No, the Tatas haven't joined hands with Volkswagen, but Caparo Engineering, the makers of the T1 – arguably the world's fastest, but without doubt the most extreme road-legal car – will contribute towards the Nano's production.
Specific inner body panels will be pressed and assembled by Caparo in a facility in Singur that is adjacent to the Nano's manufacturing facility. Caparo is already a supplier for other Indian automotive manufacturers like Ashok Leyland, JCB, Hero Honda, and interestingly, Maruti Suzuki. Caparo Vehicle Products specialises in precision-formed and light-weight metal products, including stampings, forgings, machinings, aluminium castings and tubing as well as a wide range of complementary products and services such as carbon composites, fasteners and module build. The T1 is a demonstration of their ability to back their vision, which is lighter cars for fewer emissions and more kilometers to the litre.
We, for one, can't help but imagine a carbonfibre Nano with lightweight magnesium-alloy wheels. Wonder how much a turbo weighs…
