Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Tata announces Megapixel hybrid EV, alas, it's just a concept]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/tata-megapixel-concept/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/tata-megapixel-concept/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/tata-megapixel-concept/#comments
The Geneva Motor Show means one thing: fantastic cars will be dangled in front of our faces, before being snatched away and being told that it'll never see the light of day, as it's "only a concept." The latest vehicle we'd purchase if they'd let us is Tata's Megapixel, a four-seater compact hybrid EV that promises a range of 560 miles (900km) on a single tank of fuel. A hub motor sits atop each of the four wheels, driven by a petrol-electric engine under the cabin, with a wireless inductive charging panel for topping up the batteries at home. It's designed for the city: with a turning circle of 180 degrees in a 2.8 meter space and sliding doors for easy entry. Inside, there's a rear-projected dashboard with a joystick controller (that reminds us of BMWs iDrive) and a smartphone dock for connectivity. Head on past the break to see the vehicle in action and wonder if it'll ever reach the market, like we're doing.

Gallery: Tata Megapixel gallery

Continue reading Tata announces Megapixel hybrid EV, alas, it's just a concept

Tata announces Megapixel hybrid EV, alas, it's just a concept originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>City CarCityCarConcept CarConceptCarEVEVsGenevaGeneva 2012Geneva Motor ShowGeneva Motor Show 2012Geneva2012GenevaMotorShowGenevaMotorShow2012Hybrid EVHybrid VehicleHybridEvHybridVehicleLong Range EVLong Range Hybrid EVLongRangeEvLongRangeHybridEvMegapixelTataTata MegapixelTata MotorsTataMegapixelTataMotorsvideoWireless ChargingWirelessChargingWed, 07 Mar 2012 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Say 'ta ta' to the Tata eMO: the $20,000 EV you'll never set eyes on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/tata-emo-the-20-000-ev-youll-never-set-eyes-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/tata-emo-the-20-000-ev-youll-never-set-eyes-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/tata-emo-the-20-000-ev-youll-never-set-eyes-on/#comments This story ends before it even starts, but it's nice to look at what could have been, should destiny -- or a corporate boardroom -- have taken a different course. Tata Motors, maker of the Nano EV, has been working on new concept -- the eMO -- that it already tells us, we'll never see. It claims the nifty looking car would do 100 imaginary miles per charge and a theoretical 65 mph top speed. It would cost a fictitious 20,000 dollars, thanks to lots of non-existent weight being saved through thrift design principles -- such as space saving suicide doors. There isn't even a hatch for the trunk to easily put away all that shopping you didn't buy. Back in the real world, however, we'll be seeing at least a little more of this fantastical EV as the firm enters it into the Michelin Challenge Design at next week's Detroit Auto Show.

Gallery: Tata eMO

Continue reading Say 'ta ta' to the Tata eMO: the $20,000 EV you'll never set eyes on

Say 'ta ta' to the Tata eMO: the $20,000 EV you'll never set eyes on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcarselectric carelectric carselectric vehicleElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehicleemoeuropeevtatatata emoTataEmoFri, 06 Jan 2012 19:42:00 EST<![CDATA[There is now a $4.6 million Tata Nano made of gold]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/21/there-is-now-a-4-6-million-tata-nano-made-of-gold/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/21/there-is-now-a-4-6-million-tata-nano-made-of-gold/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/21/there-is-now-a-4-6-million-tata-nano-made-of-gold/#commentsThere are people who ask why, and people who ask why not -- and yet others who decide to turn a $2,500 car into a $4.6 million car by covering it with gold and jewels. Yes, that's none other than a lowly Tata Nano in an extravagant disguise that you're looking at, and, yes, it's very much real -- and apparently for sale if anyone's interested, according to the Tata jewelery subsidiary responsible for it (at least once it's done touring it around for a few months). Head on past the break for a video of the unveiling from ITN.

[Image credit: Megha Bahree / The Wall Street Journal]

Continue reading There is now a $4.6 million Tata Nano made of gold

There is now a $4.6 million Tata Nano made of gold originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>excessgoldluxurynanotatatata nanoTataNanovideoWed, 21 Sep 2011 02:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Kenneth Cobonpue's biodegradable car: time to ditch the Gremlin rusting in your yard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/kenneth-cobonpues-biodegradable-car-time-to-ditch-the-gremlin/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/kenneth-cobonpues-biodegradable-car-time-to-ditch-the-gremlin/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/kenneth-cobonpues-biodegradable-car-time-to-ditch-the-gremlin/#comments Is there any sadder sight than a 1958 Plymouth Fury rotting in the woods, Christine-style, its dead headlights staring into the gloaming? We don't think so. That's why we're downright giddy over Kenneth Cobonpue's Phoenix roadster, a biodegradable concept car made from bamboo, rattan, steel and nylon. Style wise, it's propped somewhere between Tata's Nano and Tesla's Roadster, and there's no word yet on what might go under the hood -- presumably a smallish electric engine... or a stardust-powered unicorn, perhaps. That funky-looking body should last the average length of ownership; after five years (or even longer, depending on the composition), it can be replaced or naturally returned to the Ma Earth. One potential downside of biodegradable vehicles? No more "dead car" Flickr albums. Also, no warranties.

