The launch of the Tata Nano Twist is exactly a week away and Tata Motors is hopeful that this new variant will inject some appeal into the world’s cheapest car, which has been floundering in the market ever since it was launched.

Tata has developed an entirely new electric power steering (EPS) system with supplier ZF Friedrichshafen specifically for the Nano. The Tata Nano’s EPS uses a ‘brushless’ motor, which is the latest technology, and has an ‘Active return’ feature that Tata Motors claims is unique for EPS systems in the Nano’s class. However, the steering ratio remains unchanged from the manual system.

The Tata Nano Twist also gets an all-new instrument cluster with LED fuel and temperature gauges. The new instrument cluster also serves as an interface with the EPS system, which is speed sensitive.

There are no external changes to the Tata Nano Twist except for the badging and the new Damson Purple colour the car will be launched with. Company sources say that the incremental price increase for the Tata Nano Twist will be in a shade under Rs 14,000.

The Tata Nano Twist will be launched at the NCPA in Mumbai on January 13, 2014.