Hello everyone! Y'all may have seen the videos on my 2017 Nano GenX XT. “He” has been a gem of a companion for all of my trips and travels. Fuel costs have been just around? 1600 per month. Mind you he has run more than 33,000kms now without any squeaks or rattles.

Here's my initial 21,000km review of my stock Gen X Nano from 2019:

After running purely in stock condition for 3 years, in 2020 I decided to get my Nano modified to my unique taste. The lockdown meant that I had a

Buckle up for the journey folks!

I have always been fascinated by the Megapixel concept by Tata motors. Tata was planning an improved “Pelican” (1000cc engine) version of the Nano based on this concept. The GenX was a preview of this model and sported a lot of design elements seen on this concept. So I started to plan on my modifications phase by phase.

First, I bought a red Nano scale model and worked on the body decals. I previously had tried doing Photoshop renderings which looked rather good and made me seriously think of implementing this project. Since the Gen X design was already 70% based on the Megapixel concept, I decided to complete the look.

Phase 1:

• 90/100 Osram headlamp bulbs

• VW type trumpet horn (Hella)

• White LED cabin light

• Seat covers with improved driver seat comfort

• Interior ambient red lighting.

I thought I’d start with the essentials first. After some research, I got to know about the Nano zone, a rather small car modification shop near Lakshmi Mills in Coimbatore. So after enquiring details, I first got the horn and headlamps done. He suggested Osram 90/100 H4 bulbs and Hella trumpet (VW type) horn. Both were fitted with separate relays and the work was done by his boys up to good perfection. So after a few days, I left the car with him for 2 days to get the seat covers and ambient lighting done. I had thought of a custom design for the seat cover keeping in mind the interior theme colors and asked him to get it done. As the driver seat was not providing enough support for my long thighs, I thought of extending the seat base as well. He said it can be easily done, and yes indeed! Everything was done to superb perfection and the workmanship was great. Some extra foam had to be designed to extend the base, that’s all. All this was done for just around? 8750. Till date, the seat is very comfortable and can keep me fatigue-free on any long drive. Satisfied with the work, I started planning the next major works.

I have detailed the first phase of modifications in my Nano’s second 30,000km update review on our Youtube channel.

Phase 2:

           As I was already planning for the Megapixel mods since the start of this year, I came across a few Nano images in Sri Lanka, which was running on 13” alloys from the Renault Kwid. So I too decided to get it done. However since I didn’t have the budget for alloys, I was trying to source some used Steel rims of the Kwid. Sadly, no luck. I tried asking the service centers but they too didn’t have 5 rims. At that time in February, a good friend helped me out in sourcing 5 Steel rims in Chennai.

         In the month of June, I had ordered a rear fog lamp assembly unit for my Nano from Boodmo. All GenX Nanos have this empty slot on the rear bumper which would perfectly fit the OEM rear fog lamp offered on the Zest, Nexon, Altroz, and even the original Nano LX. Did it cost me just around? 500 was a perfect fit in that slot. I asked the Nano Zone guys to make it work in tandem with the brake lights. Till date, it works perfectly.

Upgrading wheels:

           The wheels were received on 22nd June by paying a transport charge of? 500. Meanwhile, I had enquired about the cheap and best tire brands for 13-inch wheels, shortlisting CEAT, and Firestone. Did Firestone seem the cheapest? 2600 per tire whereas a CEAT would cost? 2750. After considering the fact that Firestone indeed was owned by Bridgestone and is the OEM tire offered on the Jeep compass, I decided to go ahead with it. However, after a couple of days when I went to get the new wheels fitted, Firestone was out of stock. I had to go ahead with CEAT, with a bargain of? 2700 per tire.

           The larger wheels and 155/65 R13 tires were a perfect fit on the hubs. However, I had to remove the front mud flaps as they were rubbing on the tires every time I turned the wheel. Since there were only 4 tires in stock, I had to return a couple of days later for the spare tire. Every Nano owner, including the Nano Zone shop owner, warned me that the 13” tire wound never fit in the small bonnet of the Nano. However, it was an easy cakewalk. The new spare tire was fitted to the new wheel and in no time was inside the bonnet of the Nano. The old tires were almost worn out and were given as exchange for? 700 only.

Fitting these larger wheels drastically improved the feel of the Nano. Here are the observations after a few days running:

• Road noise is non-existent

• Ground clearance increased by 15mm approx

• Grip is excellent

• Braking feels improved, although needs slightly more effort.

