India: All Aboard the Tata Magic Bus

[Intrepidation]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=121707

PUNE, India — On the way to the launch of two ultra-cheap people's cars, Tata Motors addresses popular needs by launching two new minibuses to help with rural needs for public transportation. The new products are called the Magic and the Winger.

Ratan Tata, the visionary chairman of Tata Motors, aims to change the face of Indian transportation. In 2005 he turned the light-commercial-vehicle sector upside-down with the four-wheeler Ace pickup truck. The Ace had all the abilities of popular, motorcycle-derived three-wheelers but with one extra wheel and other amenities. It was so clearly the right product for its audience that Tata can barely keep up with demand for the truck.

The Magic minibus is intended to do the same for minivan needs on the subcontinent. It may not be the ultimate word in luxury, but the new Magic is way more modern than any similar offerings in India. It can seat up to seven people, and its 700cc 16-horsepower engine is sturdy and easy to maintain.

The other minibus is one class bigger. Called the Winger, it's a derivative of the first Renault Trafic, which was in production in Europe until 2001 but was kept in production in Malaysia until 2003. It is a 9-to-13-seat minibus with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine. It will pose a threat to used Japanese minivans and to the Hindustan RTV, a locally made robust commuter vehicle.

What this means to you: It is not always the fastest or most sophisticated vehicle that strikes at a deep need in the marketplace.

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Can't...stop...laughing... :rotflmao:

Edited July 15, 2007 by Dodgefan

[Oracle of Delphi]

That's a very handsome vehicle!

[Sixty8panther]

That $h!'s RUGGED, look at that SOLID front axle.

[NOS2006]

Oooh, Magic Tatas! haha We won't have to worry about the Indians entering our auto market anytime soon...

[Intrepidation]

Does it even have suspension?

"Deluxe models come equipped with the latest in minimum wage technology...these include the optional dynamic leaf spring package. Thusly equipped, the Magic $h!box bus will deliver a smooth compliant ride at speeds up to 22.3 mph, and at the same time be able to absorb all of the bumps, debris, road kill, and the occasional pedestrian with the greatest of easy."

Car and Driver who recently had the opportunity to test preproduction models, proclaims, "With the optional suspension package (read: suspension is optional) we were able to drive in reasonable comfort over the terrain...the ride was so much more compliant that we had a chance to notice how awful these milk crates that pass for seats really are."

They go on to report...

"This thing has all the dynamic finesse of a shopping cart with a lawn mower engine attached to it."

[aaaantoine]

I like that it has curtains in lieu of normal windows. I was gonna comment on how it would have been easier to just put in air conditioning, until I noticed the size and power of the engine.

[ZL-1]

I like that it has curtains in lieu of normal windows.

if you put a bunch of bags full of air instead of the curtains, would it have side curtain airbags? :spin:

[regfootball]

i hear they have some nice tatas.

[thegriffon]

Bear in mind that in India a motor scooter is considered an automobile.

[CARBIZ]

Are those window shades power, or are they manual?

[Robert Hall]

No wonder the Corolla and Camry are the cars of choice of H1-Bs when they come to the US.... they are 1000% better than what they had back home..