[Sutripta]

Last part of
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post3141382
might be interesting.

Other than ambulances, seen a Sumo 4X4 as a 'bomb disposal squad' vehicle.

Regards
Sutripta

[Parm]

I think I have posted this photo before somewhere in discussion to the Sumo 4x4.

Anyway here in this photo the Sumo is used as a "Jammer" for any IEDs which could be detonated by remote control.

The other photo of sumo is self explanatory.

Parm

[lifebuoy]

Originally Posted by Parm

I think I have posted this photo before somewhere in discussion to the Sumo 4x4.

The other photo of sumo is self explanatory.

Parm

Hi Parm,

The Sumo in LAV guise looks great ! Why don't TATA plonk a similar metal (not armoured) shell on the X2 platform and sell it as a desi Hummer substitute ? I would trade in my ARIA for that anyday.

Just "the" vehicle for Indian roads. Can take in rough roads and bullies in its stride as well.

[Parm]

Originally Posted by lifebuoy

Hi Parm,

The Sumo in LAV guise looks great ! Why don't TATA plonk a similar metal (not armoured) shell on the X2 platform and sell it as a desi Hummer substitute ? I would trade in my ARIA for that anyday.

Just "the" vehicle for Indian roads. Can take in rough roads and bullies in its stride as well.

That Sumo based LAV is just to show to Indian Army that TATA is capable of building an indigenous vehicle.

Economics don't allow TATA to launch its civilian version, but since BD has moved from MM to TATA, there would be substantial changes in the new Sumo and its 4x4 version.

I would prefer a Sumo or a Bolero 4x4 versions for a expedition vehicle. OTR specific vehicle has to be a SWB Gypsy or 550.

Drive Safe

Parm

[lifebuoy]

Originally Posted by Parm

That Sumo based LAV is just to show to Indian Army that TATA is capable of building an indigenous vehicle.

Economics don't allow TATA to launch its civilian version, but since BD has moved from MM to TATA, there would be substantial changes in the new Sumo and its 4x4 version.

I would prefer a Sumo or a Bolero 4x4 versions for a expedition vehicle. OTR specific vehicle has to be a SWB Gypsy or 550.

Parm

Well, TATA does not have to show their capabilities, I guess their R&D is well known and acknowledged all over. They can indeed build an indigenous vehicle, I was commenting on a similar shell on the X2 platform. The Hummer was also (and is) a military All Terrain Vehicle that has now spawned a luxury off roader for the desirous ones. A desi and economical version what was what I meant.

What is BD ? Bomb Disposal ? Bo Derek ?

Trials are on since Apr this year for a replacement of the Gypsy that Maruti has flooded the Army and the forces in general with. The QRs speak for themselves - thay want to keep Maruti and its fuel guzzlers OUT. The Gypsy has far outlived its useable life, its only in our country that Maruti can push non-selling models to the GoI. (Eg, Gypsy, Esteem, SX4).

[powertrain]

Originally Posted by lifebuoy

What is BD ? Bomb Disposal ? Bo Derek ?

BD = Mr. Behram Dhabhar. A man par excellence. One of the very few people in India,who knows Jeeps better than God himself!!Also the person who is widely known as the father of MM Thar.Was working for M&M & recently joined TATA.

Regards,
Varun

[Parm]

Originally Posted by lifebuoy

Well, TATA does not have to show their capabilities, I guess their R&D is well known and acknowledged all over. They can indeed build an indigenous vehicle, I was commenting on a similar shell on the X2 platform. The Hummer was also (and is) a military All Terrain Vehicle that has now spawned a luxury off roader for the desirous ones. A desi and economical version what was what I meant.

What is BD ? Bomb Disposal ? Bo Derek ?

Trials are on since Apr this year for a replacement of the Gypsy that Maruti has flooded the Army and the forces in general with. The QRs speak for themselves - thay want to keep Maruti and its fuel guzzlers OUT. The Gypsy has far outlived its useable life, its only in our country that Maruti can push non-selling models to the GoI. (Eg, Gypsy, Esteem, SX4).

Remember when maruti was formed as a company, it was a joint venture of the govt with Suzuki. So it was easy to push the govt product into govt organisations. And at that time, security forces were using the Mahindra Jeep and Jonga as its JEEPS, and with launch of Gypsy, which was much modern to the other two.

Originally Posted by powertrain

BD = Mr. Behram Dhabhar. A man par excellence. One of the very few people in India,who knows Jeeps better than God himself!!Also the person who is widely known as the father of MM Thar.Was working for M&M & recently joined TATA.

Regards,
Varun

Wow, BD is now a Bimbo!! Bo Derek!

