[Motorholic]

Who cares a damn about how this vehicle looks. In combat, what counts is whether it does the job. One look at the tyre pattern and you know that Tata means business. Contrary to the opinions on this thread, I hope Tata doesn't bother about the design and instead, allocates its resources to load carrying capability, offroad ability, tough-as-nails reliability and performance.

Almost exactly my thoughts. I don't mind a better looking vehicle but what matters is if this thing rolls the way Tata intends, the purpose would be served anyway. It could become a legend for it's off-roading prowess and 10 years down the line, there'll be a legion of followers on T-bhp raving about the vehicle. Are looks the only thing that come in the way of car-love ?

[amitk26]

Look at the specifications 60 degree gradability , 45 degree approach and departure angle , 255mm Ground clearance , 300mm vertical climb and Automatic transmission with top speed 105km/hr with payload of 1.2 tonnes.
Can operate from -20 deg to +55 deg. Closed hard top is better for protecting against elements.

Who says this is not butch specially seeing what Army has right now.

Counld not find specifications of Axe and others for gradability, approach and departure angle and payload to compare.

[zipperone]

Originally Posted by powertrain

GUYS, HERE'S THE SCOOP ABOUT THE NEW TATA DEFENCE VEHICLE - REPORT COURTESY- AUTOCAR INDIA

Take a look at these photos sent to us by reader Ramanath Alapati who happened to be on holiday in Leh. The vehicle, which resembles the Mahindra Axe, is being tested in high terrain which is where military vehicles do duty and it looks like Tata Motors is keen to increase its share of the military pie.
The Axe, called the Indian Humvee, is made by Mahindra Defence Systems and supplied to the Indian army. The Tatas have been supplying Sumo-based vehicles including ambulances to the army. And reportedly, a bomb-proof Safari was also made.
In February, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee hiked India’s defence budget by four percent to $32 billion. While $13 billion is for modernisation, $12 billion is the allocation for the army.
With an Axe-like vehicle, Tata Motors could also tap the police and para-military sectors. Also with Land Rover, which has domain knowledge in defence vehicles, Tata has solid expertise to leverage.

This is not really a scoop by autocar, some one has already posted pictures of this test vehicle mistaking it for the hummer

see here

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-...-pictures.html

The Mahindra AXE has not be decided upon by the Army. it is still under evaluation it seems as are a number of other vehicles. This TATA test vehicle seems to be under evaluation as well.

IMO its ugly and crude in this form. hope a better looking version makes it to production or the army chooses the defender.

[raj_5004]

well zipper, the pics in the link is actually of an H1 & its not a tata!

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

well zipper, the pics in the link is actually of an H1 & its not a tata!

Defenitely not a Hummer.

[SirAlec]

Axe is a direct copy from Israel.

This looks very un balanced.

The one previously released by TATA looked much better.

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by teamveevee

Defenitely not a Hummer.

to me it looks like a hummer H1, let the experts decide.

[jkdas]

Eh? Axe didn't seriously make it? All those looks and specs? Damn!

Thought it was a joke till I saw TSK's post. All the best Tata.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by amitk26

...the specifications 60 degree gradability...

it is 60% and not 60°.

(60% gradeability = 27° slope)

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

it is 60% and not 60°.

(60% gradeability = 27° slope)

Thanks for correction , BTW any idea what is gradeability of other normal offroaders Army has Like MM550 , Stallion 4X4 , Tetra etc ?

Also read that Tata LSV has water fordability of 750 mm

EDIT : In the specification they claim vertical climb of 300MM now the GC is 255mm so how vertical climb more then GC is acheived ?

MODS : this thread should be moved to 4X4 or Indian Cars section , Tata LSV is definitely not a commercial vehicle.

[IronWolf]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

I am sure it will look much better when the camouflage tin sheets are removed.

BT - If you do that it would look like a TATA 207 pickup.

This thing looks unstable just standing there in that image. Not sure of how stable its going to be offroad or on road.

Looks pretty Armoured up. Just that would not fly with the Army's decision?

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

@powertrain nice catch! Any info on the specs?

Saare, forget the specs of that breadbox. How about more specs about the Axe? Would it be sold to public after all that product development (In case Army does not opt for it)?

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Saar, as of now it is not intended for civilians. Even if intended, some people would demand it to be sold for 5 .5 lakhs max.

Spike

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Saar, as of now it is not intended for civilians. Even if intended, some people would demand it to be sold for 5 .5 lakhs max.

Spike

Are there any spec of Axe available like GC , Approach and departure angle , Water fordability , vertical climb , Max speed and maximum payload like Tata has published for LSV ?

Any insider information on what was wrong with AXE and why it failed to clear some of the tests in Army trials ?

Originally Posted by IronWolf

BT - If you do that it would look like a TATA 207 pickup.

This thing looks unstable just standing there in that image. Not sure of how stable its going to be offroad or on road.

Nice way of looking at things but seeing that they are testing with a 1500 liter Syntex water tank ( probably to simulate 1.2 Tonne payload) in Laddakh I assume the above statement is just a perception.

[~~h]

Axe isn't an original Mahindra design anyway, the real origin is Israeli or so... IMHO Tata's effort is commendable.

[prince_pervez]

Originally Posted by phantom76

Looks like a DIY vehicle assembled over a couple of weekends.

Originally Posted by pawan_pullarwar

Look like a college proejct to me

You guys are hillarious.

Originally Posted by GTO

Who cares a damn about how this vehicle looks. In combat, what counts is whether it does the job.

Perfect . They should do the job. But why are the armed forces moving away from the ever so reliable Ashok Leyland ? Their Tatra trucks are a delight to watch and they must be performing their job too. So you get good looks as well as get the job done.