The much awaited car has now been launched. Tata’s Nano hits the roads. The review of the car is mixed. US auto critics acknowledging its surprisingly comfortable and spacious interiors, but drawing up a checklist of drawbacks, including its dodgy sound and of course the speed.
Autoweek magazine observed after a test drive in Pune, ”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.”
”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,” writes reviewer Bob Rupani. He also adds that the passenger compartment has been well isolated from the sound but not from all the harshness. Even at idle you can feel the engine rocking, and under hard acceleration the vibrations become quite evident. Thankfully, the four-speed gearbox is precise, light and pleasing.”
Autoweek also praised the car’s efficient air-conditioning that’s only in the superior model, its brakes, and its manoeuvrability, but was uncomfortable with its body rolls.
