It was a great headline and some of the best promotion  a motor vehicle builder would want but it will be highly unlikely that  vehicle conglomerate Tata will produce the Nano Minicar for the reported $2500 retail price tag, However thats not what this site is all about but the Indian monster manufacturer  have reported to expect a future release of a compressed air model.

The original petrol model was to deliver 25Kw (33hp) and of course a CO2 emitter again this in not what this site is about but the compressed air  engine will produce only 33% of that and that will occur in the production of the electricity to drive the electrics in the engine . Cold air, compressed in tanks to 300 times atmospheric pressure, is heated and fed into the cylinders of a piston engine. No combustion takes place, so technically there is no pollution actually produced by the car, although the energy needed to compress the air may still come from polluting oil- or coal-burning power stations.

Cost wise based on current electricity prices, and Im sure these will all rise is about $3 USD for 200 kms of travel.

In a perfect world  providing again pricing of this technology is realistic this will be a terrific option especially for developing countries and their need for transport.

I am looking forward to see where this is heading but like all alternative fuel technology its only early early days in relevance its like the television has just been invented and we are talking about colour.

MDI compressed air engine

“In MDI’s original air engine, one piston compresses air from the atmosphere, holding it on a small container that feeds the high pressure air tanks with a small amount of air. Then that portion of the air is sent to the second piston where it works. During compression for heating it up, there is a loss of energy due to the fact that it cannot receive energy from the atmosphere as the atmosphere is less warm than it. Also, it has to expand as it has the crank. MDI’s engine works with constant torque, and the only way to change the torque to the wheels is to use a pulley transmission of constant variation, losing some efficiency. When vehicle is stopped, MDI’s engine had to be on and working, losing energy. In 2001-2004 MDI switched to a design similar to that described in Regusci’s patents, which date back to 1990″

MDI compressed air engine

“In MDI’s original air engine, one piston compresses air from the atmosphere, holding it on a small container that feeds the high pressure air tanks with a small amount of air. Then that portion of the air is sent to the second piston where it works. During compression for heating it up, there is a loss of energy due to the fact that it cannot receive energy from the atmosphere as the atmosphere is less warm than it. Also, it has to expand as it has the crank. MDI’s engine works with constant torque, and the only way to change the torque to the wheels is to use a pulley transmission of constant variation, losing some efficiency. When vehicle is stopped, MDI’s engine had to be on and working, losing energy. In 2001-2004 MDI switched to a design similar to that described in Regusci’s patents, which date back to 1990″

TaTa Nano in 2012-2013

Tata Motors’ total sales (including exports) of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles in July 2012 were 73,491 vehicles, higher by 15%, over July 2011. The company’s domestic sales of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for July 2012 were 68,627 nos., higher by 18%, over 57,990 nos., sold in July last year.

Cumulative sales (including exports) for the company for the fiscal are 262,299 nos., higher by 2%, over 256,800 nos., sold last year.

Commercial Vehicles
The company’s sales of commercial vehicles in July 2012 in the domestic market were 42,387 nos., a 4% growth, compared to 40,798 vehicles, sold in July last year. LCV sales were 29,601 nos., a growth of 19%, compared to 24,962 vehicles sold in July, last year. M&HCV sales stood at 12,786 nos., lower by 19%, compared to 15,836 vehicles sold in July, last year.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 157,685 nos., a growth of 2% over last year. Cumulative LCV sales are 109,956 nos., a growth of 19% over last year, while M&HCV sales stood at 47,729 nos., lower by 22%, over last year.

Passenger Vehicles
Sales of passenger vehicles for July 2012 are at 26,240 nos., higher by 53%, over 17,192 nos., sold in July last year. Sales of the Tata Nano were 5,485 nos., higher by 68%, compared to 3,260 nos., sold in July, last year. The Indica range sales were 8,852 nos., higher by 51%, over 5,860 nos., sold in July, last year. The Indigo range recorded sales of 6,816 nos., higher by 40%, over 4,877 nos., sold in July, last year. The Sumo/ Safari/ Aria/ Venture range sales were 5,087 nos., higher by 59%, over 3,195 nos., sold in July 2011.

