2011 Tata Nano CX

Nano is a real car that’s actually affordable to the rapidly growing middle class in developing countries. It surrounds occupants in steel, puts a solid roof over their heads, and even provides a climate-controlled interior. And with an estimated EPA fuel economy of 52 mpg city and 62 mpg highway, the Nano is economical to operate.

2011 Tata Nano base model is slightly longer than a Smart ForTwo, but that doesn’t make it large. Tata has squeezed four seats and a small parcel shelf behind the rear bench. Surprisingly, there is adequate room for four. The tall roof and expansive greenhouse helps promote a feeling of spaciousness even if there isn’t an inch to spare.

One reason the interior has the room it does is because there’s no trunk or conventional engine bay. The other reason for the exemplary space utilization is that there are no traditional crush zones. All vehicles sold in North America have body structures designed to help absorb and safely dissipate the energy of a collision.

Tata Nano CX features taxi-grade, two-tone vinyl upholstery and hard plastic door panels. Painted metal surrounds the door inserts and the roof pillars are also all devoid of trim. Air conditioning and a heater are standard, an extra not found on the base model.

The company produces the engine control computer for the Nano’s fuel-injected gasoline engine, a 624-cc two-cylinder engine (about 38 cubic inches for you old-school types). Cranking out approximately 33 horsepower and 65 pound-feet of torque.

The Nano’s engine powers the rear wheels from its position behind the back seats and is accessed through the interior via the panel that forms the floor of the parcel shelf. The hood is held in place with practical wing nuts. Air for the engine’s intake and cooling is sucked in through vents in front of the rear wheels and the exhaust pipe isn’t much larger than the straw of a Super Big Gulp.

The Tata Nano has a four-speed manual transmission, 12-inch tires and equally tiny seven-inch drum brakes. These are power assisted on the CX, but manual on the base model. The brakes, wheels and tires are independently suspended at the very corners of the Nano to help maximize interior space.

The right front seat of the Nano, its feathery-light door closes easily. The key fires the ignition in a familiar way and the engine starts willingly, quickly settling into a smooth idle. The clutch pedal feels as if it is connected to a few thick rubber bands, but it does its job and the Nano moves easily off the line, and the transmission makes quick work of moving up and down the gears.