Straightline

The Tata Nano made its European debut here in Geneva, and once again it drew a huge crowd. Onlookers marveled at its impossibly small wheels, straw-sized exhaust pipe and single windshield wiper. We weren’t allowed to get inside, but given that there’s no radio, air-conditioning or any other features to speak of, there isn’t much to see anyway. The rear-mounted engine displaces a whopping 623cc and generates all of 34 horsepower. It’s connected to a continuously variable transmission that helps it achieve roughly 50 mpg. Acceleration is probably leisurely at best, but what do you expect for $2,500?

At this point, the Tata only meets emissions and crash test standards in India, and in case you’re not up to speed on those, they are considerably less stringent than U.S. requirements. Think 1990s and you would be close. In other words, don’t expect to see any Nanos in the U.S. any time soon.  –- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line