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Old 9th January 2012, 19:17   #1
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Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

Force Motors was positioned in a pavilion that was home mainly to commercial vehicle manufacturers, and quite a distance away from the regular brands. When I got there, there were some interviews going on with the senior management and luckily, the security was only letting those with media badges in:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012.jpg

Force Motors had a smaller presence at the Auto Expo, yet it was logically laid out and there was sufficient space between the different vehicles they had on display:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-1.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 9th January 2012 at 23:00.
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Old 9th January 2012, 19:20   #2
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re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

I found it a little strange that the Force One brand ambassador - Mr. Amitabh Bachchan - didn't unveil the 4x4. Even though he was at the Auto Expo for the DC Supercar!

I was told that the 4x4 variant with ABS will come first, followed shortly by dual airbags. The Force One 4x4 should be launched around the July - August period and will have a price premium of ~75K over the 4x2.

4x4 badging on both front fenders. Notice the gap between the fender & door, and the paint on the borders:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-1.jpg

Front bull guard will be standard on the Force One 4x4. Notice the additional fender-mounted ORVM!
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-2.jpg

Interior quality is acceptable & way better than the Scorpio & Safari. Long-throw gearshift is awful, as is the clutch action. Air-con vents for all three seat rows with independent blower controls:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-3.jpg

Electronic shift between 4x2H, 4x4H and 4x4L:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-4.jpg

Projector headlamp & daytime running lights:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-5.jpg

Look at all that ground clearance! The 4x4 stands taller due to the upsized Kumho Mohave tyres:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-6.jpg

Power comes from the Mercedes 2.2L turbo-diesel with 139 BHP (@ 3,800 rpm) and 321 Nm torque (@ 1,600 - 2,400 rpm):
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-7.jpg

Rear is similar to that of the Landcruiser 100 series:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-8.jpg

285/75 R16 tyres. These were for the Auto Expo only, and won't make it to the production vehicle. However, Force Motors did add that the 4x4 will have tyres that are a size larger than those on the 4x2:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-9.jpg

Good luck getting yourself towed out if you ever get stuck (which you will, considering the heft & size of this beast):
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-10.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 9th January 2012 at 23:18.
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Old 9th January 2012, 19:24   #3
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re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

A dressed up 4x2 Force One:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-p1310662.jpg

Shocked to see manufacturers endorsing unsafe guards!
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-p1310665.jpg

Under the skin of the Force One:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-2.jpg

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-3.jpg

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-4.jpg

If you assembled engines for the three-pointed star, you'd shout it out from the roof-top too. In fact, the best thing about any Force Motors automobile is the Daimler engine:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-6.jpg

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-7.jpg

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-8.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 9th January 2012 at 23:08.
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Old 9th January 2012, 19:28   #4
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re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

The Force Traveller Hybrid Concept was developed with the help of Ricardo PLC and Locomotive Technologies (UK). Force says the Hybrid also has waste exhaust heat regeneration, regenerative braking & solar panels on the roof (that charge the battery). The solar-energy capture can give it an additional 20 kms on a sunny day.

Seating capacity is 9 + driver:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-9.jpg

This is a parallel-running full hybrid (not a plug-in). It can operate in full-electric mode in slow moving traffic:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-10.jpg

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-11.jpg

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-12.jpg

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-13.jpg

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-14.jpg

The Traveller CNG has a 78 BHP engine that makes 180 Nm of torque. The CNG tank capacity is 180 liters:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-15.jpg

New Traveller-26 that can seat 15 passengers:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-16.jpg

Look at that extended 4,020 mm wheelbase! Nice to know that it has disc brakes on all 4 wheels:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-17.jpg

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-18.jpg

The first monocoque in this class of commercial vehicles. It gets the same 2.2L diesel as the Force One, albeit detuned @ 128 BHP & 295 Nm of torque:
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-motors-auto-expo-2012-19.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 9th January 2012 at 23:22.
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Old 9th January 2012, 23:18   #5
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Auto Expo 2012 Section
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Old 9th January 2012, 23:26   #6
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

The Trax Gurkha is too conspicuous by its absence
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Old 10th January 2012, 01:57   #7
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

I like the Force One. Unlike the new Safari Storme and the Mahindra XUV, this SUV looks the business. Don't get me wrong, I like the understated lines of the Safari (not the Storme, I'm not a fan of that) and the loud and bordering-on-offensive design of the XUV, but the Force One seems to exude some sort of charm. It looks butch, manly and very tough. Almost like a cheaper Ford Endeavour. I think the One looks very American. That may not be good, always. But it's a great alternative for those who find the Safari Storme too boring, the XUV - too flashy, and the Endeavour - too expensive.

