Tata Pixel presented at Geneva

Indian car manufacturers Tata have unveiled a new city car concept at the 81st Geneva Motor Show called the Pixel.

At slightly over three meters in length, Tata claim that the Pixel is the “most package efficient four-seater in the world” and can seat four adults comfortably unlike most city cars.

However the Pixel’s real party piece is its ability to manoeuvre through the tightest of spaces thanks to a 2.6 meter turning circle, which is smaller than the actual vehicle itself. This is achieved through what Tata calls “Zero Turn toroidal traction-drive Infinitely Variable Transmission” or IVT.This drivetrain enhances the outer rear wheel’s forward rotation and the inner rear wheel’s backward rotation while turning the front wheels at acute angles. The result is the ability to park almost anywhere as entry and exit are further assisted by the Pixel’s upward rotating ‘scissor’ doors.

Only one choice of engine is available with the Pixel, a 1.2 litre three-cylinder turbocharged diesel. Stop-start technology and intelligent battery charging allow a claimed combinedfuel economy of 3.4 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 89g/km. Performance figures have not yet been released.

Also featured in the Pixel is an integrated human-machine interface which Tata is calling 'My Tata Connect'. This allows the driver to connect their smartphone or tablet to the car and create an all-in-one infotainment system. All of the vehicles key functions including audio and climate settingscan then be controlled with a simple touch-screen interface which will also provide access to vehicle information and the internet.  

Speaking of the vehicles European target market, Tata Managing Director and Group CEOCarl-Peter Forster said “Tata Motors holds true to its belief that there is an opportunity in Europe for a city car, which is optimal in space, manoeuvrability and environment-friendliness.”

Tata are yet to reveal if it has been planned for the Pixel concept to go into production.