As you'd expect, Tata's 1-Lakh will use copious amounts of plastic. Where you'd normally find bolts, there will be a new kind of welding, which will reduce weight and save manufacturing costs. Tata officials insist that anyone with a six-foot-plus frame will ride comfortably in the front or rear seats.
As for performance, company spokespeople say that the car should match the Maruti 800, a rebadged Suzuki Alto, which is the best selling car in India. The Maruti is powered by a .8-liter three-cylinder engine. Look for the 1-Lakh to get 15.5 miles per liter of fuel--or well over 40 mpg. And of course it will have side curtain air bags, heated seats, fog lights and Bluetooth connectivity.
Well, actually it won't have these features. Nor will it have crumple zones, antilock brakes or rear seat belts. Automobile safety is a luxury for rich countries. Unless governments mandate these features, car makers will generally let consumer costs drive the design of their products, never mind that they're producing death traps. There are fine exceptions from Sweden and Germany, of course. But the 1-Lakh (due in the middle of 2008) is a stunning example of how market forces can prey on the public.
Sources: Tata Motors, Forbes