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Holden Volt, Australia is a few years behind the US however it should not take long should the public accept this pioneer in alternative fuel. Pricing is the key at just under $60,000 AUD doesn’t give the general buyer much of an option that leads me to believe  like the Prius of 2006  Holden are just offering a token gesture to build on for the future.. Would you buy this over a Prius? How will the Nissan leaf hold up? is there going to be enough  people interested with the deep pockets to explore this  new technology? good questions.  What will create any longevity in this very insular market, at this stage price to the ordinary buyer unfortunately in Australia the market is full of good quality vehicles with normal fuel requirements below that on offer.

Here is what  a leading Web site Car Advice has said:

“The Holden Volt features a lithium-ion battery pack and an electric drive unit that give the hatchback a pure electric driving range of up to 87km. A 1.4-litre petrol engine acts as a generator to extend the Volt’s range. It recharges the battery to continue powering the electric motor, giving the Volt a potential range of more 600km depending on conditions.

Three driving modes can be selected: Normal, Sport and Hold. Sport mode is designed to maximise driving enjoyment by sharpening response times and feedback, while Hold mode conserves power in the battery and maintains an electric charge from the petrol generator.

Every one of the 161 components of the Volt’s lithium-ion battery, its charging and thermal-management systems and components of its electric drive system are covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty, which is transferable to other vehicle owners.”

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The Nissan leaf, Its back to nature,  its natural,  its part of the environment in which we live.

Well then that’s the spiel but what we have is a joint Renault-Nissan  venture into the world of Lithium Ion battery technology. For years now we have been talking about this new technology that offers a user friendly safer more reliable  battery system for future alternative fuel cars.

Now its a reality. 2012 Nissan US and Japan will market this world car based on the Nissan Tiida.

5 Seater based on the Nissan Tiida

This 5 Seater offer High tech or what is called the IT system coupled with laminated lithium ion batteries that offer  better charge times and cruising.

Who would have thought upon the release of the Prius in the prehistoric days of Hybrids that you will have a 80% charge in 30 minutes. Cruising range now is 160 KMs with speeds up to 140 kms ph (87 mph)

We will look back in a few years hence and review this just as we would look at a commodore 64 computer but electric  vehicles are now a possibility within the realms of the average person requiring alternative fuel cars for their daily short commutes.

The Nissan electric IT system

The Nissan leaf also boasts the Hi tech IT system., Here is what a recent Nissan press release said:

Nissan LEAF employs an exclusive advanced IT system. Connected to a global data center, the system can provide support, information, and entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day.

The dash-mounted monitor displays Nissan LEAF’s remaining power – or “reachable area” – in addition to showing a selection of nearby charging stations.

Another state-of-the-art feature is the ability to use mobile phones to turn on air-conditioning and set charging functions – even when Nissan LEAF is powered down. An on-board remote-controlled timer can also be pre-programmed to recharge batteries.

With more a year in the market, the Nissan Leaf all-electric car has pretty much run through the early adopters. Now, the Japanese automaker plans to focus on marketing to “pragmatists,” people who will see the dollars-and-sense benefits of driving one, a top executive said today.

The push will especially important now that Leaf production is moving from Japan to the U.S. There will be a lot more Leafs — Leaves? — that need to be sold, said Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer.

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According to  recent Nissan press release:

“Bevel’s exterior design begins with the two passenger-side doors, featuring a rear door hinged at the rear to provide an exceptionally wide door opening of nearly five-and-a-half feet. Bevel’s tall one-piece rear hatch features a special horizontal hinge arrangement, with a height when raised of 6’2” from the ground. With the hatch open, a special tailgate-like work platform folds down and snaps into place, creating a sturdy workbench-like area. ”

“The “command central” information/technology zone features a series of screens that display images from the sideview mirror cameras and five information menus – Vehicle Information, HVAC, Navigation, Entertainment and Home – through use of the ribbon-mounted controller.

The “Entertainment” control center allows the driver to access phone settings, weather and traffic reports, Internet and personal e-mail accounts, and music, while also allowing the driver to access a home network and monitor locks and security system, heat and air conditioning, appliance, room lighting and garage door status. ”

Some automotive manufacturers seem to be more adventurous with their design brief and Nissan consistently appears to put itself firmly into that category. Nissan also seems to use concept cars as specific vehicles for testing and refining design, features and gauging public response. The Nissan Murano is one example of the bridge Nissan has built between concept and production. The interesting thing for me with the Nissan Bevel is that many industry commentators say that it’s bold and dramatically innovative, yet I see at least three links to the 1970′s in it. Forget the DeLorean – it’s back to the future with the Nissan Bevel Concept Car!

Photo and Detroit motor show video.

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