[1100D]

Originally Posted by powertrain

BD = Mr. Behram Dhabhar. A man par excellence. One of the very few people in India,who knows Jeeps better than God himself!!Also the person who is widely known as the father of MM Thar.Was working for M&M & recently joined TATA.

Regards,
Varun

But in Tata, I doubt his calibre would be distantly recognised. Because, even at this age and the so-called Tata motors' super horizonext program, they are still referring to the Turbocharger as a significant contributor of technology (amongst other advanced technologies, which the presenter sheepishly avoided taking names of).

see video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpFGKrLNi7M

God knows what did they have during their 1516 turbo days, or even the Sierra Turbo days.

I am not sure if this company at present is aware of what they had amongst them. In anycase they are sure to not notice the personal recreational 4x4 as a segment that could actually spawn up.

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by 1100D

God knows what did they have during their 1516 turbo days, or even the Sierra Turbo days. I am not sure if this company at present is aware of what they had amongst them.

In the days of 1516, they had Sumant Moolgaonkar amongst them which made all the difference! If only he (or somebody like him) were in charge of TM today!

[1100D]

Originally Posted by directinjection

In the days of 1516, they had Sumant Moolgaonkar amongst them which made all the difference! If only he (or somebody like him) were in charge of TM today!

Ha Ha!! Ironically, Sumant Moolgaonkar is present in this thread. The iconic vehicle (Sumo is indeed a true icon) that we are talking about here was named after the great icon him self SuMo (SU-mant MO-olgaonkar)! No wonder its continuing to wrestle its way, loosing the battle but not without a fight, virtually unaltered to this day.

[lifebuoy]

Originally Posted by 1100D

Ha Ha!! Ironically, Sumant Moolgaonkar is present in this thread. The iconic vehicle (Sumo is indeed a true icon) that we are talking about here was named after the great icon him self SuMo (SU-mant MO-olgaonkar)! No wonder its continuing to wrestle its way, loosing the battle but not without a fight, virtually unaltered to this day.

Well, if the Gypsy and the Bolero can trudge on, the Force One is an outdated Ford Explorer shell with an improvised OM 616 engine and power train (maybe), the Premier Rio is again an outdated Daihatsu Terios. All of these also are marketed today, whats wrong with an updated Sumo ?

We have seen the hype about world class auto majors - The GM Tavera fiasco, (a good percentage of GMs cars are resurrected Korean corpses) the Ecosport recall on rather flimsy grounds (not tested prior to customer delivery, i guess). What's the problem with a tried and trusted platform that the Sumo is. The Rexton also didn't make any impression on the market either, reason : Ssyangyong was badly in the red and Mahindra only infused some life blood (aka TATA with JLR) although JLR and Ssangyong are incomparable entities. Fact is, the Rexton dosen't sell much either, anywhere.

Come out of the air conditioned shells from the big cities and the stark reality is something very different, where old and proven horses like the Bolero and the Sumo still rule the roost. Or, take the example of the military vehicles. Why would they put the competition through grueling tests, when the Safari and the Scorpio are tried and tested (by Indians) platforms. Its because of the old adage "Test it so that you can trust it".

The same logic that makes the C-130-J Hercules the world's most potent military platform, holds good for the Sumo here. Aesthetics and comfort are not factors when the going gets tough. Another example - The Royal Enfield Bullet - it trudges on, because of its robustness and the trust factor.

[1100D]

Originally Posted by lifebuoy

The same logic that makes the C-130-J Hercules the world's most potent military platform, holds good for the Sumo here. Aesthetics and comfort are not factors when the going gets tough. Another example - The Royal Enfield Bullet - it trudges on, because of its robustness and the trust factor.

So true, so agreeable.

Everytime I see a Tata Sumo Army Ambulance with its large wheels, the heart skips a beat. Makes me want to own one in the exact same look (with the 407 headlights and the old round Tata symbol) with an updated engine. I have posted elsewhere on this same thread that such a vehicle actually exists in their own specialised product offering with the Safari Dicor derived powertrain. All they need is to bring out a civilian version of it. No changes required. But then I guess the CMVR thing has now hit Tata!

[Sutripta]

Observed that the Sumo 4x4 is used quite extensively by the NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force). (As is the Gypsy. Did not observe any MM vehicles, but there can be lots of explanations for that.)

Regards
Sutripta

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Observed that the Sumo 4x4 is used quite extensively by the NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force). (As is the Gypsy. Did not observe any MM vehicles, but there can be lots of explanations for that.) Regards Sutripta

Lovely tough looking things these SUMO 4x4's.
Here's one I saw on the road in Bangalore. Army Ambulance Corps vehicle.

Took it from my car phone holder while we were at a traffic signal. That's why the weird angles.

[vroom666]

Do these Army 4x4 Sumo's ever come up for auction? I am sure a lot of us would want to pick one up.