[Aditya]

Tata Motors showcased two new mini-trucks at Municipalika 2014 which was organized in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from November 13-15. Built on the Ace platform, these two models have been named the Ace Hopper Tipper BS IV – Waste Segregation and the Super Ace Suction Machine BS III.

The Tata Ace Hopper Tipper BS IV – Waste Segregation, is a fully-built offering for door-to-door garbage collection and unloading waste directly into a garbage compactor. It has a Cathodic Electro Deposition (CED) treated body to prevent corrosion. The vehicle is available in BS III and BS IV compliant versions.

The Super Ace Suction Machine BS III is also a fully-built mini suction vehicle for door-to-door sewage cleaning. It features a high pressure suction operation for a depth of upto 25 feet and diameter up to 75 mm. It is available with a BS III compliant engine and has 39% gradeability.

The company claims that both mini-trucks can easily manoeuver through narrow lanes due to their small size and best-in-class turning radius. The company also claims that the vehicles have good fuel economy and low maintenance costs.

[Reinhard]

I've seen the Ace in both these roles often in Pune. Primarily in PCMC area. Not sure whether they are factory built machines or have been custom fit for these jobs though.

[turbospooler]

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation had Ace Tippers for carrying waste in areas where accessibility was limited for bigger vehicles.
I would like to know how are they managing waste segregation in a tipper as when dumped, the garbage will fall out all at once and get mixed

[Zappo]

Looks like Tata is busy churning out myriad variations of its Ace mini trucks. There is no denying the fact that the "chhota haathi" commercials created a new genre of vehicles that solved a problem which till then had only partial answers like 3-wheeled small carriers or hand pushed carts, rickshaws etc. However, even Tata's would not have thought back then of all the myriad forms in which this Ace series has spawned out today. Tippers, sewage suction trucks, load carriers and what not... In different capacities, forms and shapes there is a surfeit of Aces, including the recently launched Ace Mega.

However, the Ace based mini bus which they seemed to have showcased in the last quarter of 2014 in Indonesia International Motor show. The Ace Minibus seems to carry a huge potential for our semi-urban areas where it can slot above the Canopied Ace based people carrier. I wonder if Tatas plan to launch this here.


Photo Source: Viva News

[condor]

Originally Posted by Zappo

The Ace Minibus seems to carry a huge potential for our semi-urban areas where it can slot above the Canopied Ace based people carrier. I wonder if Tatas plan to launch this here.

I think they should - this one has potential. The Ace has established itself well. They could however, try to change the front look - just to create a distinction between the goods carrying Ace from this passenger vehicle.

[1100D]

Originally Posted by Zappo

However, the Ace based mini bus which they seemed to have showcased in the last quarter of 2014 in Indonesia International Motor show. The Ace Minibus seems to carry a huge potential for our semi-urban areas where it can slot above the Canopied Ace based people carrier. I wonder if Tatas plan to launch this here.

Isn't this a high roof (and probably Long wheel base) Tata Venture?

[Zappo]

Originally Posted by 1100D

Isn't this a high roof (and probably Long wheel base) Tata Venture?

Depending on how you look at it, it can have multiple answers. Core of the matter is that Tata uses the same IDI TCIC engine (1405cc) for most of its simpler load hauling and rudimentary passenger carrying needs. The Super ACE and the Venture have more or less the same engine as well as almost identical output. Gearboxes are also in all probabilities the same with possibly somewhat different ratios to cater to the respective segments and their needs.

However, Venture is sold as a compact MUV of 4m size by the PBU whereas the Super ACE is an offering from the groups commercial vehicles division. Inherently the approach towards the market will also be different for the two vehicles. IMO a longer wheelbase and high roofline Super ACE bus should probably sell much more in the semi-urban, commercial people mover segment with much better acceptability than a venture which is targetted at the private customers and thus may cost more for all the avoidable frills.