JA Motorsport Builds A Super-Nano

The Indian-built Tata Nano is a simple car made to transport people from A to B while being as cheap to own as possible. It is not sold here (since it wouldn't be able to pass our crash tests) but Indians who spend around $2,000 can own one; that price includes four doors, a steering wheel, tires... and that's about it.

A quick inspection of the Nano's layout reveals something interesting: the small city-car has the same engine layout as a Porsche 911. Its engine is located at the rear, and it sends it power to the rear wheels. However, said engine only makes about 38 horsepower, and the car's suspension is closer to a horse carriage than a sport car...

• Also: A North American scoop: The Car Guide drives the Tata Nano!
• Also: New Delhi Police to Cruise in Tata Nanos

This is where JA Motorsport comes in. This Indian performance shop saw the potential of the small vehicle and decided to make a race car out of it. Out came the stock engine, and a 1.3-litre mill generating 230 horsepower and screaming all the way to 10,000 RPM was bolted into the back. Bike enthusiasts will recognize those stats; this engine came from a Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa.

The rest of the car was also upgraded: slick tires, adjustable suspension, negative camber for all four wheels, racing seats, carbon fibre dashboard and even paddle shifters for the transmission.

This modification is not exactly cheap, costing 2,500,000 Indian Rupees, which is about $40,000.

But, for that price, you will be able to brag that your new Tata Nano embarrassed supercars at a track day!