Tata Nano Twist Active Concept showcased at the Auto Expo gets an AMT and openable hatch lid

Snapshot: At the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, Tata Motors showcased a concept version of the Nano that comes with a slew of visual enhancements and also mechanical changes. Dubbed the Nano Twist Active, the car gets a new front end with a revised bumper, a new bonnet, a new grille, new rear bumper, a new steering wheel among the various changes in terms of the visuals. Mechanically, Tata Motors has added an automated manual transmission, also known as the AMT. Functionally, the Nano Twist Active gets a major improvement in the form of an open-able hatch lid.

The open-able hatch lid boosts the Nano’s practicality quotient by many notches as the car’s luggage area at the rear can now be accessed from outside. On another note, this also means that the Nano will be stopped at shopping malls, hotel, offices and all other places where it is de rigueur for a car’s boot to be checked. Win some, lose some? You bet!

The automated manual transmission (AMT) brings a boat load of convenience to the Nano as the compact car can now be hustled across the city without the driver having to bother with a manual clutch pedal. Shift and scoot without the clutch could very well become the new mantra of the Nano equipped with the AMT.

The Nano Twist Active will hit production in the coming months. For now though, the car remains a concept that highlights the direction that the Nano range could take in the coming years. For the AMT and open-able hatch lid equipped car, expect to shell about about 40,000-50,000 rupees over and above the price of the power steering equipped Nano Twist.