performance per unit of energy consumed and delivers high fuel efficiency. Performance is controlled by a specially designed electronic engine management system.

Meets all safety requirements
The People's Car's safety performance exceeds current regulatory requirements. With an all sheet-metal body, it has a strong passenger compartment, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat belts, strong seats and anchorages, and the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body. Tubeless tyres further enhance safety.

Environment-friendly
The People's Car's tailpipe emission performance exceeds regulatory requirements. In terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers being manufactured in India today. The high fuel efficiency also ensures that the car has low carbon dioxide emissions, thereby providing the twin benefits of an affordable transportation solution with a low carbon footprint.
(For more information: www.tatapeoplescar.com )

About Tata Motors
Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with revenues of US $ 7.2 billion in 2006-2007. With over 4 million Tata vehicles plying in India, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and the second largest in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fifth largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer and the second largest heavy bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America. Tata Motors and Fiat Auto have formed an industrial joint venture in India to manufacture passenger cars, engines and transmissions for the Indian and overseas markets; Tata Motors also has an agreement with Fiat Auto to build a pick-up vehicle at Córdoba, Argentina. The company already distributes Fiat branded cars in India. Tata Motors' international footprint includes Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co. Ltd. in South Korea; Hispano Carrocera, a bus and coach manufacturer of Spain in which the company has a 21% stake; a joint venture with Marcopolo, the Brazil-based body-builder of buses and coaches; and a joint venture with Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Company of Thailand to manufacture and market pick-up vehicles in Thailand. Tata Motors has research centres in India, the U.K., and in its subsidiary and associate companies in South Korea and Spain.

(For free broadcast-standard and streaming quality video content about Tata Motors, please log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/tatamotors. You can preview and request broadcast-standard video which will be delivered digitally or by tape. Registration and video is free to the media.)

- Ends -

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Nano Nano: Scientists Build Molecular 'Car'

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 11:30:54 EDT

We once thought that if Mel Brooks ever made a parody of "Fantastic Voyage" in the 1970s, the team of doctors and scientists (and rarow, Raquel) would have traveled through that guy's blood stream in a Renault LeCar. (There would, of course, have been the obvious "actual size" joke to go with it.) Now, scientists at Rice University have constructed a molecular-level "vehicle," only 3-4 nanometers across (slightly smaller than a stock LeCar), using organic material. The car has a defined chassis, freely rotating axles, pivoting suspension wheels made of buckyballs, consisting of 60 atoms of carbon. What to use it for? Cramming nano-sized college students into, of course.

Nanocar [BoingBoing]

Related:
Nano! Nanoo! Ford Invests in Nanotechnology [internal]