• Ride quality significantly improved

• Feels confident at higher speeds

On the flip side, there were a few down points:

• Increased body roll

• Front mud flaps can’t be fitted

• Fuel economy reduced by approx 0.2kmpl

• Speedo error of -3kmph

Overall, I was happy with the modification and so was my mother. I sold and couriered the stock 12” rims and wheel covers to another Nano owner in Bangalore for? 3550 including shipping. (The courier service idea was a mistake as the transport charge itself was 70% of the total cost of the wheels) The next thing the Nano needed was good looking wheel covers. However, I wasn’t able to find the right design suitable for my future modifications.

        I asked the Nano Zone owner to help get the right design. One of the available designs from PRIGAN seemed to impress me. Though it was a plain design, it seemed ideal for the re-design I had in mind. So I started working on a custom design based on the plain one. 

This was the custom redesign I had rendered.

Since repainting was not a good idea on the plastic surface as suggested by the Nano Zone owner, I asked him to do it using stickers. Gloss black and red reflectors were used to create this design and after a couple of days, on the 1st of July I got them ready my Nano was ready to cruise.

These custom wheel covers cost me? 1000. Impressive?

I also got the Probus mobile holder for Rs.650 from Amazon and did some DIY to get that stuck on the steering column panel. It doesn’t hamper road visibility and also works like a jugaad version of the Digital cluster navigation screens seen on premium cars.

Phase 3:

      I was planning on a few exterior modifications:

• LED DRLs with 3 way switch

• Black roof and door sills

• Megapixel front makeover

• Dashboard leather wrap

• Flip key

I don’t prefer overtly flashy modifications, however, I wanted to have unique looking LEDs.

With black roofs being the trend, I wanted to get that done as well along with black on the running board door sills. 

I was never a big fan of the thin French mustache of the stock Gen X, so decided to give it a larger, grille-like cohesive look as seen on the Megapixel concept.

A Nano club member had wrapped the gloveboxes in tan leather. I loved the idea and wanted to get something done on my Nano, but in line with the interior color theme. I decided to get red and black again.

I still had the stock key with the separate central locking buttons dangling on the rings. I wanted the keys to match the modifications carried out. So decided to get flip keys similar to other Tata cars.

         On 10th August I decided to get the LEDs done. Initially, I had planned the LEDs in the lines of the Nano Europa concept, but that seemed too simple. So after a lot of head-scratching, based on the suggestion of Mr. Nano Zone, I finalized this Feline-eye design. Nano Zone has some good quality options of flexible LED DRLs and the Cyan Blue seemed very cool and unique to me. So finalized on that.

I wanted these LEDs and the ambient red lighting to be connected to a 3-way switch:

1. The first point will keep them always ON irrespective of locking the car.

2. The second point is the total OFF position.

3. The third point is connected to the Nano’s central locking and doors and they work like follow me lights. Unlocking the car/opening the door turns them on and locking the car/starting the engine turns them off. Since they are connected to the interior cabin lamp, they too have a theatre dimming function which looks absolutely cool! I loved it!

The work quality and fitment were genuine and the end result was simply WOW! No matter where we go, they make a statement and turn heads. Here are some glimpses:

     The next thing in line was the black detailing. I left the car with them the whole day of 13th August and took delivery in the evening. The work was again impressive and the Nano started to look more mature and sporty.

     The gloveboxes and the speakers had to be removed from the dashboard to get the wrapping done.  So had to drive without music and storage boxes for 2 days. On the final day when the boxes were ready, I decided to get the flip keys done. Left the car with them on the 20th morning and got the keys done by evening. Since the gloveboxes needed a bit more time, I got them fitted the next day afternoon. Though there is a bit of misalignment with the stitching line of the wrap and the gloveboxes take a bit more effort than before to open and close, the overall look is very premium and modern. Additionally, I also got noodle mats for the floor.

All this cost me a total? 7700 which is quite an impressive bargain.

After getting all these done, I made a teaser video of my Nano Megapixel edition for our channel and followers 

By the second week of September, I decided to finish the mods and left my Nano at Nano Zone. I had to be with them to direct them with the cutting and shaping since it was not an easy design, to begin with. The badges on the boot were removed and the work was started. The front and rear grille lights too were to be done. After 2 days of work with black and silver stickers, the Megapixel edition was ready. The Nano Zone guys were kind enough to do a full-body wash before polishing and handing over the key to me.

Here's the “angry Bulbasaur” face at night:

All these mods cost me? 36,250 starting with the headlamps, horn, and completing with the body stickering.