Kenneth Cobonpue's biodegradable car: time to ditch the Gremlin rusting in your yard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 03:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoautomotiveautosbamboocarscomposite materialsCompositeMaterialscompositeselectric carselectric vehicleelectric vehiclesElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehicleElectricVehiclesevgreen carsGreen MaterialsGreen TransportationGreenCarsGreenMaterialsGreenTransportationKenneth CobonpueKennethCobonpuenanorattanroadsterSustainable MaterialsSustainableMaterialstatateslaFri, 15 Apr 2011 03:46:00 EST<![CDATA[MIT professor touts first 'practical' artificial leaf, signs deal with Tata to show up real plants]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/mit-professor-touts-first-practical-artificial-leaf-signs-dea/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/mit-professor-touts-first-practical-artificial-leaf-signs-dea/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/mit-professor-touts-first-practical-artificial-leaf-signs-dea/#commentsA professor at MIT claims to have Mother Nature beat at her own game. Dr. Daniel Nocera says his invention is ten times more efficient at photosynthesis than a real-life leaf, and could help to bring affordable alternative energy to developing countries. Described as an "advanced solar cell the size of a poker card," the device is made of silicon, electronics, and inexpensive catalysts made of nickel and cobalt. When placed in a gallon of water under direct sunlight, the catalysts break the H2O down into hydrogen and oxygen gases, which are then stored in a fuel cell -- the energy produced is apparently enough to power a single house for a day. Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen scientists try to one-up nature, in fact, we've seen solar-powered leaves before, but this thing actually looks poised for the mass market -- Nocera signed a deal with Tata in October. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading MIT professor touts first 'practical' artificial leaf, signs deal with Tata to show up real plants

MIT professor touts first 'practical' artificial leaf, signs deal with Tata to show up real plants originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative energyAlternativeEnergyartificialartificial leafArtificialLeafdaniel noceraDanielNoceradeveloping countriesDevelopingCountrieselectricityenergyleavesMITphotosynthesispowerrenewable energyRenewableEnergysolarsolar powersolar-poweredSolarPowerTataMon, 28 Mar 2011 15:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: LAVA's geodesic home, solar skyscraper glass and fear of nuclear power]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/27/inhabitats-week-in-green-lavas-geodesic-home-solar-skyscrape/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/27/inhabitats-week-in-green-lavas-geodesic-home-solar-skyscrape/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/27/inhabitats-week-in-green-lavas-geodesic-home-solar-skyscrape/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.
This week Inhabitat showcased several groundbreaking feats of high-tech architecture - starting with plans to transform the United States' tallest skyscraper into a soaring solar farm. We also saw a vision for a geodesic home of the future that is popping up in China this year, and we learned that scientists in Qatar are developing a series of solar-powered artificial clouds that will cool the country's stadiums during the 2022 World Cup.

It was a big week for energy news as well as Germany and Italy announced plans to abandon nuclear power in the wake of the crisis in Japan. Tata & MIT also announced a breakthrough technology for generating power from water, and we saw solar energy reach new heights as Suntech set off to install the world's tallest solar plant on the Tibetan Plateau. Speaking of soaring green designs, we watched a brand new electric vehicle take to the skies as the solar-powered Elektra One airplane successfully completed its maiden flight.

