The Tata Mint 1.4, powered by a 60 horsepower engine, was a compact hatchback produced by the Indian manufacturer Tata Motors between 1998 and 2008. While not officially sold in the United States, the Mint was a significant vehicle in the Indian automotive market, representing an affordable and practical option for families and urban commuters. It was positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to more established global brands, and played a role in Tata’s efforts to expand its domestic market share. The Mint’s design and engineering reflected the automotive technology prevalent in the late 1990s and early 2000s, prioritizing functionality and cost-effectiveness.
The Tata Mint 1.4: A Detailed Overview
The Tata Mint was conceived as a modern, small family car for the Indian market. It aimed to provide a comfortable and reliable transportation solution at an accessible price point. The vehicle’s design was relatively simple, focusing on maximizing interior space within a compact footprint. The Mint’s production run spanned a decade, during which it underwent minor revisions but largely retained its core characteristics. It was a key model in Tata’s lineup, helping to establish the brand as a viable competitor in the burgeoning Indian automotive industry.
Engine & Performance
The Tata Mint 1.4 was equipped with a 1.4-liter inline four-cylinder petrol (gasoline) engine. This engine produced 60 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 105 Nm (77.44 lb.-ft.) of torque at 2500 rpm. While not a performance-oriented vehicle, the engine provided adequate power for everyday driving conditions in India. The power-to-weight ratio was 14.2 kg/Hp, or 70.6 Hp/tonne, indicating a modest but functional performance level. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) took approximately 15 seconds, and 0 to 60 mph was achieved in around 14.3 seconds. The Mint had a maximum speed of 140 km/h (86.99 mph). The engine utilized a carburettor fuel injection system and was naturally aspirated. The engine displacement was 1405 cm3 (85.74 cu. in.), with a cylinder bore of 75 mm (2.95 in.) and a piston stroke of 79.5 mm (3.13 in.). The compression ratio was 9:1, and each cylinder featured two valves.
Design & Features
The Tata Mint was a five-door hatchback with seating for five passengers. Its body style was typical of compact hatchbacks of the era, prioritizing practicality and space efficiency. The vehicle’s dimensions were relatively small, measuring 3660 mm (144.09 in.) in length, 1625 mm (63.98 in.) in width, and 1480 mm (58.27 in.) in height. The wheelbase was 2400 mm (94.49 in.). The Mint featured a front engine, front-wheel-drive layout. Suspension duties were handled by coil springs on both the front and rear axles. Braking consisted of disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear. An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) was included as a safety feature. The trunk (boot) space was a modest 280 liters (9.89 cu. ft.). The fuel tank capacity was 37 liters (9.77 US gal | 8.14 UK gal). The vehicle’s tires were sized 155/70 R13.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Tata |
| Model | Mint |
| Generation | Mint |
| Type (Engine) | 1.4 (60 Hp) |
| Start of production | 1998 |
| End of production | 2008 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Hatchback |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 15 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 15 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 14.3 sec |
| Maximum speed | 140 km/h (86.99 mph) |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 14.2 kg/Hp, 70.6 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 8.1 kg/Nm, 123.5 Nm/tonne |
| Power | 60 Hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Power per litre | 42.7 Hp/l |
| Torque | 105 Nm @ 2500 rpm (77.44 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine displacement | 1405 cm3 (85.74 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 75 mm (2.95 in.) |
| Piston Stroke | 79.5 mm (3.13 in.) |
| Compression ratio | 9:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 2 |
| Fuel injection system | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Kerb Weight | 850 kg (1873.93 lbs.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 280 l (9.89 cu. ft.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 37 l (9.77 US gal | 8.14 UK gal) |
| Length | 3660 mm (144.09 in.) |
| Width | 1625 mm (63.98 in.) |
| Height | 1480 mm (58.27 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2400 mm (94.49 in.) |
| Front track | 1295 mm (50.98 in.) |
| Rear (Back) track | 1255 mm (49.41 in.) |
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears and type of gearbox | 4 gears, manual transmission |
| Front suspension | Coil spring |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
| Front brakes | Disc |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Tires size | 155/70 R13 |
The Tata Mint 1.4, while not a groundbreaking vehicle in terms of innovation, served a crucial role in the Indian automotive landscape. It provided a reliable and affordable transportation option for a growing middle class, and helped to establish Tata Motors as a significant player in the domestic market. Its simple design, coupled with its relatively low running costs, made it a popular choice for families and commuters alike.