Here is the detailed video on my “Tata Nano Megapixel edition”. I have covered all accessory details and drive feedback with the new 13” wheels:

As of now, I have also fit a center armrest for the front seats with a storage box. Due to the unusual size of my Nano's seats, the armrest had to be custom designed in order to fit perfectly. It is a removable unit and works perfectly well. Long drives will be even more relaxing than before!

As of today, my Nano has run around 33,700km and still going strong. Regarding service and repairs, I have spent just around? 6800 till date and hope the maintenance costs stay that way for years to come.

I am loving my Nano and living the Nano life, the Megapixel way!

Ford has introduced a new extended warranty scheme of upto 6 years or 1.5L kms in total for all Ford car owners in order to build a solid reputation among consumers. This scheme can be opted by owners of almost all Ford cars be it BS4 or BS6. However, cost and benefits differ from model to model. Ford India is also offering this scheme on its only CBU product muscle car, the Mustang in its BS4 guise. The Ford Endeavour facelift receives multiple offers covering a wide range. However, the offers are on the expensive side for the premium full-size

 Ford India has also introduced a unique warranty package called Any Time Warranty. Through this, customers can avail all benefits of an extended warranty even after lapse of Factory/Extended warranty. The package covers additional 20,000kms or 1 year, whichever is earlier over the standard warranty package. Vehicles that have completed the factory extended warranty and have an odometer reading less than 1,20,000 Kms are eligible to avail this scheme within 72 months from date of purchase of their car. This extended warranty is transferable to the resold owner as well. Prices may vary depending on the car, years and mileage.

Ford Motor Company has launched the new Ford Puma ST. This is the third model to join Ford’s ST performance line-up, following the Fiesta and the Focus. The Fiesta ST’s chassis has only received minor tweaks from its transition to the Puma’s crossover body. The rear torsion bar is 40 per cent stiffer to compensate for the extra weight and height.

Exterior:

The Puma is spruced up by the ST-specific styling pack. The front gets a new grille design with ST badging, while a splitter increases front downforce by 80 percent over the standard

Interior:

Inside, the Puma’s cabin also gets the ST treatment; including a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a sporty gear knob and pedals, along with Sporty Recaro front seats. However still, the ST’s boot retains the hose-down 80-litre ‘Mega Box’ from other Pumas, and the 456-litre volume is retained. 

All Puma STs get a generous standard equipment list:

• Wireless charging

• Front and rear parking sensors

• Quick clear heated windshield

• Rain sensing wipers

• Automatic LED headlamps

• 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster

• 8 inch Touchscreen system

• SYNC 3 connectivity

• Android auto, Apple carplay

• Bang & Olufsen sound system

• Ford pass connectivity

Safety Features:

   While the Puma crossover received a 5 star rating at the ANCAP crash tests, the new Puma ST includes the following advanced driver assist tech:

• Active braking assist

• Pre Collision assist

• Active park assist

• Cross traffic alert with active braking

• Intelligent speed limiter

• Local hazard information

• Geofencing & tracking

• 6 airbags

• ESC with traction control

• Torque vectoring control

Powertrain and Performance:

        Mechanically, the Puma ST is very closely related to the Fiesta ST. The 1.5-litre turbocharged Ecoboost engine is the same, though a revised exhaust system has been tuned to be ever so slightly more civilised. This engine produces a power output of 197bhp and 320Nm through a 6 speed manual gearbox to the front wheels. With launch control engaged, the Puma cracks the 0-62mph benchmark in 6.7 seconds – two tenths down on the Fiesta, while the 137mph top speed has dropped by 7mph.

        The Puma ST also offers multiple driving modes. ‘Sport’ sharpens the throttle and adds weight to the steering compared to ‘Normal’, and it opens up valves in the exhaust to provide a sportier soundtrack. Switch into ‘Track’, and the traction control switches off and the intervention from the stability program relaxes – though this can still be turned off completely if the driver wishes. At the other end of the scale, ‘Eco’ mode makes the most of a stop/start system and cylinder deactivation to help reduce fuel consumption. Based on the official WLTP testing procedure, the Puma ST achieves 40.9mpg and emits 155g/km of CO2.

The Puma ST’s steering system is claimed to be 25 per cent quicker than the standard Puma’s, and buyers will be offered the option of a Quaife mechanical limited-slip differential to improve traction on corner exit. This also works in conjunction with a torque vectoring system which activates the brakes on the inside wheel to help the Puma hug a tighter line through corners. The Puma ST gets larger brake discs which measure 325mm at the front and 271mm at the back, and are housed within 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

The Puma ST is expected to go on sale in Europe by early 2021 and will cost from £28,500.