Let's cut to the chase - What’s new in the 2012 Tata Nano?

Unless you have been vacationing on the moon, you must know that the Tata Nano has received upgrades. But surely the question on your mind is What’s New? Looks pretty much the same ain’t it?

You’re right and to some extent wrong as well. The looks haven’t been changed much. But there is more than what meets the eye.

• 25.4 kmpl

Oh yes! Tata Motors obsession with the number ’25 kmpl’ has rubbed over the Nano as well. The boffins at Tata Motors have squeezed 25Kmpl from Nano’s tiny 624 cc engine.

• 3 PS more POWER!

While increasing the mileage, somehow Tata Motors have also managed to increase the power rating on the engine. Earlier, the engine used to produce 35 PS but now its produces 38 PS of POWER!

• More Torque

The torque figure has also jumped to 51 Nm as opposed to earlier 48 Nm. Do you feel a drag race coming? No kidding, Tata Motors have also included (and I quote from the press release) “Racier Sounding Exhaust Note”  for the enthusiast in you.

The Suspension set up has been revised and so has the braking. Even the base model now comes with booster-assisted brakes and anti roll bar in the front. Passenger side OVRM can be fitted as an accessory. The steering system is tweaked and takes less muscle to execute a U-Turn.

The interiors, as we have seen from the earlier set of pics, are now beige to add to the premium feel with redesigned front headrests. The Nano will be available in 10 new colors: Pearl White, Rouge Red, Aqua Blue, Neon Rush, Serene White, Meteor Silver, Mojito Green, Papaya Orange, Sunshine Yellow, and Champagne Gold.

The three trim levels of the 2012 Tata Nano and their key features are:

Tata Nano Standard: The standard version comes with three colour options -- Rouge Red, Aqua Blue, Serene White -- along with clear headlamps, tubeless tyres and tip-tap driver side mirror, booster-assisted brakes and front suspension with anti-roll bar. The interiors comprise dual-tone vinyl seats and fold-down rear seat.

Tata Nano CX: The Nano CX comes in six colour options -- Rouge Red, Champagne Gold, Neon Rush, Meteor Silver, Papaya Orange and Serene White. The interiors have been refreshed with trendy black fabric seats, ebony black interiors, fold-down rear seat with nap rest. Besides these, the variant offers best-in-class air-conditioning with heating (optional), parcel shelf, booster-assisted brakes, tip-tap mirrors on driver and passenger side and half wheel covers.

Tata Nano LX: The top-end variant comes loaded with features like premium beige fabric seats, central locking, door handles, front power windows, cup holder in front console, provision for 12V socket, body coloured bumpers, fog lamps, electronic trip meter, rear spoiler, full wheel covers and tip-tap mirrors on driver and passenger side and booster-assisted brakes. The Nano LX comes in six premium colours --  Pearl White, Papaya Orange, Mojito Green, Sunshine Yellow, Meteor Silver and Champagne Gold.

But the best part is that all these upgrades are free. The price of the Nano remains unchanged.

The Tata Nano will continue to be  priced (ex-showroom, Delhi), at Rs.1.40 lakhs for the Nano Standard, Rs.1.70 lakhs for the Nano CX and Rs.1.96 lakhs for the Nano LX.