The V2 is second-generation of Tata’s little city car, a hugely effective low-price machine that’s fast gaining interest amongst India’s urban elite; until this car arrived they were forced to think about the much less funky products of Hindustan.

A five seater having a choice of 1.4 litre petrol or 1.4 litre diesel engines (having a natural gas burner due at the end of 2004) the vehicle has a distinctly European look.

Handling is less precise than we’re used to in Europe (and obtain with the City Rover) because of the have to accommodate the potholes of rural India.

It’s still appreciably much better than many locally-built cars can lay claim that they can, though.