This week we also showcased several cutting-edge examples of wearable technology including an app that instantly transforms any drawing into a made-to-measure dress. We also learned that Virgin Atlantic now offers passengers bespoke shoes while they wait, and we took a look at a futuristic pregnancy belt that offers an inside look at the womb. Finally, we saw several amazing examples of recycled design - Chinese artist Wing Wah has created a set of scrap metal transformer robots that look just like the movies, and designer Mati Karmin has transformed defused land mines into an edgy set of interior furnishings.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: LAVA's geodesic home, solar skyscraper glass and fear of nuclear power originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beltclothingdesignElektra OneElektraOnegeodesicInhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreennuclearnuclear powerNuclearPowerpregnancyscrap metalScrapMetalshoessolarsolar powerSolarPowerTatawater powerWaterPowerweek in greenWeekInGreenSun, 27 Mar 2011 21:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Genovation G2 aims to be the greenest thing you can drive, will be made from renewable and recycled parts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/genovation-g2-aims-to-be-the-greenest-thing-you-can-drive-will/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/genovation-g2-aims-to-be-the-greenest-thing-you-can-drive-will/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/genovation-g2-aims-to-be-the-greenest-thing-you-can-drive-will/#comments One big sticking point for those still unwilling to embrace the eco-friendly credentials of electric vehicles is the undeniable fact that building an EV costs plenty in terms of resource and energy use. Hoping to counter this concern, Genovation is working on developing a new G2 electric car (the G1 was a Ford Focus modified with off-the-shelf parts to run on batteries), which will try to maximize the use of renewable and recycled materials in its construction. It's just completed the first phase of its development, where quarter-size models have been built by Tata Technologies and a bunch of simulations, analyses, and performance tests have been run. Phases two and three will involve the building of functional prototypes and pre-production road vehicles, with phase four presumably being the onset of our sustainable living utopia.

Continue reading Genovation G2 aims to be the greenest thing you can drive, will be made from renewable and recycled parts

Genovation G2 aims to be the greenest thing you can drive, will be made from renewable and recycled parts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardesigndevelopmenteco-consciouselectricelectric vehicleElectricVehicleenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlyevg2genovationgenovation g2GenovationG2greenhybridmaterialsphevplug-inrecycledrecyclingrenewablerenewable materialsRenewableMaterialssustainabletatavehicleMon, 24 Jan 2011 05:15:00 EST<![CDATA[British government confirms nine EVs eligible for £5,000 rebates, but there are really only six]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/british-government-confirms-nine-evs-eligible-for-5-000-rebates/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/british-government-confirms-nine-evs-eligible-for-5-000-rebates/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/british-government-confirms-nine-evs-eligible-for-5-000-rebates/#commentsBritish government confirms nine EVs eligible for £5,000 rebates, but there's really only eight Buy an electric vehicle in the US, like the Nissan Leaf, and you can expect to get a nice boost to your tax refund: a $7,500 federal subsidy. Now the UK is getting in on the cash back game, with a programme program starting on January 1st to offer a 25 percent discount on EVs purchased -- up to a maximum of £5,000. Nine cars have been declared eligible for this decidedly choice bonus:
Sure, the first three and the last two cars are effectively the same models, just with different bits of chrome stuck on the front, but a little badge engineering never hurt anybody.

British government confirms nine EVs eligible for £5,000 rebates, but there are really only six originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmperabritainChevroletChevrolet VoltChevroletVoltCitroenCitroen CZeroCitroenCzeroCZeroelectric vehicleElectricVehicleevfourtwo electric driveFourtwoElectricDrivegovernment subsidyGovernmentSubsidyi-MiEViOnLeafMitsubishiMitsubishi i-MiEVMitsubishiI-mievNissan LeafNissanLeafPeugeotPeugeot iOnPeugeotIonPrius Plug-in HybridPriusPlug-inHybridSmartSmart fourtwo electric driveSmartFourtwoElectricDriveTataTata VistaTataVistatax rebatetax refundTaxRebateTaxRefundToyotaToyota Prius Plug-in HybridToyotaPriusPlug-inHybridukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomVauxallVauxall AmperaVauxallAmperaVistaVoltTue, 14 Dec 2010 15:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata DoCoMo, Airtel bringing 3G to India this year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/tata-docomo-airtel-bringing-3g-to-india-this-year/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/tata-docomo-airtel-bringing-3g-to-india-this-year/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/tata-docomo-airtel-bringing-3g-to-india-this-year/#commentsIt's been a long, brutal road, 2010 finally saw the long-overdue conclusion to India's nationwide 3G spectrum auction -- and in its wake, we're starting to see the winners make some firm commitments for getting services live. Two of the country's big operators, Tata DoCoMo and Bharti Airtel, are actually saying that they'll have their deployments up and running before the year's out; Airtel hasn't given a date, but Tata DoCoMo has pegged November 5th for its phase-one rollout in nine markets. Considering the size and complexity of India's spectrum license landscape, nationwide usability is definitely a concern -- but Airtel's saying that it's on the cusp of signing some roaming agreements that should keep things on the up and up. Oh, and Vodafone Essar? They're in the mix, too, though they'll be trailing a bit -- look for 3G from their towers in the first quarter of next year.

