Tata unveils Megapixel concept car at Geneva Motor Show

(left to right): Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata, Deputy Chairman Cyrus P. Mistry, Vice Chairman Ravi Kant, and Managing Director (India Operations) P. M. Telang at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday. Photo: Special Arrangement

At a time when fuel conservation is becoming imperative across the world, Tata Motors is aiming to make a car, Tata Megapixel, which can deliver up to 100 kilometres from a litre of fuel (under battery only power).

The company, which surprised the world with ‘Rs.1 lakh car' Nano, on Tuesday unveiled the concept vehicle, which is a four-seater global range extended electric vehicle (REEV), meant for city driving.

The new innovation from the house of Tatas is likely to be commercially launched in around three years from now.

“Realistically such products take at least three years to develop. There are lots of electric technologies to be developed, besides many other things,” Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata said after unveiling the vehicle here at the Geneva Motor Show. Speaking during the unveiling of Megapixel, Tata Motors Managing Director (India Operations) P. M. Telang said: “Tata Megapixel, developed by our design centres in India, the U.K. and Italy, is our idea of a city car for discerning motorists in any megacity of the world.” — PTI

Our Mumbai Special Correspondent writes:

The car combines a lithium ion phosphate battery and an on-board petrol engine generator for recharging on the move.

The vehicle offers a range of up to 900 km (with a single tank of fuel), path-breaking CO2 emission of just 22 gm/km and fuel economy of 100 km/litre (under battery only power).

The Megapixel takes the ‘Zero Turn' drive system of Tata Pixel (shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show) to another level of manoeuvrability. The car's electric drive has four independent electric motors, one at each wheel. When parking, the electric hub motors drive the wheels in opposite directions, while the front wheels are turned at an acute angle, enabling an exceptional 2.8 metre turning radius.

The at-home charging system is an as innovative induction charging system. The charging begins with the car being parked over the induction pad.

Tata Megapixel's floating C-pillar and wrap-around belt line finisher integrate perfectly with the body surface.

A double-sliding door system and the car's B-pillar less design make entry/exit easy, besides enhancing visibility. The vehicle accommodates four adults with luggage.