Tata's stunning new concept car, Pixel

Tata Motors on Tuesday presented the TataPixel, a new city car concept for Europe at the 81st Geneva Motor Show.

Based on the Tata Nano, the TataPixel - at just over three metres in length - is the most package efficient four-seater in the world, comfortably accommodating four adults, unlike a typical city concept which is either a two-seater or can accommodate two adults and two children only.

Speaking on the occasion, Carl-Peter Forster, managing director and group CEO of Tata Motors, said, "Tata Motors holds true to its belief that there is an opportunity in Europe for a city car, which is optimal in space, manoeuverability and environment friendliness.

The Tata Pixel is a reflection of Tata Motors' idea of what such a car should be."

The Tata Pixel's ability to manoeuvre and park in the tightest of spaces is made possible by its zero-turn toroidal traction-drive Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT), which assists rotation of the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards, while the front wheels turn at acute angles.

The result is a turning circle radius of just 2.6 metres.

The 'scissor' doors rotate upwards from the front to allow passengers to effortlessly enter or exit the Tata Pixel, even in the tightest of spaces.

A forward sweeping roofline, with minimal front and rear overhangs, accentuates the youthful styling.

The TataPixel is also designed to provide a high level of connectivity.

Key functions are controlled by the driver's smart phone, running 'My Tata Connect' - the first integrated human-machine interface (HMI) concept from Tata Motors.

A 1.2 litre three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, positioned at the rear of the Tata Pixel, gives lively performance.

The engine is a low-friction design, featuring variable coolant and oil pump and rapid warm-up technologies.

With optimised aerodynamic drag, low rolling-resistance tyres, stop-start technology, and intelligent battery charging, the Tata Pixel returns European combined cycle (NEDC) fuel economy of 3.4 l/100km and CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.

Taking its pursuit of electric vehicles forward, Tata Motors is also displaying the Tata Indica Vista electric vehicle at the Motor Show's Green Pavillion.

The Tata Indica Vista EV will be made available to fleet customers this summer in the UK.

The four-seater family car has a predicted range of up to 160 km.

The Tata Indica Vista EV bagged two trophies for its performance at the Royal Automobile Club's Brighton-to-London Future Car Challenge.

A special version, the Tata Indica Vista EVX, participated in the progressive insurance automotive X Prize contest, one of the world's most prestigious events for environment-friendly vehicles.

The company's displays also include the Tata Aria, the first Indian four-wheel drive crossover, which was launched in India recently to rave reviews, the Tata Indigo Manza, among India's best selling sedans scheduled for launch this year in select countries, and the Tata Indica Vista, a top selling hatch already launched in select geographies.

In Europe, the Indica Vista has already been introduced in Poland and Italy, and is planned for launch in Spain.

The Tata Aria too will be launched, further enhancing the company's portfolio in these markets.