Tata Motors launches AMT buses, prices start at Rs. 21 lakh

dZired · 20th April 2017, 14:12

Tata Motors has introduced AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) technology in its Starbus and Ultra range of buses. The introduction of this technology in the company's fully built range of buses is expected to make it easier for the driver to drive them in heavy traffic. Prices of Tata's AMT buses start at Rs. 21 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The AMT technology can automatically engage the clutch and shift gears, after taking into account various parameters like engine torque, driver's operation of the throttle, vehicle load and road inclination. This eliminates the need to manually operate the clutch and gear lever, thus reducing driver fatigue, especially in dense city traffic.

The AMT technology is being offered in Tata's buses of length ranging from 9 m to 12 m, having a seating capacity of 23 to 54 passengers. It comes with a manual and automatic mode, with the manual mode providing the driver an option to select gears with the lever, though there is still no clutch action required. Additionally, the AMT gearbox also comes with economy and power modes. In the economy mode, gears are shifted up as early as possible to keep the engine at lower rpm and thus improve the overall fuel economy. On the other hand, in the power mode, the AMT tries to keep the engine running in the power band to maintain the drivability of the vehicle. Other features being offered in the AMT buses include a crawler mode and hill hold assist.

Tata Motors claims that this technology also minimises wear and tear of moving parts, thus reducing maintenance costs as well as downtime of the vehicle. The technology is also being claimed to be 3% more fuel efficient that conventional manual gearboxes.

Tata Motors launches AMT buses, prices start at Rs. 21 lakh-tata.jpg

Link to Team-BHP News

i74js · 21st April 2017, 09:52

I am not too happy with the present state of automatic buses running on Delhi roads supplied by Tata & Ashok Leyland. I think its a 4 speed TC arrangement doing duty in these buses and its troublesome as reported in public domain (close to 50% of buses going out of service is due to transmission issues).

AMT on the other hand is simple, yet given the driving conditions and loading on buses, the long term reliability again carries a question mark.

Also, very specific to highways, where Drivers tend to run there buses considering roads as F1 race track, a manual transmission often helps them in managing close overtaking maneuvers, which may not be possible with an AMT unless they shift to manual mode every time; thus

- will AMT result in more accidents, as the gear can upshift while overtaking, taking the driver by a surprise? or
- it will make them a sane driver as they know the limitations of AMT

Let's see how market reacts to this offering of Tata.

20th April 2017, 14:12	#1
dZired Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,861 Thanked: 7,960 Times View My Garage	Tata Motors launches AMT buses, prices start at Rs. 21 lakh Tata Motors has introduced AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) technology in its Starbus and Ultra range of buses. The introduction of this technology in the company's fully built range of buses is expected to make it easier for the driver to drive them in heavy traffic. Prices of Tata's AMT buses start at Rs. 21 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The AMT technology can automatically engage the clutch and shift gears, after taking into account various parameters like engine torque, driver's operation of the throttle, vehicle load and road inclination. This eliminates the need to manually operate the clutch and gear lever, thus reducing driver fatigue, especially in dense city traffic. The AMT technology is being offered in Tata's buses of length ranging from 9 m to 12 m, having a seating capacity of 23 to 54 passengers. It comes with a manual and automatic mode, with the manual mode providing the driver an option to select gears with the lever, though there is still no clutch action required. Additionally, the AMT gearbox also comes with economy and power modes. In the economy mode, gears are shifted up as early as possible to keep the engine at lower rpm and thus improve the overall fuel economy. On the other hand, in the power mode, the AMT tries to keep the engine running in the power band to maintain the drivability of the vehicle. Other features being offered in the AMT buses include a crawler mode and hill hold assist. Tata Motors claims that this technology also minimises wear and tear of moving parts, thus reducing maintenance costs as well as downtime of the vehicle. The technology is also being claimed to be 3% more fuel efficient that conventional manual gearboxes. Link to Team-BHP News
	(11) Thanks

21st April 2017, 09:52	#2
i74js Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: RJ-02,DL,MH-12 Posts: 1,331 Thanked: 2,181 Times	Re: Tata Motors launches AMT buses, prices start at Rs. 21 lakh I am not too happy with the present state of automatic buses running on Delhi roads supplied by Tata & Ashok Leyland. I think its a 4 speed TC arrangement doing duty in these buses and its troublesome as reported in public domain (close to 50% of buses going out of service is due to transmission issues). AMT on the other hand is simple, yet given the driving conditions and loading on buses, the long term reliability again carries a question mark. Also, very specific to highways, where Drivers tend to run there buses considering roads as F1 race track, a manual transmission often helps them in managing close overtaking maneuvers, which may not be possible with an AMT unless they shift to manual mode every time; thus - will AMT result in more accidents, as the gear can upshift while overtaking, taking the driver by a surprise? or - it will make them a sane driver as they know the limitations of AMT Let's see how market reacts to this offering of Tata.
	() Thanks