Tata turns heads with Pixel concept

... but no supercar can turn on a dime like the Tata "Pixel" concept.

Shown at Geneva motor show, the Pixel is a 3m long city car based on the Tata Nano and has a unique, UK-invented "zero turn" drive system.

It allows the four-seater car to turn almost within its own length and makes a doddle of parking in congested European city streets - which is exactly where Tata is targeting the car.

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The steering agility is attributed to a new transmission from UK-based - but majority owned by Allison Transmission of the US - company Torotrak which has its technology on machinery including lawn mowers and industrial vehicles.

Torotrak's "infinitely variable transmission" has a spin-on-the-spot functionality which - at low vehicle speeds - controls each rear wheel independently. It allows the wheels to turn in opposite directions.

The result is a turning circle of 5.2m compared with most small cars at about 9m.

Tata Motors CEO, Carl-Peter Forster, says there is "an opportunity in Europe for a city car, which is optimal in space, manoeuvrability and environment-friendliness."

"The Tata Pixel is a reflection of Tata Motors - idea of what such a car should be."

But there's no conformation that the Pixel will become reality.

Tata, which also owns Jaguar Land Rover, has boasted that the Pixel is the world's most space-efficient four-seat car. It has features including scissor doors to make ease of entry and exit in tight spaces.
Power comes from a three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo-diesel that is mounted in the rear.

Tata claims an average fuel economy of 3.4 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.

The car also showcases "My Tata Connect" which integrates the owner's smartphone or iPad with the vehicle's infotainment system and also allows control of the car's key functions.

"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 much the same way as they would be when at home or in the office, listening to favourite songs, internet news and sport or stock updates," Tata says.

"In addition to serving as the infotainment display when docked in the instrument panel, the tablet also allows temperature, ventilation and airconditioning settings to be adjusted through its touch screen, as well as displaying information on the vehicle's performance."