Tata DoCoMo, Airtel bringing 3G to India this year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gbhartibharti airtelBhartiAirtelindiamobiletatatata docomoTataDocomoTue, 26 Oct 2010 19:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Pay no attention to that playful UI behind the Google Maps curtain (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/22/pay-no-attention-to-that-playful-ui-behind-the-google-maps-curta/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/22/pay-no-attention-to-that-playful-ui-behind-the-google-maps-curta/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/22/pay-no-attention-to-that-playful-ui-behind-the-google-maps-curta/#comments Thought the page-turning Macallan was nifty? You ain't seen nothing yet -- The Astonishing Tribe (the brains behind the look of Android) aims to give you billowing, rippling cloth-like curtains of clever interactive content with their concept Velvet UI. Pull out a widget or Google Maps query, and a sheet of your desired result waves with the virtual wind, before stretching out flat for you to more comfortably interact with. Running on MeeGo (and apparently possible on Android) it's built with the company's proprietary UI framework, so don't expect it to hit tablets anytime soon unless someone throws them some bucks. Also see: TAT's other impressive concepts. Video after the break.

Continue reading Pay no attention to that playful UI behind the Google Maps curtain (video)

Pay no attention to that playful UI behind the Google Maps curtain (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidCascadesdesignKastormeegoTATTAT CascadesTAT KastorTAT Motion LabtataTatCascadesTatKastorTatMotionLabThe Astonishing TribeTheAstonishingTribetouchscreen interfaceTouchscreenInterfaceUIuser interfaceUserInterfaceVelvetVelvet UIVelvetUivideoWind RiverWindRiverSun, 22 Aug 2010 13:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata bringing two all-electric cars to a Europe near you by March]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/16/tata-bringing-two-all-electric-cars-to-a-europe-near-you-by-marc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/16/tata-bringing-two-all-electric-cars-to-a-europe-near-you-by-marc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/16/tata-bringing-two-all-electric-cars-to-a-europe-near-you-by-marc/#comments First of all, don't worry, the spontaneously combusting Nano isn't among the pair of newly Euro-bound EVs from Tata. Going slightly more upmarket, the Indian company will be launching the Indica Vista EV hatchback for eco-conscious Brits and Scandinavians early next year, alongside the somewhat less exciting Ace, a commercial mini-truck. The Indica Vista has clearly had a few trials and tribulations in coming to market in an all-electric form, having originally been promised to Norwegian tree huggers for 2009, so let's just hope that this schedule is the one that sticks. It's about time this whole EV movement got some more affordable options.

Tata bringing two all-electric cars to a Europe near you by March originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011aceall-electriccarcarselectric carelectric carselectric vehicleElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehicleeuropeevindicaindica vistaindica vista evIndicaVistaIndicaVistaEvplansroadmapscheduletatatata acetata indica vistatata motorsTataAceTataIndicaVistaTataMotorsMon, 16 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[India's 3G auction draws to a close]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/indias-3g-auction-draws-to-a-close/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/indias-3g-auction-draws-to-a-close/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/indias-3g-auction-draws-to-a-close/#commentsIt's been a long time coming, but after countless delays in getting the auction underway, bidding on nationwide 3G spectrum in the world's second most populous market has ended -- and four companies appear to have come out on top. Most of the Indian markets only had three licenses available, so you'll likely be doing some roaming if you travel much, but Reliance, Bharti, Aircel, and Tata have all come away with significant swaths of airspace. And how much did it end up costing for the privilege of delivering high-speed wireless 'round these parts? After kicking off India-wide bidding for one slot at 35 billion rupees (about $773 million), the auction wrapped up at 167.51 billion rupees ($3.7 billion) after some 183 rounds of bidding in just over a month. Now, the hard part: actually building those 3G networks. Chop chop, guys!

India's 3G auction draws to a close originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3g3g auction3gAuctionaircelauctionbhartibharti airtelBhartiAirtelindiareliancetataWed, 19 May 2010 11:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata Motors' Nano lights up the streets of Mumbai]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/tata-motors-nano-lights-up-the-streets-of-mumbai/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/tata-motors-nano-lights-up-the-streets-of-mumbai/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/tata-motors-nano-lights-up-the-streets-of-mumbai/#comments
Indeed, there is a time in every product's life-cycle when it has its birth announcement, when it steps out into the world for the first time, and when it bursts into flames -- and Tata's Nano is no exception. According to Indian Autos Blog, the manufacturer is particularly well known for its combustible motorcars these days -- back in 2009, three Nanos caught fire, and now we have pictures of the latest to go into flames, courtesy of an insurance agent Satish Sawant. Apparently, the auto dealership was delivering the vehicle to its new owner when a motorcyclist overtook the driver to get his attention -- just like that old episode of CHiPs. Since the engine is behind the driver, he had no idea that it had caught fire at some point on his journey. Who would have thought that a $2,500 vehicle would be plagued with problems? Let's just hope they get 'em sorted before the Nano EV hits the streets.

