Sonalika Engines to Power Tavera

SS-Traveller · 20th July 2010, 09:13

Taveras are so popular with with cabbies because of their legendary fuel economy, though plenty of them crib about the high cost of maintenance and front suspension issues. With the new engine proposed, the fuel economy ought to go up a tad more (smaller displacement common rail engine), and the high cost of engine parts should also come down. A win-win situation, hopefully.

agspins · 20th July 2010, 14:40

Good move..now what Gm needs is to give Tavera facelift a la Panther.This will also attract individual buyers rather than just cabs.For last couple of years, we are hearing a facelift in the pipeline( i think the pipe has choked)..
http://www.isuzu-astra.com/comm_img/wallpaper02.jpg

Skyline GT-R · 7th April 2011, 21:30

Is it true that ICML Rhino has stopped production & company will only build engines for BS4 Chevy Tavera?

amtak · 7th April 2011, 22:06

I don't think it was selling that much. Luckily, their engine would get them more money than what the Rhino would have fetched them. who knows, they might just buy the dyes of Tavera when it goes out of production?

akhilesh51 · 13th April 2011, 17:05

I thought the engine too was not their own and licensed from some other manufacturer. In such a case, why wouldn't Chevy just buy the license themselves.

Further, it seems improbable that a company with its lineage in GM has no homegrown engine for its vehicles and needs to purchase engine from a small-time vehicle manufacturer in India.

drsnt · 13th April 2011, 17:39

As far as the product RHINO is concerned the product was dead from beginning. It had serious reliability issues and also high speed stability issues. One of my friends owns Rhino, bought thinking that it will be a good option for value for money 8 seater but he is struck with it now as most of the dealership have now closed.

Now he has ample free time as he has no where to go for service as he used to visit twice a month to service center

ICML closing production is not surprising as the sales had almost stopped and dealerships leaving company.

kiku007 · 13th April 2011, 18:21

I'd be happy if this news is true. The rhino was one shamelessly copied product. Right down to the qualis colour schemes.

georgev · 13th April 2011, 18:55

then what happened to that engine which is suppose come on the Tavera ?

Champion · 13th April 2011, 19:24

Hi Mates, AFAIK the Rhino had an outsourced 2.4Ltr Turbo-Diesel Isuzu engine. And the Tavera too sports the same. I could be wrong but when I checked the Rhino out 2 years back, I remember seeing an Isuzu under the hood.

However, it would be good for the company if it limits to selling Tractors (which it is good at) and unlike Mahindra which clicked, ICML didn't. But again Mahindra were already there and their success is just a natural progression after so many years. Time to bid Adieu to the RHINO!!!

Cherio
Champion

rajeev k · 13th April 2011, 20:55

The Rhino RX is being produced and it appears from the following link that only the old version is stopped. News item of today in Autocar Professional.

Autocar Professional

Rovergen · 13th April 2011, 21:53

I Do not think it is a isuzu Turbo engine , but it was a Rover Turbo engine , this is a variant of the Queens award winning Rover turbo desiel engine . was a blessing on pocket .

maglev · 14th April 2011, 01:04

Its good if they survive, good or bad they provide jobs to many. Also since I have personally seen & driven a year old Rhino with around 30K on the odo, I was pretty impressed.

CARDEEP · 16th October 2011, 12:21

The facelifted Chevy Tavera is seen doing cold weather testing in Manali, Himachal Pradesh as per Motorbeam:

2012 Chevrolet Tavera Facelift Spied | MotorBeam - Indian Car Bike News & Reviews

The engine is the 2L diesel mill from Sonalika that produces 100 BHP power, which also does duty on Sonalika Rhino. Since this engine meets BS4 norms, it means this muv can be back in BS4 cities.

How good is the Rhino engine, as one of my family friends who owns a taxi service in Haryana aren't exactly a fan of the same? Hope GM tune it better.

shineshine · 16th October 2011, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by CARDEEP

The facelifted Chevy Tavera is seen doing cold weather testing in Manali, Himachal Pradesh as per Motorbeam:

2012 Chevrolet Tavera Facelift Spied | MotorBeam - Indian Car Bike News & Reviews

The engine is the 2L diesel mill from Sonalika that produces 100 BHP power, which also does duty on Sonalika Rhino. Since this engine meets BS4 norms, it means this muv can be back in BS4 cities.

How good is the Rhino engine, as one of my family friends who owns a taxi service in Haryana aren't exactly a fan of the same? Hope GM tune it better.

But, the comments which I received from a couple of Rhino Taxi drivers was very good. Both of them had high praises for the engine, especially the driveability.

Sheel · 17th October 2011, 00:24

I have a Rhino Taxi near my home and he manages to squeeze out 16kmpl+ most of the times. It spins at 90kmph@2,000 rpm and the Rhino has done over 2.5L and still running strong.

