24 March,2009 07:56 AM IST | | Chetan R
The answer is yes. An American company plans to launch the next 'big' small car, theu00a0 Rhino
If you think it couldn't get smaller or cheaper than the Nano, you're in for a big surprise.
The Rhino, which is expected to cost half the price of a Nano, will hit the roads next year.
Narasimharaju, the engineer who designed the car, said, "An American firm has approached me, and we have applied for the patent. The company wants to take the project forward now and decisions are expected shortly."
The company is waiting to finalise talks with the manufacturers, after which production will begin.u00a0 "We hope the car will be on roads early next year," added Narasimharaju.
The 'big' small car
The Rhino is a top-open door car, designed to be rid of the extra space required to open doors in a congested city.
The four-stroke 175 cc engineu00a0 in Rhino delivers 60 km/hr against Nano's speed of 120km/hr with 623 cc engine.
The total weight of the car is 150 kg, with a metal body, whereas a Nano weighs about 580 kg.
The Rhino is expected to deliver a mileage of 25 km a litre, while Nano promises 20 km a litre.
The best part is the price: the Rhino may cost just about Rs 50,000.u00a0 The Nano would be available at Rs 1,25,000, with taxes.