Tata Motors' Nano lights up the streets of Mumbai originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcompact carCompactCarfireindiaSatish SawantSatishSawanttatatata motorstata nanoTataMotorsTataNanovehicleMon, 22 Mar 2010 12:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata Nano EV represents the feasible side of our electric future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/tata-nano-ev-represents-the-feasible-side-of-our-electric-future/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/tata-nano-ev-represents-the-feasible-side-of-our-electric-future/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/tata-nano-ev-represents-the-feasible-side-of-our-electric-future/#comments Oh sure, this might not accelerate to ludicrous speed in 3 seconds flat, and it might not look like something Jules Verne brought back from the future, but it is the one electro-vehicular concept we can reliably expect to see hit retail in 2011. Indian carmaker Tata promised us an eco-friendly version of its ultra-affordable Nano, and what you see above is the corporeal fulfillment of that pledge. Our comrades at Autoblog report that the Nano EV will go into production alongside the Indica Vista EV and should be available to buy at some point next year. As far as we're concerned, when it comes to cars other people have to drive, this might be at the very top of our list. See more of it after the break.

Continue reading Tata Nano EV represents the feasible side of our electric future

Tata Nano EV represents the feasible side of our electric future originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcompact carCompactCarelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleevindianano evNanoEvtatatata motorstata nanotata nano evTataMotorsTataNanoTataNanoEvvehicleThu, 04 Mar 2010 05:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata Motors moves first $2,500 Nano in Mumbai]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/tata-motors-moves-first-2-500-nano-in-mumbai/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/tata-motors-moves-first-2-500-nano-in-mumbai/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/tata-motors-moves-first-2-500-nano-in-mumbai/#comments
We've been following the development of Tata Motors' Nano -- a teeny little car whose main claim to fame is its tiny price tag of about $2,500 -- since way back when it was only an announcement. Well, today the cycle is complete: the first Nano has officially been sold to Mumbai resident Ashok Vichare, who says he bought the car (his first) because it's the smallest and cheapest sold in India. The company held a lottery to decide who could purchase the first 100,000 Nanos, and says its got a waiting list of about a year for further cars.

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Tata Motors moves first $2,500 Nano in Mumbai originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automobilescarcarsindiamumbainanotatatata motorstata nanoTataMotorstatananotransportationFri, 17 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata, NTT DoCoMo unveil new branding in India]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/10/tata-ntt-docomo-unveil-new-branding-in-india/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/10/tata-ntt-docomo-unveil-new-branding-in-india/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/10/tata-ntt-docomo-unveil-new-branding-in-india/#comments
The term "DoCoMo" is usually accompanied by a barrage of wild, high-end mobile hardware, so we have a tendency to sit up and pay attention whenever the storied name appears on a carrier anywhere in the world. India's Tata Teleservices -- of which NTT DoCoMo holds a 26 percent share -- is set to launch a newly-branded GSM service as Tata DoCoMo in the southern part of the country this month, followed by a "gradual" expansion nationwide. The logo's pretty awesome, the name's pretty awesome -- now we just need some Japanese domestic market handsets to go along with it and we'll be in business.

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Tata, NTT DoCoMo unveil new branding in India originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>docomoindiajapanmobilentt docomoNttDocomotatatata docomoTataDocomoWed, 10 Jun 2009 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata Indica soon to hit the streets of Norway: it's electric!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/21/tata-indica-soon-to-hit-the-streets-of-norway-its-electric/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/21/tata-indica-soon-to-hit-the-streets-of-norway-its-electric/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/21/tata-indica-soon-to-hit-the-streets-of-norway-its-electric/#comments
We heard tell of an all-electric, Norway-bound Tata Indica back in September of last year, and now it looks like it's almost ready to hit the streets. Autoblog Green is reporting that the makers of the super-cheap Nano expect to have the electric Indica rolling off the line either late this year or early in 2010. While the Indica EV (above) that was shown at the SAE World Congress is not the model that will be available in Norway, we can probably expect it to look something like it. We don't know any details about pricing, but expect the available number of autos to be "limited." No further info about the car yet, but we'll keep you posted. Hit the read link for a full gallery of the EV.

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Tata Indica soon to hit the streets of Norway: it's electric! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't call it a bailout. The European Union has agreed to fund a £307 million loan to the newly minted Jaguar Land Rover conglomeration, known as JLR by those on the inside -- like Tata who owns it. However, unlike the US's rather open-ended (and dire-looking) cash infusions, this offer was made specifically to help the company up its eco-cred. JLR pledges to start with a so-called "Limo Green" version of the next generation XJ luxury sedan (that's the current, decidedly dark one pictured above). The model will use a Volt-like series hybrid drive train, in which the electric motor (or motors) powers the wheels and an onboard gasoline engine serves only to recharge on the go, a combination that should deliver 57 mpg -- three times the current machine's 19 mpg combined figure. The only question now is whether this future-Jag will still smell like leather and tweed smoking jackets, or will the whole thing reek of ozone and patchouli.

