We had reported earlier that the Tata Nano Twist was expected to be launched on January 15, 2014. However, the power steering-equipped Nano Twist has now been finalised for a January 13, 2014 launch in Mumbai.
The Nano Twist uses a ZF-sourced electric power steering unit and will cost around Rs 15,000 more than the equivalent non-power steering Nano (which is expected to be sold alongside the EPS version). The biggest grouse against the Tata Nano has been its heavy steering, the result of a flawed steering geometry that Tata hasn't quite got right on this 630kg, rear-wheel-drive car.
Manoeuvring the small car through traffic and parking was a bit cumbersome, and to counter this, Tata gave the upgraded 2013 Nano a larger-diameter steering wheel to reduce the steering effort, but this wasn’t very effective.
The ZF-sourced electric power steering system on the Nano Twist marks the first serious mechanical upgrade for the Nano since its launch. This upgrade is a part of Tata Motors’ new Horizonext strategy, which seeks to improve existing products, sales and service to combat the recent slump in sales.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Suraj Viswanathan
Uday Singh
Hormazd Sorabjee
Kiran Murali
