Electric power steering equipped Tata Nano Twist launched in India; Prices start at 2.36 lakh rupees

Snapshot: Tata Motors has launched the electric power steering equipped Nano Twist variants in India. Currently, the car is available in a single XT variant, priced at 2.36 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Delhi. This price represents a 12,000 rupee premium over the non-power steering LX variant, a small price for the additional convenience. Bookings for the XT variant are now open with deliveries to begin shortly.

The Tata Nano is now available with an electric power steering developed by German autoparts giant ZF. The low cost electric power steering – developed specifically for the Nano – makes the car easier to steer at parking speeds. Tata Motors choose an electric steering instead of a hydraulic unit to avoid a lower fuel economy, which is usually the result of adding a hydraulic power steering.

The electric power steering that ZF has developed for the Nano uses the same steering ratio as that of the non-power steering equipped Nano variants. The ZF electric power steering is a brush-less unit, designed for maximum efficiency. The power steering unit comes with an “Active Return” (self centering) feature that brings back the steering to the straight-ahead position after turning left/right.

Apart from the power steering, the Twist variant of the Nano features a refreshed instrument console with digital gauges for temperature and fuel readings. The seats and door pads have been refurbished while the gearshift console has been redesigned. The Nano Twist also comes with features such as Bluetooth connectivity,  keyless entry and rear parcel shelf.

All variants of the Nano Twist, except the Blue coloured version come with Beige interiors. The Blue coloured Nano Twist features a black interior scheme. Tata Motors has also added the “Damson Purple” paint shade to the Nano Twist variant. The car is available in six colors namely, Damson Purple (New), Pearl White, Royal Gold, Papaya Orange, Meteor Silver and Dazzle Blue.

The Nano XT’s 2.36 lakh rupee price tag means that the new variant is the most expensive Nano variant to be sold across India, apart from the CNG E-MAX variants that are limited to certain cities. The Nano XT is targeted at women and elderly Nano buyers, many of whom have complained of the Nano’s non-power assisted steering being tiring to handle at parking speeds.

The Tata Nano Twist continues to be powered by the 624 cc, twin cylinder petrol engine that outputs 37 Bhp of peak power and 51 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 4 speed manual gearbox. The Nano is India’s most fuel efficient petrol car with a 25.4 Kmpl ARAI certified mileage figure. The Nano is also the least priced car in the world, with prices starting from as little as 1.5 lakh rupees.