Tata Motors will showcase the Pixel city car concept at the 11th Auto Expo in Delhi.

The Pixel concept, which made its debut at the Geneva motor show in February this year, is based on the Nano, but has been developed mainly for European markets. It’s just over three metres long, and when it reaches India two years from now, will be up against the likes of the Maruti Alto. Like the Nano, the Pixel will be rear-engined, but will be powered by a three-cylinder petrol and a turbo-diesel.

The design and engineering - the work of Tata’s in-house engineers - incorporates scissor doors and a large glass area, including a panoramic roof. It gets a unique rear-wheel counter-steering system that gives the Pixel a turning radius of just 2.6 metres. The Pixel will form the basis of the next-gen Tata Nano, which is expected not before 2015.

Tata is also in the process of developing hybrid and electric versions of the future Nanos to help it meet future European emissions norms.

However, what’s not making it to the Tata Motors’ stall is the much-speculated diesel powered Nano. Although development on the Nano diesel is complete, the company is holding back the launch. This is a strategic move from Tata Motors, which is keen to push sales of the much-improved Nano 2012, which has been clocking good volumes, in recent months.

We expect the Nano diesel to be launched not before 2013, powered by an 800cc, 2-cyl 45bhp diesel motor.