Tata Motors unveils Megapixel concept

Remember the Tata Pixel that was unveiled at last year's Geneva Motor Show?

Well, Tata Motors has now unveiled a four-door version of the Pixel (which was a two-door) - this one, rather obviously called the Megapixel.

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Tata Motors, a regular at the Geneva Motor Show, has shown several concepts that have eventually turned into production realities.

At the 2005 Geneva show, Tata had showcased the Xover concept which has translated to the Aria in production.

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And in 2007, the Elegante concept transformed into the production Manza.

Similarly, the manufacturer has, over the years, made strong indications towards bringing the Nano to Europe and the Pixel range may just be the next-generation Nano for the continent.

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The Tata Megapixel comes powered by four electric motors, each of which is hub-mounted, thus transmitting power to the wheels.

These motors are powered by a 13 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack that allows the Megapixel to travel for 87 km on a full charge.

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When the car is 'fast-charged' for just 30 minutes, it still manages to reach 80 per cent of charging capacity.

The batteries can be recharged by an induction plate at the bottom of the car.

When charge runs out, an auxiliary engine comes to the rescue. This is a 325cc single cylinder petrol engine that makes 30 bhp.

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The Megapixel is capable of a top-speed of 110 kph.

Its dimensions are akin to cars like the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R and the Hyundai i10, hinting at the possibility of the Nano moving up the value chain in the future for international markets.

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The Megapixel's CO2 rating of 22g per km is one of the lowest for a car.

The four floating seats of the Megapixel can be accessed through the four sliding doors.

The front doors slide out to the front of the car, while the rear doors slide to the rear.

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Tata has stated that the Megapixel follows the India Global design philosophy that also indicates the future design direction Tata Motors products could take.

Prakash M Telang, managing director - India operations, Tata Motors said "The Tata Megapixel, developed by our design centres in India, the UK and Italy, is our idea of a city car for discerning motorists in any megacity of the world."

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Also at the Geneva Motor Show were other significant concepts like the Volkswagen Cross Coupe that features a diesel hybrid powertrain.

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Based on the Modular Transverse Matrix or MQB platform, it will spawn all kinds of cars, from the next-generation Polo to the Passat and Volkswagen hopes to save significantly on platform development in the process.

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The first car from the MQB platform to be sold in India would be the Audi A3 sedan; the hatchback variant of the A3 was also previewed at the show.

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India would receive a sedan version in 2014 and might end up being the cheapest Audi on sale in India, even cheaper than the Q3 compact SUV that will hit showrooms by mid-2012.

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Another Volkswagen group company, Bentley, previewed the EXP9 concept which hints at a super SUV segment, above the likes of the Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne.

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It is aimed at the growing affluence of markets like China, India and the Middle-East and is likely to go into production by 2015.

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Ssangyong, Mahindra & Mahindra's subsidiary, meanwhile confirmed that the Rexton SUV will go on sale in India by mid-2012.

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A facelifted version of the Hyundai i20 also graced the Hyundai pavilion and is expected to go on sale in India shortly.