mh_WRX
03-20-2006, 10:37 AM
Battle for World's Cheapest Car
A most unusual battle is raging in Asia for one of the most prestigious titles in modern motoring - world's cheapest car.
The Alif four-seater is made by Pakistani firm Transmission, and has just gone on sale costing the equivalent of $2,870. But it might not hold the crown for very long. An Indian firm is working on a rival that is known as the 100,000 Rupee car - which is just $2250.
While the Alif is not exactly the height of luxury it does have some excellent features. Seat belts are standard, there's a canvas roof and the spare wheel is mounted on the rear tailgate. It's just under three meters long and available in five colors. The single-cylinder 200cc four-stroke engine offers close to 80 mpg, but it's also available powered by natural gas.
The car is being promoted as an alternative to the traditional three-wheel rickshaws which are being phased out because they have inefficient two-stroke engines. Pickup truck and van versions are also available.
Its challenger for the world's cheapest car crown comes from well-known Indian company Tata. Codenamed Project X3, it's due for launch in 2008 and is expected to be powered by a 700cc, 45-hp petrol engine that will meet the latest European emissions laws. However, there's speculation that despite its low price, it won't be a big hit. Industry experts believe such a no-frills vehicle is unlikely to appeal to status-sensitive Indian buyers.
There's also skepticism about how vehicles such as the Alif and X3 can be made so cheaply. While they may meet the latest anti-pollution laws, safety experts believe there's so little in the way of crash protection that they can only be a hazard on the road
A most unusual battle is raging in Asia for one of the most prestigious titles in modern motoring - world's cheapest car.
The Alif four-seater is made by Pakistani firm Transmission, and has just gone on sale costing the equivalent of $2,870. But it might not hold the crown for very long. An Indian firm is working on a rival that is known as the 100,000 Rupee car - which is just $2250.
While the Alif is not exactly the height of luxury it does have some excellent features. Seat belts are standard, there's a canvas roof and the spare wheel is mounted on the rear tailgate. It's just under three meters long and available in five colors. The single-cylinder 200cc four-stroke engine offers close to 80 mpg, but it's also available powered by natural gas.
The car is being promoted as an alternative to the traditional three-wheel rickshaws which are being phased out because they have inefficient two-stroke engines. Pickup truck and van versions are also available.
Its challenger for the world's cheapest car crown comes from well-known Indian company Tata. Codenamed Project X3, it's due for launch in 2008 and is expected to be powered by a 700cc, 45-hp petrol engine that will meet the latest European emissions laws. However, there's speculation that despite its low price, it won't be a big hit. Industry experts believe such a no-frills vehicle is unlikely to appeal to status-sensitive Indian buyers.
There's also skepticism about how vehicles such as the Alif and X3 can be made so cheaply. While they may meet the latest anti-pollution laws, safety experts believe there's so little in the way of crash protection that they can only be a hazard on the road