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.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Dipan Sur
Dhruv Dhaka
