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Link to main News story here.

Link to test results here.

The tests that Tata Motors has put the Nano through at MIRA are designed to demonstrate that the car, a low-cost vehicle aimed specifically at the Indian market, is nevertheless within the mainstream of vehicle development worldwide.

Tata wants to introduce a European version of the Nano by 2012 and has plans too to export the cars to other regions, including North America. It has also been stung by criticism that the basic vehicle does not meet safety standards – Indian standards are less demanding than European, but are planned to catch up.

In fact, the base Nano meets current Indian regulations and the tests at MIRA were devised to show that small lineside modifications would mean that the vehicle would meet present base standards in Europe, which are to become the Indian baseline standards in 2012.

Further modification, including lengthening and widening the vehicle, plus fitting airbags and other equipment, will be done before the car is put through a EuroNCAP-style test for the European market.

The structural tests done at MIRA were of two kinds:

• 50 km/h side impact test. Click here for a PDF of what this test involves.

• 56 km/h offset frontal crash test, with the car hitting a deformable object at a 40% point on the front (driver side). Click here for a PDF of what this test involves.

The tests are the baseline for structural safety type approval in Eutrope at present and are due to become the baseline in India in 2012. Consumer pressure, rather than legislative requirement, means that cars actually sold in Europe undergo the more rigorous tests of EuroNCAP, with its stars ratings, and Tata intends that any Nano developed for the European market will satisfy these requirements.

The cars that went through the tests last week were modified on the line at the Nano's temporary manufacturing base in India. Four areas within the car were strengthened: structural foam was added to the cant rail; the front longitudinal structure is reinforced; structure is added to the front behind the bumper and on the firewall; and structure is added to the front doors.

A driver's airbag was included for the tests, but this was not fully calibrated and was triggered remotely.

Later cars developed for European markets will have features such as airbags as standard. Other modifications will add around 150mm to the length of the vehicle, plus some width to accommodate side airbags. There will also be changes to interior trim and the small skinny wheels are likely to be upgraded.

Main article here

Link to test results here

Video of front crash here

Picture gallery here