[Via GM-VOLT]

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EU automaker loan may lead to fuel-sipping hybrid Jag XJ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Make no mistake, that thing you see pictured above definitely looks no nicer than $2,000, but hey, at least it actually is just $2,000. Indian Autos Blog was on hand at the Tata Nano's official unveiling in Mumbai, and naturally, it fired off a number of images to share with those of us not able to hop a flight to see it in person. The car is set to take showrooms around the nation by storm starting this Wednesday, but for those of us stuck elsewhere on the planet just longing for a (new) beater car for under two large, the pics in the links will simply have to suffice.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

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Tata Nano photographed at official unveiling party originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After getting official over a year ago, missing its original production plan and eventually hitting a wall with respect to production, Tata's long-awaited Nano vehicle is all set to take to the streets this July. According to a fresh report over at Reuters, the world's cheapest car (100,000 rupee, or $1,980) is expected to be the hottest thing around when it ships in India in a matter of months. In fact, there are so many orders waiting to be filled, initial owners will be "randomly selected from bookings made between April 9 and 25." We're also told that a European variant will be launched by 2011, and while a US model is still a possibility, no firm launch date has been given there. Good luck getting your rear into one, and be sure and shoot us a few hands-on shots if you do.

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Tata's $2,000 Nano car to hit Indian streets in July originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheap carCheapCareco-friendlygreenindialow-cost carLow-costCarNanoTataTata NanoTataNanoMon, 23 Mar 2009 11:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Progressive Automotive X-Prize competitors roundup]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/04/progressive-automotive-x-prize-competitors-roundup/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/04/progressive-automotive-x-prize-competitors-roundup/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/04/progressive-automotive-x-prize-competitors-roundup/#comments
With about three weeks left to go, the Progressive Automotive X-Prize has already got 25 submissions (20 names have been publicly released) with creators ranging from college students to large auto makers already in the game. Here's the deal with the contest: the cars must be production-capable and fall in with federal safety guidelines, and it's got to be possible to produce and sell 10,000 of them annually, with a working business plan in place for this to happen by 2014. The car must deliver at least 100 MPGs, and CO2 emissions can't exceed 200 grams per kilometer. The prize for the competition is ten million dollars. We've seen some of these in the past -- Aptera's 2e, MDI's AirCar, and the Tata Nano are all on offer -- but there are a few new guys, too. Some of the more interesting entries are the totally rad looking diesel Avion which has gotten up to 103.7 miles per gallon, Kinetix Motors' diesel-electric hybrid E4 Sports Hatch, which should cost less than $25,000 with a top speed of 95 miles per hour. The company also claims the sporty ride goes from zero to sixty miles in 6.1 seconds. Finally, there's Physics Lab of Lake Havasu Green Giant, an electric truck that gets 50 miles per gallon on its battery, with plans to bump that figure to 100 miles per gallon using other sources of energy. Check out the gallery of other prospects, and hit the read link for the full, delicious list.

Gallery: Automotive X-Prize

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Progressive Automotive X-Prize competitors roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apteraptera 2eAptera2eavione4 sports hatchE4SportsHatchkinetix motorsKinetixMotorsmdimdi air carmdi aircarMdiAircarprogressive x prizeProgressiveXPrizetatatata motorstata nanoTataMotorsTataNanox prizeXPrizeWed, 04 Feb 2009 23:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata Sky gets with the program, launches PVR service in India]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/tata-sky-gets-with-the-program-launches-pvr-service-in-india/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/tata-sky-gets-with-the-program-launches-pvr-service-in-india/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/tata-sky-gets-with-the-program-launches-pvr-service-in-india/#commentsTata Sky may be ready for HD broadcasting, but it can't really expect to topple Dish TV and friends without its own PVR service. At long last, the Indian satcaster is finally enabling its 2.7 million subscribers to enjoy the unbelievable bliss that comes with timeshifting. As for pricing, you'll be asked to hand over Rs 8,999 ($189) for the HDD-packed set-top-box, though current users who choose to upgrade can get ahold of one for "a discounted rate." In related news, managing director and CEO Vikram Kaushik has also expressed his desire to net "at least" 8 million subs by 2012 -- get some serious high-def material rolling and we'd say you can snag 10+ million with ease.

