The BS-III-compliant Tata Nano comes with an all-new 2-cylinder aluminium MPFI 624cc petrol engine mated to a four-speed gear box and will be available in three variants. The cars will be on display across the country at Tata Motors passenger car dealerships and other select authorised outlets from 1 April.

Just 8-per cent short of the Maruti, the Nano offers an incredibly spacious passenger compartment, which can comfortably seat four adults. With a length of just 3.1 metres, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres, it has the smallest exterior footprint for a car in India but is 21-per cent more spacious than the smallest car available today.

A high seating position makes entry and exit easy. Its small size coupled with a turning radius of just 4 metres, makes it extremely manoeuvrable in the smallest of parking slots.

The Nano will be available in three trim levels. Their key features made available at launch are:

• Tata Nano Standard (BSII- and BSIII-compliant): The standard version, in three colour options, single-tone seats, and fold-down rear seat
• Tata Nano CX (BSII- and BSIII-compliant): In five colour options, with heating and air-conditioning (HVAC), two-tone seats, parcel shelf, booster-assisted brakes, fold-down rear seat with nap rest;
• Tata Nano LX (BSIII-compliant): With the features of CX plus complete fabric seats, central locking,  front power windows, body coloured exteriors in three premium colours, fog lamps, electronic trip meter, cup holder in front console, mobile charger point, and rear spoiler.
• Many of these features are not available on current entry-level small cars in the country.

Performance and specifications
Performance: The 2-cylinder engine - delivering 35 PS @ 5250 rpm and a torque of 48 Nm @ 3000 rpm - enables the car to have a top speed of 105 kmph and negotiate inclines with a gradeability of 30 per cent.

Fuel efficiency: 23.6 km  per l itre, certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) under mandated test conditions, which is the highest for any petrol car in India.

Emission: The high fuel efficiency, coupled with a low kerb weight of 600kg, ensures that the Tata Nano - at 101 gm / km - has the lowest CO2 emission amongst cars in India.

Though the Nano is BS-III compliant it is also BS-IV-ready, even while also being availale in BS-II norms.

Safety: The Tata Nano's safety performance exceeds current regulatory requirements - it passes the roll-over test and offset impact, which are not regulated in India. It has an all sheet-metal body, reinforced passenger compartment, crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, besides mandatory seat belts and complies fully with existing Indian safety standards. Tubeless tyres - among which the rear ones are wider endowing extra stability - enhance safety.

Warranty: 18 months or 24,000km, whichever is earlier.