[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

The vibration most importantly we are speaking about is during the idle speed of the engine. (It has nothing to do with the type of body - either Marco's or built by others).....

Thank God someone clarified what was meant by 'vibration'. I'll agree, the vibration in idle in a Tata is painful. AL's are much better in this aspect for sure.

[Trapezio]

I am tired of some arguments.

The idea that Tata never tried is a typical South Indian mentality! AL, being in South, tried many of their innovative ideas in some of the South/West Indian cities. Naturally AL earned a reputation for being innovative in these areas.

Tata has similarly tried many ideas in North India. They enjoy a terrific reputation in North and AL falls behind. In Kerala, people think that a Tata cannot climb a hill! In Himachal I see them driving it up inclines which does not exist in Kerala. So obviously that wisdom is a little flawed.

For example Tata had a rear engine bus prototype running from 1980s! How many knows this? Their first rear engine bus from Tata was in the beginning of 90s and due to zero local demand was consigned solely to export markets. It looks exactly like the old Tata 1510 but the engine is at the rear. Did you know that it offered 160 hp at that time?

Somehow there are many who think that Tata made their rear engine buses in flat six months! I wish those automotive pundits good luck!

Both AL and Tata have tried their best within their respective limitations.

[Ashley2]

So I have been following this for quite some time and here I have strcuk with it.
Here is the iT09 been operated by TVLS between Chennai - Tuticorin. There are total of 10 buses been operated by them between chennai and various souther part of tamilnadu(Kovilpatti,Nagerkoil..etc)
This is the counter part of the one which I have spotted earlier. Both of them are a month old.

Chassis - Viking
Variant - 222" WB
Version - BSIII.

Engine
Family - HSeries 6DTi
Power - 123 KW

Suspension
Front - Shackle
Rear - Air

Seating
Configuration - 2x2
Capacity - 31
Type - Semi Sleeper


- The iT09 brand was prominently positioned in the front panel and near door entry
- Fit and Finish was very good.
- Driver cabin was finished in excellent condition.
- The gap,flush between the trim parts were uniform.
- All the controls were ergonomically placed with in reach.
- There were no frills in the plastic parts.
- Last row and first row seats were provided with Lap belts.
- Seats were very comfortable and supportive.
- Seat fabrics, stiches were very good.
- The body featured a unique E+5 entry.

- There is no roof hatch in the cabin and so the air circulation could be limited(Complained by Driver)
- There was no retractable entry step below the actual entry step.
- Paint finish can be told as Ok ish.. Even the designes were old.

[raj_5004]

though i dint like the design, the bus still manages to look pretty good. where is the body shop located?

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

though i dint like the design, the bus still manages to look pretty good. where is the body shop located?

Near Trichy - one in
Viralimalai and other in Pudokottai

[prmd_cochin]

A more mature paint job than the current fancy one would have done wonders. Also the windows, full a/c only with non slidable glass would also make for that upmarket look.

[SirAlec]

So engine is still upfront.

What Asjok leyland learned after so many years is to design a proper Dash and instrument cluster.

Remember the old one in Viking. It was just their floating on the steering column. It was like Designed by someone who is bored and lowly paid.

[agspins]

Nothing to talk about, looks or anything else except for the dashboard.why they have kept the engine in front? and why the seat is that way, to keep driver alert or something?

[n.devdath]

To add to what agspins said, no manufacturer other than Volvo has designed a proper, ergonomic adjustable driver's seat. This is a major cause of driver fatigue on all buses. How much would it cost to add a good automobile seat? Less than 1% of the vehicle cost I presume.

[raj_5004]

thanks ashley.

yes, the instrument console is neat. look at the door handle of the driver's door, looks good!

[conjon]

The interiors look pretty neat and well finished.
The rear design is quite okay, but the front end,what an awful design!!!

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by n.devdath

To add to what agspins said, no manufacturer other than Volvo has designed a proper, ergonomic adjustable driver's seat. This is a major cause of driver fatigue on all buses. How much would it cost to add a good automobile seat? Less than 1% of the vehicle cost I presume.

Even I dont understand why this is not addressed yet.
Raj how is the seats in your buses. Changed them or with the OE fitted one.

[raj_5004]

you mean the seats or seat covers?

anyways, its the one fitted from prakash itself. why to change?

[Amartya]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

you mean the seats or seat covers?

anyways, its the one fitted from prakash itself. why to change?

I think they meant that the company fitted seat (not cover) is not ergonomic, and they are right about it. Only talking about the driver's seat.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Even I dont understand why this is not addressed yet.
Raj how is the seats in your buses. Changed them or with the OE fitted one.

Doesn't TVS group company Harita make ergonomic CV seats in collaboration with German company Grammer?