Ratan Tata drove in the Nano, the much awaited Rs 100,000 ($2,500) "people's car", into the podium in Tata Motor's pavilion at the Auto Expo 2008 in New Delhi, heralding the launch of the world's cheapest car. The Nano is here. Ratan Tata seems to have achieved the feat of showcasing to the world a one-lakh rupee car that meets the specs of an international affordable peoples' car. The small beauty claims to meet all the current safety requirements of a modern day car and has pollution levels that are even less than those of a two-wheeler.

But Nano will have to shake off the ‘one-lakh rupee’ tag as the on-road prices will also include VAT, transportation, insurance and road tax component. So, the on-road price may actually go much beyond one lakh. The 33-horsepower, 624-cc Nano will come at a dealer price of Rs 100,000 ($2500). This, despite rise in the price of inputs such as steel since the project was started four years ago, Tata said at the launch. "A promise is a promise”. Tata also said that Nano fully meets safety and emission standards. The car has passed the full frontal crash test and meets Euro-IV emission norms, he added.

Tata said, alluding to the environmental activists' concerns on the car's adverse impact on the environment. "The vehicle can accommodate four-five people,". Absolute chaos marked the launch of the car, with at least 1,000 members of the media corps struggling to gain entry into Tata Motor's pavilion. Nano, which at Rs 100,000 will cost less than a branded DVD player of a BMW or a Mercedes, will be available to customers later in the year.

The car will be manufactured at the company's Singur facility in West Bengal. The launch is a part of the group's plans to showcase as many as 17 models of cars, utility vehicles, trucks and busses, Tata officials said. Meanwhile, a Tata Motors press release said that the People's Car has been designed with a family in mind. It has a length of 3.1 metres, a width of 1.5 metres and a height of 1.6 metres. When launched, the car will be available in both standard and deluxe versions.

The statement also added that the car has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi-point fuel injection petrol engine. "This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft," it said. "The lean design strategy has helped minimise weight, which helps maximise performance per unit of energy consumed and delivers high fuel efficiency. Performance is controlled by a specially designed electronic engine management system." The car reportedly gives a mileage of 23 km per litre of petrol.

For more details on Tata's Rs 1 lakh ($2500) Nano! See it to believe it visit www.halfvalue.com  and www.halfvalue.co.uk For more information on books visit www.Lookbookstores.com