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Tata Sky gets with the program, launches PVR service in India originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It looks like Tata Motors is taking one step forward and one step back this week, with it announcing plans to launch an electric version of its Indica hatchback in Norway within a year while also letting out word that it has abruptly halted construction of the plant in Singur, India that was to have built its budget-priced Nano compact. That latter development was apparently the result of a long-standing dispute with farmers, who are demanding the return of some of the land that was seized by the state government, and had previously caused construction of the plant to be postponed for five days. For its part, Tata says it is now apparently considering relocating the construction site, which would likely cause the planned October launch of the Nano to be delayed.

Read - Reuters, "India's Tata to launch electric car in Norway in 1 yr"
Read - Tech-On, "Tata Suspends Construction of 'nano' Plant"

[Thanks, Samit]

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Tata halts construction of Nano plant, promises electric car for Norway within a year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your dreams of riding in the ultimate cheapo deathbox have just gotten a little bit more real. According to a report, Tata will begin production of its diminutive, ultra-affordable Nano car this Fall. The $2500 vehicle is generally known as the cheapest car in the world, though worries over inflation suggest that its price-point may move above the intended figure. In other news, sources say that Tata plans a "greener" version of the vehicle in addition to the original model, which -- if it happens -- will likely be a real knockout punch for penny-pinchers with an Earth-hugging mindset. Still, you'll probably have to ship it from India, which would burn a lot of fossil fuels, which would be bad for the environment... oh just buy an old Yugo.

[Via Autoblog Green]

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Tata's Nano to begin production this Fall, eco-friendly version on the way? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcheap carCheapCareco-friendlygreenindiananoproductiontataThu, 03 Jul 2008 09:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata rolls out "world's largest" commercial WiMAX network in India]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/04/tata-rolls-out-worlds-largest-commercial-wimax-network-in-ind/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/04/tata-rolls-out-worlds-largest-commercial-wimax-network-in-ind/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/04/tata-rolls-out-worlds-largest-commercial-wimax-network-in-ind/#commentsIt seems as if Tata Communications is out to one-up BSNL -- or at least claim its share of the limelight, anyway. More specifically, the outfit has teamed up with Telsima in order to roll out the "world's largest commercial WiMAX network" in India. Over 5,000 enterprise / retail customers are already connected in ten cities, and there are plans in place to secure nearly a quarter million customers in retail alone during fiscal year 2009. Furthermore, we're hearing that the services should be stretched to 110 cities for enterprise users and 15 cities for the retail segment by the year's end, but users in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Cochin, Chandigarh, and Kolkata are the only ones celebrating at the moment. Not a bad way to grab a bit more market share from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, eh?

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Tata rolls out "world's largest" commercial WiMAX network in India originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indiacomtataTata CommunicationsTataCommunicationsTelsimavsnlwimaxworld recordworld's largestWorld'sLargestWorldRecordTue, 04 Mar 2008 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile launches in India, but don't call it an MVNO]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/04/virgin-mobile-launches-in-india-but-dont-call-it-an-mvno/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/04/virgin-mobile-launches-in-india-but-dont-call-it-an-mvno/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/04/virgin-mobile-launches-in-india-but-dont-call-it-an-mvno/#comments
Emphasizing that Virgin Mobile India's launch is a "brand franchise," not an MVNO, Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson has unveiled the partnership with Tata Teleservices to bring the company's marque to a range of CDMA handsets in one of the world's largest and fastest-growing mobile markets. The franchising scheme is an interesting one because it allows both Tata and Virgin to hook up with other partners, and indeed, Branson has already said that he'll be shopping the service to GSM carriers later this year. As part of the launch, Virgin Mobile is touting ten "industry firsts" -- and while most of them are marketing mumbo jumbo, it's notable that every single phone offered by the carrier MVNO brand features a color display and FM radio. The service is available now.

[Via mocoNews]

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Virgin Mobile launches in India, but don't call it an MVNO originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While many around the globe have their eyes fixated on the events going down in Las Vegas this week, the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi, India is managing to steal at least a hint of the limelight. Announced today, Tata Motors' $2,500 "1-Lakh" car will actually see production in India later this year, and it has affectionately been dubbed the NANO. For those not keen on such a title, it can also be recognized as "The People's Car," but it seems "The Person's Car" may have been more appropriate. Nevertheless, this little bundle of automotive joy will feature an all-aluminum, two-cylinder engine that can deliver around 54 US miles per gallon, and while stripped down would be a gross understatement, it does promise to "exceed current regulatory (read: safety) requirements." Hit the read link for Tata's official release along with a plethora of photos.

