Showcased at the 81st Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, the Tata Pixel, a new city car concept for Europe with ‘Zero Turn‘ drive and an innovative diamond-shaped door system, is on display at the Auto Expo 2012.
Based on the Tata Nano, the Pixel – at just over three metres in length – is the most package-efficient 4-seater in the world, comfortably accommodating four adults, unlike a typical city car which is either a two-seater or can accommodate two adults and two children only.
The Tata Pixel’s ability to manoeuvre and park in the tightest of spaces is made possible by its Zero Turn toroidal traction-drive Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT).
This highly efficient, cost-effective system assists rotation of the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards during low-speed manoeuvres, while the front wheels turn at acute angles. The result is a turning circle radius of just 2.6 metres.
The ‘scissor’ doors rotate upwards from the front to allow all four passengers to effortlessly enter or exit the Tata Pixel, even in the tightest of spaces, while the doors’ large glass area provides excellent visibility. A forward sweeping roofline, with minimal front and rear overhangs, accentuates the youthful styling, while the window graphic features an interchangeable island that can be used to change the exterior appearance whenever desired.
The Tata Pixel also introduces ‘My Tata Connect’ — the first integrated human-machine interface (HMI) concept from Tata Motors for its new generation programmes. ‘My Tata Connect’ enables seamless integration of the user’s smartphone or tablet with the vehicle’s infotainment system and also allows controlling key functions of the car.
This provides a customised, user friendly, all-in-one touch screen display, while also allowing the driver to remain seamlessly connected to the external world. In addition to serving as the infotainment display when docked in the instrument panel, the tablet also allows temperature, ventilation and air-conditioning settings to be adjusted through its touch screen, as well as displaying information on the vehicle’s performance.
A 1.2 litre three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, positioned at the rear of the Tata Pixel, gives lively performance.
The engine is a low-friction design, featuring variable coolant and oil pump and rapid warm-up technologies. With optimised aerodynamic drag, low rolling-resistance tyres, stop-start technology, and intelligent battery charging, the Tata Pixel returns European combined cycle (NEDC) fuel economy of 3.4 l/100km and CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.
We can only hope Tata Motors will one day launch the Pixel in the Indian market.
