Tata Pixel concept
Tata Pixel conceptPR handout

It's no secret that Tata Motors is working on a new project after successful launch of the Tiago. The new project has been code-named Pelican which is expected to turn copiously reworked next-gen Nano. The purported model was caught testing recently hinting at rapid progress in the product development.

The spyshot shows the Pelican in the same silhouette of the current Nano, barring headlight clusters, and redesigned bumpers. The test mule features 13-inch wheels, redesigned bonnet and a repositioned fuel filler cap. The small car will be based on the updated X302 platform of current Nano.

On the inside, Pelican's dashboard will see instrument cluster located right behind the steering wheels. In the current Nano, instrument cluster has been positioned at the centre of dashboard. The Pelican is expected to get many features from the Tiago. The dashboard layout will be borrowed from Tiago with tweaks. The small car will also boast of Harman Kardon infotainment system instead of CD/MP3 system. The production version of the pelican could sport more features and changes as the spotted test mule at its early stages of development.

Tata Motors was also working on a two-cylinder 800cc diesel engine for the Nano. However, the project was put on the back-burner citing cost issues. This engine might make way to the Pelican. In that case, the Pelican is expected in both petrol and diesel mills.

Tata Pelican, which is expected to get a price tag of around Rs 3.5 lakh, could come equipped with safety features like ABS and airbags as standard. The project is expected to see the light of the day by the end of 2017, and it will be produced from Tata Motors' Sanand plant in Gujarat.