The Rs 22 crore Tata Nano (13 images)
The car that made international headlines for being the cheapest one around is again in the news. This time for something quite the opposite, bling.
The car incorporates beautiful designs, made with the precious stones of different colours, set on the gold and silver body of the car. Check out 12 more images after the jump.
The Tata Group unveiled a Nano car - made with gold and silver, and studded with precious stones - worth an astronomical over Rs 22 crore.
But, it's not for sale - the valuable and fully functional car is a unique branding and promotional initiative by Goldplus Jewellery, part of Titan Industries, a Tata Group company, an official said.
Titan Industries' Goldplus, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, is celebrating 5000 years of India's jewellery tradition with a special edition of the Tata Nano plated with real gold.
The mega-value Goldplus Nano Car was unveiled on Monday evening by Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata.
Goldplus conducted an online poll to choose the design for the car. Users were asked to choose one from the three short-listed designs: Goldplus Nano 1, Goldplus Nano 2 and Goldplus Nano 3.
The Goldplus Nano 1 emerged as the winner in the public poll and is now the official Goldplus Nano.
The facade of the Goldplus Nano 1 includes jewellery styles ranging from seed pearls to a close set of Karaikudi diamonds with Nakashi emboss draping the car.
Goldplus Nano 1 also uses techniques like granulation, temple setting, stamp work and open polki.
The car wears Meenakari from Rajasthan, Kundankari from Delhi, Filigree from West Bengal and Assam and Bidri from Andhra Pradesh. The glass is fused with gold in traditional Thewa style.
The Goldplus Nano Car pales the average Rs 1.40 lakh Nano, which started with a Rs 1 lakh price tag at its launch. After its glittering launch in Mumbai Monday evening, the Goldplus Nano Car will travel to all the Goldplus showrooms at 29 locations around the country.
The other designs in contention to be the official Goldplus Nano included the GoldPlus Nano 2 that is a tribute to goddess Lakshmi and is decorated with Aipan motif from Uttarakhand.
The inspiration behind the Goldplus Nano 3 is the national bird of India, peacock. The design also includes dancing apsaras from the Ajanta cave paintings.
