Tata Nano stops at Judson en route to Detroit

Judson University will host a one-time preview of the Tata Nano from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at the Harm A. Weber Academic Center, 1151 N. State St., Elgin. The event is free.

This one-time preview has been made possible by Tata Technologies. The company's chief marketing officer, Kevin Noe, is a 1979 graduate of Judson and trustee of the school.

Tata Technologies, with regional headquarters in Novi, Mich., played a key role in engineering the Nano, which is produced by Tata Motors in India.

The Tata Nano comes to Judson University for this preview as it travels to Detroit, where it will be featured at private event hosted by Tata Technologies. The event themed "Better Technologies" will be at the Detroit Science Center. It will showcase the Tata Nano's engineering and design capabilities to the auto industry customer and guests.

"We're honored to have the opportunity to showcase the Tata Nano's innovative design and engineering at Judson University's Harm A. Weber Academic Center, a Gold LEED Certified building," says Judson University President Jerry Cain. "The commitment to innovative and sustainable design and manufacturing are key values we live by and teach in our School of Art, Design and Architecture."

The Tata Nano was introduced at the Delhi Auto Show in January 2009 and retails for about $2,500 in India. The model on display at Judson and in Detroit is owned by Tata Technologies and is on loan from its Center for Advanced Engineering and Design in Pune, India. Features of the Tata Nano include:

• Value centric engineering and lean manufacturing processes have led to the Nano being the world's most affordable automobile.

• Four-door, four-passenger vehicle having a 624cc/27 hp rear engine with front wheel drive; dimensions of 3.1 meters, width of 1.5 meters, height of 1.6 meters and a 4-meter turn radius.

• First time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with a single balancer shaft.

• Tailpipe emission performance that exceeds regulatory requirements and has lower pollution level than two-wheelers being manufactured in India today.

• Recipient of the Frost & Sullivan 2009 Innovation Award.