Team-BHP - Thar she blows !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM (Post 1957583)

I may also mention here that I have demonstrated the shortcoming of a leaf spring fitted solid axle by actually showing everybody how traction is lost in compressing and decompressing of a leaf spring, which does not happen with IFS. I do not remember who all were there but after my interaction, quite a few people came and told me that they agree with me as they are now seeing it happen.

Yup, I was there when you showed it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher (Post 1959094)

As stated earlier here is the video of you TD-ing the THAR in the background while Allan is trying his stunts :D

Thanks Aniruddh, I didn't realise it was filmed. Did you know I had not dis-engaged the handbrake when I did this?:) Not used to handbrake in Jeeps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR (Post 1959193)

Now from where did this 140HP data set arrive:Shockked:

Stop looking shocked Spikey, that one is hardly a secret.:uncontrol

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 1956700)

I can kind of post my query.
Frankly speaking, I don't care about IFS, articulation etc., much.

1. Can it do 15 hours non stop drives at 100kmph on the highways.
5. Suspension - Will I need a visit to service center after every trip for a tie rod etc., change?
6. Service intervals - The scorpio requires a service every 5K. With 15K intervals of Tatas, I can ride around the country, and still not require a service. Possible in thar?
7. Per km cost - In the first 50,000kms I expect 50p/km service cost. MY Safari gives me that. 60p/km in the first 50,000kms excluding tires. Will Thar beat such costs?

So Behram Sir, can you please give your thoughts, since you are the test engineer for this vehicle. Till now your team seems to be targetting the OTR crowd, but I hope your test plan includes testing for Himalayan touring robustness.

@ Tanveer: Given that I've just completed a 7374 km trip around the country on a Scorpio, may I put in my comments here...
1. The Scorpio has done 3 stretches of non-stop (and I mean not switching off) driving - apart from shorter stretches...
Delhi-Mumbai: 22.5 hours (@ 1500 km);
Madikeri-Visakhapatnam: 25 hours (@ 1400 km);
Kolkata-Delhi: 23 hours (@ 1500 km).

Similar driving has been done often enough earlier in my Accent too, and whether then or now, the cars haven't faltered - ever. I, however, have felt less tired in the Scorpio than in the Accent, and that means a lot to me. Whether the Thar will meet the Scorpio's standards of comfort, is something I'd like to know too.

5. Suspension - and anything else - continues to work flawlessly. 21k km on the odo.

6. Service intervals - I'm probably stretching things a little here as per the service manual, but instead of an oil change at the 20k km service, I did my 15k km service at 13.5k km, and voluntarily changed engine oil and filter at that time. Which means the oil is just 7.5k km old, and a routine check at 21k km should see me doing another round of the country without needing an oil change. However, the oil will get changed at this service.

7. My service costs till now (for the first three services) work out to Rs.6318, which is about 30 paise per km. Now that I'm on paid service from the 4th service onwards, will let you know whether the Scorpio beats the 60 paise/km that you have incurred. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM (Post 1958236)

Dear Tanveer - of course you can drive the Thar continuously for days on end if you choose to. You will finally need sleep, the vehicle will keep going. :D.

@ BD: LOL - I like the way you put it! But then, back in the 20th century, even an Amby could do that. I've driven 44 hours non-stop, as a part of a 2-man team with my brother, in an Amby from Calcutta to Delhi, when India didn't even know to spell expressway! No, the bonnet wasn't opened even once, and yes, petrol cost Rs.7.56 per litre those days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai (Post 1959248)

Stop looking shocked Spikey, that one is hardly a secret.:uncontrol

Samurai, im not kidding, 140 HP is a distant dream as of now, may be someone over here has misinterpreted 140 kmph as 140 HP:uncontrol

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Originally Posted by Desmosedici (Post 1959252)

i guess its a 105 BHP one that shall be made for india. Correct me Spike.

You are right Raj.

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Originally Posted by MileCruncher (Post 1959795)

Will the THAR have a 2 yr std warranty or will it come with extended warranty. And since its a OTR ready vehicle, what all will be the exclusions in the warranty policy ?

Ani, with the ownership experience in your Storm, I see you are more interested in warranty than the car itself. Vinod please answer his query.

Spike:D

Dear SS-Traveller - ref your query, "whether the Thar will meet the Scorpio's standards of comfort, is something I'd like to know too", my reply is as follows:

When we did the prototypes, we had data of the original MM540 seats, also having a certificate which we could use directly, so no hassles for us. We could have taken the easy way out. Somehow I was not comfortable. So we simulated the layout on 3D, made a set and fitted it on one prototype car. It turned out to be :D + :D (got it?). It was a seat for seat's sake, nothing else. I wonder how our grandfathers could drive after sitting on it, they must have been spidermen. So I put my foot down, had a lot of heated discussions all over the place, fought with people who wanted to take the easy way out and finally got good seats in the Thar. You can drive for 24 hours, no sweat there. I have driven Indore / Nasik non stop with full "chamcha" (accelerator pedal is known as chamcha, full chamcha means full power) and enjoyed it. What you need is an included angle of almost 180 degrees (straight line) at your elbows. Then keep your hands at '10 minutes to 2" position, incline the seat backrest to provide exactly required and correct lower back support and enjoy the drive! For some inexplicable reason, in our country, many people sit wrongly and then keep on cribbing. I am sure that you will agree to my statement that "if you can't sit properly in the driver's seat, you can't drive properly".

The car on the trail had the intermediate intent seats, the final ones are positioned a little differently so as to meet CMVR on related areas like wiper performance etc. We are doing complete recertification of seats for this purpose. That's what "slog overs" is all about.

At least say "thank you" now, OK? :).

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM (Post 1960171)

I will say a hundred 'thank you's" on everyone's behalf. Just do me one favour find a way to seat six facing the front in the Thar. Pretty please. And come into the market quickly please, if you can't then take the glitches out the CRDE bolero instead. Both ways I am ready bow my head and offer you a cup of tea,"master have some tea".

Regards,

Chaunfa

P.s. Moderators please forgive me for sinning by mentioning the Bolero in this thread. :uncontrol