[TusharK]

Tata Motors has unveiled its upgraded range of commercial vehicles for transport applications from sub-1 tonne to 55 tonne.

Tata claims that the new range of CVs offer better performance, lower total cost of ownership with higher uptime and improved efficiency. The range comes with the next generation digital fleet management solution called Fleet Edge. The vehicles are also claimed to offer improved comfort and safety.



Small Commercial Vehicles and Pick-ups (SCV & PU)

The SCV and PU range consists of the Ace, Intra and Yodha models with increased payload of up to 750 kg, 1,300 kg and 1,700 kg respectively.

The Ace comes with a new digital instrument cluster, added storage space and a USB port. It is powered by a diesel engine that makes 20 BHP and 45 Nm. The petrol variant makes 30 BHP and 55 Nm, while the CNG variant develops 26 BHP and 50 Nm.

The Intra V30 gets the largest loading deck in its class. It is equipped with power steering, a gear shift indicator and has an ECO mode.

The Yodha BS6 offers better occupant safety thanks to frontal crumple zone and collapsible steering. It has flat laydown bucket seats and a high utility dashboard.

Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCV)

The new M&HCV range features three Cummins and Turbotronn engines including a 6.7-litre Cummins unit which is claimed to be the highest selling Euro 6 engine in the world. These engines are said to deliver higher power-to-weight ratio and fuel economy. The trucks come with a multi-mode fuel economy switch and a gear shift indicator.

The M&HCV range comes with Ultra, Signa and Prima cabin options. These upgraded cabins feature additional storage space, wider sleeping berths, tilt and telescopic steering, 3-way adjustable seats.

Additional safety and comfort features include engine brake, Hill Start Assist, Reverse Parking Assistance, new intelligent instrument cluster and LED tail-lights.

Passenger Commercial Vehicles

Tata Motors buses are based on a modular platform. These feature wider bodies, higher seating capacities and multiple drive modes. The buses come equipped with destination boards, surveillance cameras, automatic passenger counter and RFID-based attendance system.

The new Tata Winger is available in ambulance and passenger versions, along with multiple wheelbase and seat configurations. It is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that develops a torque of 200 Nm. It also has an ECO mode.

The Winger is based on a monocoque chassis and has McPherson strut independent suspension. It features a new design with LED daytime running lights, a new dashboard, twin AC.

Link to Team-BHP News

[haisaikat]

The Telematics in CV space is up for some serious competition in India as it seems.

Recently M&M officially announced the formal release of their CV Telematics suite in IMAXX.

While the M&M IMAXX seems to have the advantage of applied AI and ML on top of the data to generate predictions and insights from advertised information, the Tata Fleet Edge has the advantage of having the dual advantage of satellite based communication for areas with poor cellular coverage.

Of course Fleet Edge is a ORBCOMM automobile IoT product which as of now it seems IMAXX is M&M indigenous offering, hence kudos to M&M. Eventually the customer will benefit from both and similar offerings that will come up.

[SAE40 in veins]

Interestingly, the mainstay power train of TML LCVs and ICVs, the legendary Tata 497 engine seems to have been discontinued in the BS 6 line up.

If the 1.3 Multijet could be the 'National Car Engine' and the 5.9 ISBe Cummins, the 'National Truck Engine' then the 'National LCV engine' could very well have been the Tata 497 just about a year back.

Interestingly TML has launched a new 3.3 liter engine in the CV portfolio. This engine was showcased in Auto Expo 2012 with 193 PS on the display boards then. Also the 4SP CR engine (Yes! the Tata Xenon & Yodha engine) seems to have gone into the Ultra T7 and is now pushing upto 7 Tons of GVW.

Hopefully the new 3.3 liter engine lives upto fill the huge void left by its predecessor, the one and only 497.

RIP dear 497, we will miss you.

[mayd85]

Both 697 and 497 family of engines were based on Benz 6 cylinder OM312 platform of engines, if I remember correctly. This engine was initially 692 (6 cylinders, 92 mm bore), which was later upgraded to 697 by increasing the bore to 97 mm. This engine was designed sometime in the early 50s and did duties in various Tata vehicles for next 70 years. Original engine was naturally aspirated, which was later modified with turbo, intercooler and what not.