tata: pixel at geneva motor show 2011
‘pixel’, by tata motors
exhibited at geneva motor show 2011, the supercompact 4-seater ‘pixel‘ by tata motors is optimized for everyday urban use, offering high fuel efficiency, ‘zero turn’ technology for minimal turning radius, built-in integration with tablets and smartphones, and innovative door design.
3/4 front view
3/4 back view
measuring three meters (9.8 feet) long, the highly efficient ‘pixel’ combines a 1.2L three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with stop-start technology and an aerodynamic design to offer a combined cycle fuel economy of 3.4 L/100 km (69mpg), and producing carbon emissions limited to 89 g/km (0.3 lb/mi).
‘zero turn’ technology makes use of the vehicle’s toroidal infinitely variable transmission to rotate the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards as the front wheels turn, producing a turning circle radius of 2.6 meters (8.5 feet).
interior view
the company’s ‘my tata connect’ interface integrates the user’s smartphone or tablet into the vehicle control system, so that the opening or locking of doors, management of temperature, retrieval of performance information for the car, and access to music or infotainment is all accomplished on the device, permitting easy integration of functionality in and outside of the car. an example demo of ‘my tata connect’ is previewable on the vehicle website, while the interface’s proposed ‘multi mode’ display combines dashboard, GPS, and other functionality on a single panel.
tata does not yet state specifically what system may be available, perhaps as an add-on purchase, for users who do not already own these kinds of devices.
left: front view with doors raised right: back view
the city car features ‘scissor’ doors that swing up rather than outwards, to provide easy access to the interior in even tight parking environments.
an interchangeable panel along the base of the side windows is produced in a range of colours and patterns, permitting the look of the car to be easily changed.
concept sketches, of the dashboard panel (left) and car exterior (right)
concept sketch of the wheels, whose distinct drive trains integrate with infinitely variable transmission to be operated independently of one another
concept sketches of the seats and interior configuration
tata’s press video depicts the use of ‘my tata connect’ and demonstrates the ‘zero turn technology’ (1:17) and the car’s turn radius (1:54)
tour of the car’s exterior at geneva motor show 2011
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If this is the future I’m glad I’m in it.
I want 2 to park in my drive just so that someone can say to me: “nice Tatas”
Concept wise it is nice. Futuristic but not too eccentric. Cute but not TOO cute 🙂 specially when the door is upright it looks like a robot bunny 🙂
But for everyday use, I think that door will have a problem. Example, it is raining hard and you need to get out with your groceries on one hand and umbrella on the other, that would be a problem. Normal doors you can push it open, then kick it to close.
At first, I was thinking the same thing about the doors in car garages. On the other hand, in what I have seen of Europe, I see many many fewer multistory garages than I have seen in the states; street parking is much more common, in which case not having to worry about the doors opening out becomes a huge advantage. So in fact the design difference might represent a choice specifically geared to the car’s target market.
Agreed. I don’t like the doors going up. That’s wrong.
EMEI has spotted the same enormous whopper of a design flaw that I noticed. How do I get out of it in a multi-storey car park? Or in my garage? And in high winds would the doors either help blow the car over (as can happen with high-sided vehicles and roofed motorcycles) or just break the hinges due to the massive force of leverage applied to them?
BMW’s Mini Rocketman has a far better and more original solution to small footprint car doors.
Absolutely beautiful design ! But will the doors be able to swing up to full open position in low-roofed parking garages i wonder …….
The ‘future’ is adorable.