Microcar War
Sep 17th, 2010 by Zheng (Kathy) Li
The automobile industries have always been very competitive. Always getting the best and newest technologies, the best models, and now, the most eco-friendly. Companies began producing microcars.
Let’s compare three of these microcars. The Tata Nano, Smart Car, and Toyota iQ.
What’s the difference?
I’d say that the Nano not only saves people a whole lot of money, but its build isn’t half bad either. Out of all the three, it has the best fuel efficiency (over 55 mpg-US) and battery range (up to 80 miles). The iQ is almost as good in fuel efficiency, but neither the iQ nor the Smart Car could compete with the battery range. For 2,500 in India? That’s amazing.
Not much to say about the Smart Car. Pricey for its size, although the tiny engine, ranging from 0.6L petrol, is really something.
Toyota iQ. Beautiful. Its engine isn’t noticeably small like the Smart Car, and it’s not cheap like the Nano, but what’s the use without safety? The Nano needed heavy upgrades to meet the European safety standards, and the Smart Car received ratings such as “acceptable.” iQ’s crash testing was a score of five stars.
Now, which would you pick?
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Nano: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Nano
Smart Car: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_ED