The test took place at England's MIRA vehicle research center under the supervision of that country's Vehicle Certification Authority. While more testing must presumably be carried out in order to make European sales legal , Tata itself plans to subject the vehicle to the tough Euro NCAP tests. This is a clear indication the company's plans to enter Europe are grounded in reality.

The MIRA tests were conducted at 35mph, a speed much higher than that required by Indian authorities. Tata is hard at work developing an up-spec'd version of the Nano suitable for snooty Western pallets. Even with beefed up impact protection and more interior amenities, it's thought that the Nano will still undercut every other car in the European market.

Ratan Tata, the charismatic founder of the company, has said he wants to sell the Nano in the US. While that still appears to be a long way from becoming reality these successful tests lend that dream an air of possibility. [via Autocar]

Autocar India has snagged the first drive and despite several backhanded compliments, the verdict is quite positive — for the price. The reviewers seem amazed the car is able to drive down the road and not feel like it's going to roll over at any moment. Sort of like Sarah Palin in Vice Presidential debates, if you set the bar so low you're only expecting to see a human being able to put a three-word sentence together, you can't not clear it. Thus, the reviews are filled with notes galore on the tiny wheels, flat seats, and comparisons to the Model T.

We're working to get Tata to agree to ship us one for a battery of tests including, but not limited to LeMons pit car duty, a RallyAmerica stage or three, clocking quarter mile times at Milan Dragway and reenacting our favorite Bollywood chase sequences. [AutoCar India, Youtube]

The on-road price will be a little bit higher, probably around $2,400, once you factor in excise duty, education fees and road tax, along with transportation cost, local taxes, insurance and registration fees and "a lifetime parking fee" (applicable in some locations).

The five seat basic model will be powered by a 624cc gasoline engine and does away with superfluous items like airbags but can be be optioned up, it will also launch in Europe with a slightly larger, more luxurious model in 2011. The car is launching into one of the strangest sales markets ever faced, with pent up demand for the car at a fevered pitch in India, but an overall depressed auto industry. Tata is not expected to be able to meet demand for the "1 lakh car" after being forced to used an alternate production site when its West Bengal factory faced violent protests from rural farmers.

Tata is not expected to start making a profit on the car for at least three years, depending on sales rates, but they have certainly redefined the meaning of basic transportation. Further innovation is still a possibility, with a diesel engine in the works and a hugely interesting compressed air engine licensed from MDI. We're doing our best to get one to fit a couple big pulse-jet engines. [BBC]

We don't expect the Tata to go on sale anytime soon in Europe, especially given the EuroCAP safety standards, but we appreciate the idea of a Tata Nano for a "future launch in such markets" as Ratan noted. So what does an upscale Nano look like? It looks similar to the regular Nano but gets an extra cylinder (up to 3!), redesigned interior, a host of safety equipment and an "all sheet metal" body. Seriously, it says this in the press release. New Nanos are apparently just as nice as early model Saturns.

Press Release

Tata Motors today presented at the 79th Geneva Motor Show the Tata Nano Europa, intended for a future launch in select international markets. The company has also displayed the Tata Prima, a concept luxury sedan, and the Tata Indica Vista EV, an electric vehicle based on the award-winning new generation Tata Indica Vista.

Speaking on the occasion at the Geneva Motor Show, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, said, "In India, the Nano will be launched on March 23, and the cars will be on display at company dealerships from the first week of April. The Nano has also generated wide interest in developed countries, since it's unveiling in Delhi and its presentation here last year. We are delighted to present the Nano Europa for future launch in such markets. The Indica Vista EV represents the work of Tata Motors on alternate technologies, while the Prima is an iteration of a luxury sedan we will introduce. They together signify the ongoing evolution in our cars."

Tata Nano Europa
With a length of 3.29 metres and width of 1.58 metres, the Tata Nano Europa continues to be stylishly petite but surprises with its spacious interior and generous leg space. The slightly longer wheelbase of 2.28 metres combines excellent space and manoeuvrability, further improving on the benchmark standard set by the Tata Nano. The enhanced spaciousness is complemented by redesigned interiors, marked by smooth curves and a high tech yet gentle feel.

To meet the driving needs of its target customers, the Tata Nano Europa will be powered by a 3-cylinder sporty all-aluminium MPFI engine matched with a 5-speed automatic transmission, and electric power steering. The gasoline engine will be class-leading, providing high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emission of less than 100 gm / km meeting the twin goals of being environmentally friendly and stylish – just like the Tata Nano.

The Tata Nano Europa meets all safety regulations. In addition to the all sheet-metal body, its energy absorbing design, use of advanced restraint systems, ABS, ESP and Air Bags will enhance passenger safety.

