Tata Says Variant of Inexpensive and Fuel-Efficient Nano Minicar Planned for U.S.

Tata Says Variant of Inexpensive and Fuel-Efficient Nano Minicar Planned for U.S.

India's Tata Motors will be offering a gasoline-powered version of its otherworldly inexpensive and impressively fuel-efficient Nano minicar to the U.S., the company's chairman announced at the Delhi Auto Expo this week.

Chairman Ratan Tata said an American-spec Nano would require a larger engine than the model currently in production, as well as additional modifications and safety equipment. He said a U.S. launch is still at least three years away.

The Nano produced now is a rear-engined, four-passenger city car aimed primarily at the Indian market. The car has a claimed fuel efficiency of 61 miles per gallon on the highway and 52 mpg in the city on the U.S. cycle. It has a current stating price of $2,160.

Tata Motors unveiled the Nano Europa at the Geneva Motor Show 2009. The European version would provide high fuel efficiency and carbon-dioxide emissions of less than 100 grams per kilometer and is rumored to cost about $6,000.

Tata Motors has reportedly said that it intends to manufacture all-electric versions of the Nano and the slightly larger Indica sedan. The company has not said whether either are destined for the U.S. market. Estimated prices of those vehicles as well as the U.S.-bound Nano variant have not been disclosed.

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.