The Tata Aria, first shown as a concept at the 75th Geneva Motor Show in 2005, blends the functionality and comfort of a mid-range multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) with the all terrain assurance and premiumness of an SUV.

Its unique design and construction ensures that it is as robust as it is elegant and comfortable. The dynamic exteriors bear a distinctive lunging silhouette complemented by a unique A-pillar sweep and a well planted stance. Wrap-around dual barreled headlamps enhance the signature Tata grill, while the chrome underlining the glasshouse creates a distinctive kinetic beltline.

Its 2.2 Litre Direct Injection Common Rail (DICOR) diesel engine, delivering 140 PS power and 320 Nm torque, is mated, in the 4×4 option, with an all-wheel drive with torque on demand, which senses and distributes torque to the wheels in accordance with the terrain. Dual mass flywheel reduces NVH to the bare minimum level.

Unlike MPVs or SUVs, passengers can simply walk into the Tata Aria, rather than climbing up or getting down into the compartment. Once seated, one is wrapped in a luxurious world of premium features comprising 3d surround sound, dimming roof lamps, in-dash built in GPS with a state-of-the-art infotainment system, multifunctional steering wheel, dual air conditioning with automatic climate control and cruise control. The plush and spacious interiors come with three rows of theatre style seating. The second row slides and inclines, and the third row can fold flat along with the second to yield a large storage area.

The Tata Aria has established new benchmarks in safety. It boasts of top-of-the-line features like 6 airbags and ESP, offered by an Indian OEM for the first time. A chassis frame, constructed with advanced hydro formed members, coupled with a stiffened body cage, dual zone collapsible steering and airbags make the Tata Aria one of the safest vehicles in an exigency. It meets EEC safety regulations, which includes full frontal crash, offset crash and the side pole tests.

The Tata Nano continues to take India by storm, and residents of the world’s second most populous country appear to have gone over the deep end in an effort to secure their own personal ‘people’s car.’ Australian website Drive is reporting that car buyers are paying a markup of up to 30% to purchase secondhand Nanos from the initial batch of buyers. The pent-up demand for the Nano stems in part from the fact that far more people signed up to purchase the econobox than Tata Motors has the factory capacity to build. To distribute the initial Nano allotment fairly, Tata instituted a lottery system to choose the first 100,000customers eligible to buy the $2,500 city car.

One would think that the source of this heavy demand comes from families looking to secure a still inexpensive car, but a Mumbai car salesman seems to think it has more to do with an odd ‘fetish’ for the car. Arif Fazulbhoy reportedly told Drive that the wealthy of India are paying over sticker to get their hands on the Nano because it has become a hot and trendy status symbol, adding ‘They tend to be very rich people who want the Nano for the snob value because it’s new in the market.’ The Nano model fetching the highest premium on the open market is the XL, which has features like air conditioning and central locking.

While it’s too bad that the ‘people’s car’ is being picked up mainly by India’s elite, at least the lower middle class is reaping the profits from the quirky little vehicle’s healthy demand. There will likely be more opportunity to profit from the Nano over the next couple years as well, as the initial allotment of 100,000 units could take until the end of 2010 to get delivered – and there are over 200,000 customers waiting in the queue.

(Via AutoBlog.)