While our friends at CAR Magazine didn’t get to drive the new and upcoming Nano from Tata Motors, they did get to sit in the passenger-seat of the 33-hp four-door, 5-seater. 33-hp? You’re probably thinking that with that much power the Nano probably rides like… well like crap.

According to CAR, the car feels much like a proper car - even with four adults aboard. The 624cc 33-hp engine is pretty small but allows the Nano to go from 0 to 60 mph in a whopping 17 seconds while returning an outstanding fuel-economy figure of 60 mpg.

The $2,500 Tata Nano doesn’t offer much; air-conditioning, radio and alloy wheels will all be offered as upgrades. However, CAR says that the prototype they rode in was pretty much standard and offered a very comfortable ride. The Nano will be able to accommodate one six-footer seated behind another.

How safe is the Nano? Not very safe at all, although it will be safer than a bike or scooter which is the market Tata Motors is going after.

CAR says that Tata engineers are working on a range of upgrades including airbags, anti-lock brakes, power steering, a more powerful 3-cylinder gasoline and diesel engine, and a 5-speed automatic gearbox (it currently carries a 4-speed manual).

Source: CAR