Thanks for this comprehensive thread on the Force products, Rush.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
4x4 badging on both front fenders. Notice the gap between the fender & door, and the paint on the borders:
That is really sad, and looks very cheap. Plonking over 10 lakhs on a car that does not have a decent paint-job and huge panel gaps is not what you'd want to do. I hope Force Motors address this, if they want to do as well, or even better Mahindra and Tata at their game.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
Interior quality is acceptable & way better than the Scorpio & Safari.
Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-force-1-4x4-3.jpg
The steering wheel on the Force One looks like a cheap imitation of Land Rover's steering wheels.

Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012-2010landroverrangeroversteeringwheel1280x960.jpg

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
Shocked to see manufacturers endorsing unsafe guards!
That does look very unsafe. And are my eyes deceiving me, or isn't that right in the way of the exhaust pipes? That's just as unscientific as bull-bars can get.

Last edited by suhaas307 : 10th January 2012 at 01:58.
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Old 10th January 2012, 09:46   #8
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1100D View Post
The Trax Gurkha is too conspicuous by its absence
I was told that the Gurkha will be back in production in 2013. Imagine a Gurkha with the Mercedes 2.2L

Quote:
Originally Posted by suhaas307 View Post
I like the Force One.
Looks aren't bad, but then Force doesn't get any credit for it; it's the Chinese body panel supplier who does.

Quote:
or isn't that right in the way of the exhaust pipes?
It's called......BACK-PRESSURE
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Old 10th January 2012, 10:07   #9
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

Thanks for the pics GTO.

The Force One looks fort like but with the similar "Tata"isque traits of huge panel gaps and poor paint quality, Force will find few takers unless they address the pain points ASAP. I was wondering why such a huge gap between the wheel arch and tyres, ideal resting place for the mischief mongers - read cats,rats and the gang.

@GTO - you pointed out the towing issues, isnt there a towing hook available for the One. Also the steering wheel looks horrible with so many controls given.
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Old 10th January 2012, 10:19   #10
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

The Force one is totally unglamourous but would make an "unbeatable" beater

Re: Sub-assembly of Merc components

There is a discrete corporate ethical message being stated - Mercedes are complying with the CKD ruling.

There is no evidence that its rivals have even started engine assembly. Either they are incurring running losses due to increased dutiues or there are mis-statements
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Old 10th January 2012, 10:31   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
Interior quality is acceptable & way better than the Scorpio & Safari.
While quality of plastic in Safari and Scorpio are of very average quality, but Force One?
I am not sure but from the pictures they look even worse than that in Tata and Mahindra. Color combination spoils the theme even further.
Steering and dials look decent though
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Old 10th January 2012, 10:50   #12
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

Thanks GTO. It looks dated, but for some reason I am liking the Force-1 SUV. May be it looks masculine..
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Old 10th January 2012, 11:24   #13
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

I like this thread. Thanks GTO for a close up of the Force1. I had seen one in the parking lot of my society and i was amazed by the amount of leg room on the 3rd row! It was by far the most spacious 3rd row thought the seat backs were of low height and didn't have head rests. I hope Force Motors keeps working on this product and improves it with each generation. Takes investments but look at how far Tata have come! And they didn't have Mercedes in Indica.
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Old 10th January 2012, 11:25   #14
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

Does the 4X4 carry IFS ?
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Old 10th January 2012, 12:05   #15
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Re: Force Motors (including Force One 4x4) @ Auto Expo 2012

Its incredible as to how Force motors has been assembling engines for mercedes for so long.That goes to show that Indian manufacturers even with transfer of technology can keep up with the strictest quality norms.I wish Force had spent sometime in increasing the quality norms of its own offering the Force One,after having been associated with high quality manufacturing for so long.
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