Nano wins guarded international approval

24 March 2009

Tata's Nano has got mixed reviews from around the world, with most of those who have test-driven it finding it well-engineered and good value for the price, while others – particularly in France and Western Europe – have slammed its lack of safety features.

News of the Nano launch was carried prominently in the media in the US and Europe, showing their interest in a cheap and fuel-efficient car in a time of deep recession. Most critics praised its spaciousness, but also pointed out its limitations, especially in terms of speed as well as safety.

''The first thing that impresses is the space. Four adults can sit comfortably in the simple and spartan interior. The seats are thin and flat, but surprisingly comfortable. Plastic and fabric quality is better than expected, though the carpet looks cheap,'' leading Detroit magazine AutoWeek said. 

''Start up the Nano and you immediately know it's powered by a rear-mounted engine. The all-aluminum twin uses a single balance shaft, yet it is not very smooth or refined and sounds a bit like a lawn mower,'' AutoWeek's reviewer Bob Rupani wrote.

However, he praised the car on many fronts, including the relatively good insulation of the passenger compartment from noise and vibrations. ''Thankfully, the four-speed gearbox is precise, light and pleasing, he added.'' 

The magazine also approved the car's air-conditioning, and brakes, and its high manoeuvrability – a feature that has caught the eye of other reviewers as well.