Tata is still testing the Nano Twist Active with a functional boot lid that was shown as a pre-production concept at the 2014 Auto Expo. A test mule was spotted testing again in Maharashtra.
This prototype also shows a latch on the boot lid and the camouflage hints that it is the new facelifted Nano. The openable boot lid is a feature which is not present on the Nano on sale. The luggage area needs to be accessed by folding down the rear seat. With the addition of this new feature in the Twist Active, the customers will be provided with the convenience of access to the luggage from outside.
This facelifted Nano will get redesigned bumpers, smoked headlamp clusters and tweaked airdams. There will be changes to the interior as well, which will include a new three-spoke steering wheel and better quality inserts for the center console.
The new model will be powered by the same 624cc twin-cylinder petrol motor that produces 38bhp of power and 51Nm of torque. This engine comes mated to a four-speed manual transmission and power is sent to the rear wheels. There are speculations that one of the Twist Active variants would use the four-speed manual transmission, while another variant named as the Twist F-Tronic will feature a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT).
The Nano Twist Active essentially combines the power steering feature of the Nano Twist with the convenience of the openable boot lid. The Twist Active and Twist F-Tronic are two Nano models that might be introduced to the Indian market in a couple of months. Tata Motors aims to reposition the Nano as a smart entry-level city car. Hopefully, these new cosmetic revisions with increased functionality should help boost sales of the slow selling Nano for the manufacturer.