Tata Nano CNG e-Max India launch slated for this month

In October, Tata Motors will launch the CNG-petrol dual fuel version of the Nano in India.

The CNG powered Nano, called the e-Max, will sit above the petrol engined versions of the car in terms of price and positioning. CarToq sources have indicated that the Nano CNG’s LX variant is priced at around Rs. 2.9 lakhs, on-road Mumbai. The price of the Nano CNG represents a near 40,000 rupee increase over the regular petrol LX variant, which sells at 2.51 lakh rupees, on-road Mumbai.

Dealership stockyards in Mumbai and Delhi have already begun receiving the Nano CNG and bookings for the same are being taken at select dealerships. The features and equipment on the Nano CNG is said to be similar to those available on the petrol powered version. The Nano CNG’s engine is the same 624cc twin cylinder unit that’s also found on the petrol powered version. The motor’s output, while running on CNG, drops to 33 PS-45 Nm. On petrol, the engine outputs 38 PS of peak power and 51 Nm of peak torque.

Transmission duties to the rear wheels are handled by a 4 speed manual gearbox. The Nano CNG e-Max retains its rear engine layout while two, 16 liter CNG fuel tanks are located beneath the front seats in the interest of saving the already limited boot space. The 15 liter petrol tank of the Nano is retained as it is and this gives the car dual fuel capability. Switching to petrol mode from CNG mode is achieved by means of a dashboard mounted toggle switch. In CNG mode, the Nano is said to deliver a mileage of 36 Kmpl/Kg.

The combined (CNG + petrol) range of the Nano is 400 Kms. Tail pipe emissions at 75 grams of CO2/Km means that the Nano CNG is one of the lowest CO2 emitter among cars sold in India. Surprisingly, the Nano LX CNG, with a kerb weight of 735 kilograms, is heavier than the petrol powered model by a full 100 kilograms. Tata Motors might have strengthened key elements of the car such as the suspension, to cope with the higher kerb weight. The Nano’s nearest rival cost-wise, is the Maruti Alto 800 CNG, a car that’s priced at Rs. 4.04 lakhs, on road Mumbai.

Technical Specifications – Tata Nano eMax CNG

Source