[Ashley2]

Ashokleyland introduced its new heavy truck platform "CAPTAIN" series. Featured with a new look cabin and other features, CAPTAIN will be available in the range of 16T to 49T, in phased manner.

CAPTAIN 2523 TIPPER

Hinduja flagship firm Ashok Leyland plans to launch up to 18 different types of trucks this year under its new brand for commercial vehicles, 'CAPTAIN'.
The company, which today unveiled the tipper model Captain 2523, priced Rs 24 lakh upwards, is increasing the prices of the existing small trucks by up to Rs 30,000 this month.
It has invested about Rs 600-700 crore in the development of the new range of medium and heavy commercial vehicles under the Captain range, endorsed by Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Source

[binaiks]

Do these get the new Neptune Engines or the older Hino ones? Any info on the specs?

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by binaiks

Do these get the new Neptune Engines or the older Hino ones? Any info on the specs?

Specs of the one featured above:
Engine: H-Series CRS 225hp, 800Nm
GB: 9+1
Front axle has semi-elliptic leaf springs and anti-roll bar (a welcome addition, IMO)
Rear axles have bogie suspension with V-rod
46% gradeability
Option of air-conditioned cabin. Also included is a provision for telemetry systems. Driver gets a suspended seat and rake and reach adjustable steering column.
Source: AL website

To me, this is in the league of Prima-LX, Bharat-Benz, Eicher Pro series etc.

[DWind]

What happened to the U-Truck platform? Is that different or shelved or re-branded?

[silversteed]

Got this pic from the Captain brochure:



What I see missing are power windows and airbags. Those two would've made the cabin complete

[SAE40 in veins]

Overall a very good effort by ALL considering the fact that the U cabin had a slight width disadvantage. The speed of New Launches from ALL in the last 6 months had been outstanding considering that the company is in big financial difficulty.

Noted a few things about the cab, There is an uncanny similarity with Prima and MN when looked at from the side. The old style parking brake on the dash looks retrograde. Headbox is very useful but that net doesn't look good in a premium machine. The other specs look very similar to the U truck (225 CR, 380 dia clutch etc )which means it is more of a cab change. Overall a good competition to the Bharat Benz Tipper the 2523.

[Leymama]

Launching a tipper with balloons is not so rough idea

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by binaiks

Do these get the new Neptune Engines or the older Hino ones? Any info on the specs?

Currently they are available with H-Series and they will be offered subsequently with Neptune.
Neptune is already available in 3120 haulage and U-1619 BS IV water tanker given to Chennai Corporation.

Originally Posted by DWind

What happened to the U-Truck platform? Is that different or shelved or re-branded?

They will continue to sell alongside with Captain. There may be overlaps in products but may be differentiated in pricing.

Originally Posted by SAE40 in veins

Overall a very good effort by ALL considering the fact that the U cabin had a slight width disadvantage. ..

Can you plz detail on the width disadvantage you are speaking?

Originally Posted by SAE40 in veins

Noted a few things about the cab, There is an uncanny similarity with Prima and MN when looked at from the side. ....

Agreed. In fact they are all closely priced and spec'd too.

[Sreedharan]

Found this Pic on the web.

Looks like the "Stallion" that had been in service for the Indian Army for many years now is going to get new looks by sharing cab from "Captain" series

[SAE40 in veins]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Can you plz detail on the width disadvantage you are speaking?

Just layman speak. Usually in India, ICV and MCV cabins masquerade as HCV cabins. The Axor cabin, 2515 Ex cabin etc are good examples. These do not completely cover the track of the front axle and make do with protruding wheel arches/ fenders. The U cabin as is believed to be derived out of the IVECO Cargo cabin is seen with those plastic protrusions. Now, no harm as far a day operation like a tipper is considered but not really apt if a 6 ft+ sleeper berth has to fit inside for the benefit of tall drivers.

I cannot help noticing the fact that the Prima, MN and Captain cabins look wider than the Bharatbenz, U truck and MAN cabins.

[Sreedharan]

As far as i am aware, the U truck cabin had issues with ride quality. Drivers used to avoid driving a U-Truck as they get tired very soon. The issue in particular was undampened "pitch" (up and downward movement of the cabin).

Havent heard any complaints about width of cab. I understand that both U cabin and Captain cabin will be around 2.2 to 2.3m wide (w/o fenders), which is more or less the global standard.

[Nitronium]

Early U-Trucks faced this problem. All the latest ones come with a Phase-4 Cabin Setup that makes the cabin a more rigid setup.

Retrofitment on field vehicles is possible. Can't share any more technical details because of company policy, but just logged in to highlight that the problem reported has been solved.

[silversteed]

Got this pic of a Captain TT from an FB Group:



It's either a soft launch, or AL has given a truck for field trials. Specs and features unknown.

[urzdeepu]

The pic which got posted in our group in FB was a total surprise for us too.

This one i believe is a test mule which has been given for field trials. The spec should match either with that of the U4923TT or should be based on the Neptune platform.

Anyway lets wait and see.

[directinjection]

The cab looks almost identical to that of Tata Prima. Was it designed in-house?