Currently reading: UK-developed Tata Megapixel takes home bow at Goodwood
The Tata Megapixel concept, a range-extended electric car with emissions of 22g/km has made its first UK appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Tata Megapixel concept, a range-extended electric vehicle with CO2 emissions as low as 22g/km and the potential for 282mpg has been made its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Tata chiefs revealed last year that a production version of the Pixel would make it to Europe instead of the proposed European version of the Tata Nano.

The Megapixel “is the result of the progress we have made on the Pixel”, according to Tata India’s managing director, Prakash Telang.

While a conventional three-cylinder turbodiesel engine powered the Pixel, the Megapixel is driven by four electric motors, one mounted in each wheel. They are powered by a 13kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack that helps give the Megapixel an all-electric range of 54 miles. The batteries can be recharged using an induction charging system.

When electric power is depleted, a tiny 30bhp 325cc single cylinder petrol generator kicks in to extend the range up to “over 559 miles”. It can reach a maximum speed of 68mph.

One of the Pixel’s most impressive features was its turning circle of just 5.2 metres. Despite the Megapixel’s more complex drivetrain, the turning circle is a still-impressive 5.6 metres. A Hackney Carriage’s turning circle is 7.6 metres.

While the fundamental design of the Megapixel looks more production ready than before, some more elaborate concept car features are incorporated. The Megapixel – which also previews Tata’s future design language – features double sliding doors on each side to boost cabin access.

The absence of B-pillars results in a spacious, easily accessible four-seat cabin, which boasts even more space in the floor areas as the seats are cantilevered on the centre tunnel.

A smartphone can be mounted and full integrated into the front cabin, and a large touchscreen sits in the centre console to control the interior’s major functions.

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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xxxx 29 June 2012

Range extender number 3

If this lives up to the spec then plug-in Range Extenders are showing the way forward.  Good to see a much smaller engine being used as the generator too.   

gionascm2 29 June 2012

Tata products are very good,

Tata products are very good, i like it.

TegTypeR 6 March 2012

Re: Geneva 2012: Tata Megapixel

Tata products are becoming more and more credible and this so far seems to be the best of the lot. With some subtle tweaking, I am sure this could be made suitable for European markets.

You have to wonder how long before we start to see Tata products (in their own right) in this country.