Scooting along on a breeze

Maybe electric cars are not the only answer for small personal transportation, writes Brian Byrne. Maybe compressed air is an alternative, too?

What about this Airpod being developed by Indian carmaker Tata? Yes, they're the ones producing the Nano microcar, as well as the high-tech Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles.

They've been working on this one for a couple of years, having bought the Indian rights to build cars using compressed air engines developed over the last two decades by Luxembourg firm MDI.

The prototypes are 3-seaters, and a €1 charge of compressed air will, they claim, last for 125 miles. The top speed is 40mph or so, perfect for a little city 'zip' car?

We'll see. But remember, Tata bought an ailing and loss-making company, Jaguar Land Rover, from Ford and turned it into a highly successful and very profitable company in short order. This should be a (compressed) breeze.

The $2,500 car announced

A new small car about to go into production from Tata Motors Ltd of India turns on its head many of the high tech ideas which underpin modern cars in the developed world.



The Nano will be available on the Indian market at $2,500 and adopts a 'no-frills' approach and a ruthless trimming of manufacturing costs.

For instance, there will be no radio, no rev-counter, no electric windows, and a front 'boot' space that won't hold anything more than a briefcase. The speedometer is a cheap analogue kind.

The rear-mounted engine doesn't come from any car manufacturer but is instead made by Bosch at an estimated cost of 700 USD. It will have a maximum 35hp output.

Component cost cutting includes using a hollow tube instead of a solid steering column, as well as eliminating headlamp height adjusters. In addition, the wheel bearings are 'under-engineered' to the point that they don't wear at speeds of up to 45 km/h but will do so above that.

In the light of the success of the Renault/Dacia Logan and its gradual introduction into some western Europe markets, it could be that the 'no frills' concept might make a comeback in some forms.

Who knows, the Renault 4L theme may resurrect? BB

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