The Model T of India: the $2,500 Tata Nano

Posted By P.J. Aroon Thursday, January 10, 2008 - 1:47 PM Share

Today India's Tata Motors unveiled the $2,500 Tata Nano, a tiny four-door "People's Car." Some industry analysts say it could revolutionize Indian society the way the Ford Model T did in the United States 100 years ago. Unsurprisingly, Thomas Friedman has already warned Indians not to follow the first world and turn their country into one filled with even more traffic congestion and air pollution. We'll have to wait and see how many takers there are for the Nano, but meanwhile, here's a Nano vs. Model T comparison:


Introductory Price	$2,500	$850 (about $19,000 in 2006)
Number of cylinders	2	4
Horsepower	33	20
Top speed	60 mph (97 km per hour)	45 mph (72 km per hour)
Fuel economy	50 miles per gallon (21 km per liter)	13-21 miles per gallon (5.5-9 km per liter)
Air conditioning	No	No
Power steering	No	No
Windshield wiper	Just 1	A vacuum-powered wiper could be added to the driver's side of the 1926 model for $3.50

Photos: RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images; INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images

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