[Image courtesy of Manan Vatsyayana/Raveendran for Getty]

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Tata Motors' $2,500 NANO automobile gets official originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid cars are great, what with their higher emm pee gees and all, but there's still one significant issue with the increasingly popular tech: one component of that hybrid relationship happens to be fossil-fuelicious petroleum products. The hybrid Air Car isn't looking to remove that component but, using three dollars worth of pressurized air, they are looking to minimize it for city driving. We've already seen totally air-driven vehicles using the same technology by Indian auto giant Tata, which see you clipping along at one horsepower, going 70 mph for around 120 miles, but what if you need more? No word on range or speed of the hybrid option - which would move from air-powered to gasoline-powered if it needed a boost in either category. It should go without saying that it may be some time before vehicles like this find their way to the US market, but with everyone looking to go green, who knows?

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Compressed air + gas = air-powered hybrid car originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air-poweredgreenhybridTataTue, 08 Jan 2008 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata Motors' $2,500 1-Lakh car gets detailed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/29/tata-motors-2-500-1-lakh-car-gets-detailed/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/29/tata-motors-2-500-1-lakh-car-gets-detailed/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/29/tata-motors-2-500-1-lakh-car-gets-detailed/#commentsRemember that uber-cheap, almost entirely plastic car that India's Tata Motors was working up? Turns out, the still codenamed 1-Lakh automobile is expected to launch in mid-2008 and get around 15 miles-per-liter, which should give the Maruti 800 some serious competition in the budget car arena. According to R. A. Mashelkar, a nonexecutive director on Tata Motors' board, it should provide ample room in "both the front and rear" for a six-foot individual, and he also noted that a "new kind of welding" would be used instead of bolts in a variety of locations on the motorcar. Still, there's just something about the idea of riding in a brand new $2,500 vehicle that doesn't sit well with us -- probably something to do with the dearth of safety features, but who knows.

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Tata Motors' $2,500 1-Lakh car gets detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 Lakh car1-Lakh1LakhCarcarcheap carCheapCarindiaindiantatatata motorsTataMotorsSat, 29 Dec 2007 05:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Marshall Media and VSNL bringing HD VOD to India]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/12/marshall-media-and-vsnl-bringing-hd-vod-to-india/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/12/marshall-media-and-vsnl-bringing-hd-vod-to-india/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/12/marshall-media-and-vsnl-bringing-hd-vod-to-india/#comments
In quite an interesting development, California's own Marshall Media has teamed up with a leading telecommunications company in Asia in order to deliver HD "American infotainment" to broadband customers in India. More specifically, Marshall Media will dish out content such as its own "Road to the American Dream" alongside other programs that cover informative topics (i.e. healthcare seminars) and comedies. Notably, the high-definition media will be delivered using a "video-on-demand digital streaming system," and at least initially, it will require Windows Media Player for playback. Marshall Media is also toying with the idea of providing "live HD broadcasting for various types of events, with the help of VSNL's INMARSAT satellite communications services" in the future, but for now, we're still left without a clue as to when the service will actually launch and how much coin it'll demand.

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Marshall Media and VSNL bringing HD VOD to India originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Although Tata Motors has recently been talked about for its air-powered City Cat, the next big small thing to roll off of its assembly lines may only be fit for the fearless. The reason, interestingly enough, is not that the automaker is aiming to release a comparatively small four-door car for under $3,000, but that "much of it will be [made of] plastic." Reportedly, the company "has yet to release [an official] name for the car or even a sketch of what it might look like," and moreover, the "low manufacturing costs in developing countries" were pinned as a primary cause for the incredible affordability. And you thought driving around in a $30,000 sedan made entirely in China would be frightening.

[Via Fark, image courtesy of TIME]

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India's Tata Motors developing uber-cheap plastic automobile originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 Lakh Car1LakhCarcaremerging marketemerging marketsEmergingMarketEmergingMarketsindiaplastic carPlasticCartatatata motorsTataMotorsMon, 20 Aug 2007 09:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung "Hero" anti-theft phone for India]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/23/samsung-hero-anti-theft-phone-for-india/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/23/samsung-hero-anti-theft-phone-for-india/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/23/samsung-hero-anti-theft-phone-for-india/#commentsWe've seen some third-party solutions for this, but Samsung has taken phone theft prevention to the next level in India, adding a "Mobile Tracker" feature to its new SCH-S109 Hero low-end candybar. With its 128 x 128 black and white display the phone itself doesn't seem likely to turn any heads, but in the unlikely event it catches the eye of a hard-up bandit, the Hero will silently send out two text messages to numbers programmed in by the phone's rightful owner as soon as the SIM gets swapped. The text messages contain the new SIM's phone number, so even if you can't get the phone back, you can heckle the thief at all hours of the day and night. The Hero is dropping as we speak on India's Tata Teleservices network; if it's a commercial success, we'll hopefully have some happy endings to report from the other side of the world.

[Via textually.org]

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Samsung "Hero" anti-theft phone for India originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jun 2006 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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