Just like the Tata Nano, the Tata Nano Europa incorporates exterior compactness with interior comfort and seeks to provide motorists the pleasure and utility of personal mobility combined with affordability and environment-friendliness, in a world where smaller, fuel-efficient cars are emerging as a preferred choice.

Tata Prima
The Tata Prima, the concept luxury sedan designed by Pininfarina, is an iteration of the next generation luxury sedan from Tata Motors. It combines the fundamental design characteristics of the Tata brand, as seen in the Tata Indigo, with sporty curvatures to create a coupe-like silhouette, simple yet refined with an inherent premium.

The Tata Prima's large wheelbase of 2.70 metres endows it with excellent interior space that a luxury sedan demands. The subtle treatment of the C pillar, the hallmark of a Pininfarina design's gracefulness and sporty characteristic, brings forth a coupe-like sloped cabin and tapering back without compromising interior space. The result is that the Tata Prima concept exudes an overall elegance, endowed with style, luxury and comfort and proportions that are classical yet modern.

Tata Indica Vista EV
The Tata Indica Vista EV will be a more practicable option for the consumer: capable of carrying four individuals, adequate luggage space, with a predicted range of up to 200 km and acceleration of 0-60 kmph in under 10 seconds. Tata Motors continues its innovative approach with the Indica Vista EV too, using super polymer lithium ion batteries which have superior energy density to conventional batteries. Tata Motors' electric vehicles will be produced in association with Miljo Grenland/Innovasjon, Norway. Tata Motors' UK subsidiary, Tata Motors European Technical Centre plc, has a 70% stake in Miljo. The first such vehicle to be developed by the company is the Indica EV, which is currently undergoing extensive tests in Europe.

Besides these three new cars, Tata Motors is displaying the new generation Tata Indica Vista itself. Launched in India in August 2008, it has received excellent customer response. It has received two prestigious Indian awards - the UTVi Autocar Best Value for Money Car Award and the Business Standard Motoring Jury Award. Also on display is the Tata Xenon 2.2 litre double-cab, an ideal dual-use vehicle with contemporary styling and superior convenience.

Speaking on the occasion at the Geneva Motor Show, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, said, "In India, the Nano will be launched on March 23, and the cars will be on display at company dealerships from the first week of April. The Nano has also generated wide interest in developed countries, since it's unveiling in Delhi and its presentation here last year. We are delighted to present the Nano Europa for future launch in such markets. The Indica Vista EV represents the work of Tata Motors on alternate technologies, while the Prima is an iteration of a luxury sedan we will introduce. They together signify the ongoing evolution in our cars."

Photo Credit: autoblog.nl

[Tata via Indian Autos Blog]

"We were getting the cooperation that they could give us, but the infrastructure was woefully poor," he said,

As an example, Tata said it took three hours for firefighters to get water to the Taj after a blaze broke out in the oldest part of the building.

"We had people who died being shot through bulletproof vests," he added.

Tata said that not even the army or commandoes who ultimately took over the offensive were prepared for the level of organization and execution that the attackers seemed to have put into their plan.

Though obviously deflecting with his response, Tata did say he believed the country will come together.

[CNN]

There's not much of a chance — or need — to move Jaguar, as a brand, into the stratospheric luxury level, but it wouldn't be hard for the company to follow the model of Mercedes-Maybach, VW-Bentley and BMW-Rolls Royce. In fact, Daimler already enjoys positive name recognition in Europe for their earlier cars. [Times Online]

News of a diesel option isn't really that earth shattering, as Ratan Tata, the man himself, has been quoted saying, "By and large we've always been a diesel company, so we will have a diesel version that will follow." This new diesel variant would be the smallest and most fuel-efficient offering in the Indian marketplace. Not only that, but the 0.8-liter mill dwarfs the standard 623 cc gas engine, and would probably make the Nano D the standout performance leader in the range — though more than likely the priciest offering as well. Is there something wrong with us if we really, really want three Nanos with different powerplants so we can race down the main drag, Shriner-style? [Economic Time]

First, the company already has a significant infrastructure already in place in the state. Second, it's a much shorter flight to New York from Mumbai and London, reducing executive jet lag. Third, Ratan Tata loves Springsteen. In fact, at a recent concert, Tata was heard to scream "Play Darkness On The Edge Of Town" repeatedly. [Photo: Getty Images, Auto News (Subs. Req.)

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]

Though this is a rumor, no one should doubt the will of Ratan Tata to do whatever he wants and Tata already has a small stake in Fiat, Ferrari's parent company. [Motor Authority