20th July 2010, 09:13	#31
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,164 Thanked: 27,143 Times View My Garage	Taveras are so popular with with cabbies because of their legendary fuel economy, though plenty of them crib about the high cost of maintenance and front suspension issues. With the new engine proposed, the fuel economy ought to go up a tad more (smaller displacement common rail engine), and the high cost of engine parts should also come down. A win-win situation, hopefully.
	() Thanks

20th July 2010, 14:40	#32
agspins Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MH-31 Posts: 1,653 Thanked: 508 Times View My Garage	Good move..now what Gm needs is to give Tavera facelift a la Panther.This will also attract individual buyers rather than just cabs.For last couple of years, we are hearing a facelift in the pipeline( i think the pipe has choked).. http://www.isuzu-astra.com/comm_img/wallpaper02.jpg
	() Thanks

7th April 2011, 21:30	#33
Skyline GT-R BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dubai Posts: 600 Thanked: 232 Times View My Garage	ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? Is it true that ICML Rhino has stopped production & company will only build engines for BS4 Chevy Tavera?
	() Thanks

7th April 2011, 22:06	#34
amtak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai - The city of Sea Link!!! Posts: 2,915 Thanked: 901 Times View My Garage	Re: ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? I don't think it was selling that much. Luckily, their engine would get them more money than what the Rhino would have fetched them. who knows, they might just buy the dyes of Tavera when it goes out of production?
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 17:05	#35
akhilesh51 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jaipur, RAJ Posts: 631 Thanked: 339 Times	Re: ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? I thought the engine too was not their own and licensed from some other manufacturer. In such a case, why wouldn't Chevy just buy the license themselves. Further, it seems improbable that a company with its lineage in GM has no homegrown engine for its vehicles and needs to purchase engine from a small-time vehicle manufacturer in India.
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 17:39	#36
drsnt BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: JH/BHARAT Posts: 383 Thanked: 451 Times	Re: ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? As far as the product RHINO is concerned the product was dead from beginning. It had serious reliability issues and also high speed stability issues. One of my friends owns Rhino, bought thinking that it will be a good option for value for money 8 seater but he is struck with it now as most of the dealership have now closed. Now he has ample free time as he has no where to go for service as he used to visit twice a month to service center ICML closing production is not surprising as the sales had almost stopped and dealerships leaving company.
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 18:21	#37
kiku007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: AU Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 7,197 Times	Re: ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? I'd be happy if this news is true. The rhino was one shamelessly copied product. Right down to the qualis colour schemes.
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 18:55	#38
georgev BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: KL-05 Posts: 233 Thanked: 7 Times	Re: ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? then what happened to that engine which is suppose come on the Tavera ?
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 19:24	#39
Champion BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dubai / Madraspattinam Posts: 159 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	Re: ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? Hi Mates, AFAIK the Rhino had an outsourced 2.4Ltr Turbo-Diesel Isuzu engine. And the Tavera too sports the same. I could be wrong but when I checked the Rhino out 2 years back, I remember seeing an Isuzu under the hood. However, it would be good for the company if it limits to selling Tractors (which it is good at) and unlike Mahindra which clicked, ICML didn't. But again Mahindra were already there and their success is just a natural progression after so many years. Time to bid Adieu to the RHINO!!! Cherio Champion
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 20:55	#40
rajeev k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Emerging Metro Posts: 3,352 Thanked: 1,947 Times	Re: ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? The Rhino RX is being produced and it appears from the following link that only the old version is stopped. News item of today in Autocar Professional. Autocar Professional
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 21:53	#41
Rovergen BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 122 Thanked: 37 Times	Re: ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? I Do not think it is a isuzu Turbo engine , but it was a Rover Turbo engine , this is a variant of the Queens award winning Rover turbo desiel engine . was a blessing on pocket .
	() Thanks

14th April 2011, 01:04	#42
maglev BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 840 Thanked: 153 Times View My Garage	Re: ICML Sonalika Rhino stops production? Its good if they survive, good or bad they provide jobs to many. Also since I have personally seen & driven a year old Rhino with around 30K on the odo, I was pretty impressed.
	() Thanks

16th October 2011, 12:21	#43
CARDEEP Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NCR Posts: 3,248 Thanked: 2,522 Times	Re: Sonalika Engines to Power Tavera The facelifted Chevy Tavera is seen doing cold weather testing in Manali, Himachal Pradesh as per Motorbeam: 2012 Chevrolet Tavera Facelift Spied \| MotorBeam - Indian Car Bike News & Reviews The engine is the 2L diesel mill from Sonalika that produces 100 BHP power, which also does duty on Sonalika Rhino. Since this engine meets BS4 norms, it means this muv can be back in BS4 cities. How good is the Rhino engine, as one of my family friends who owns a taxi service in Haryana aren't exactly a fan of the same? Hope GM tune it better.
	() Thanks

17th October 2011, 00:24	#45
Sheel Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Purnea (Bihar) Posts: 9,588 Thanked: 14,404 Times View My Garage	Re: Sonalika Engines to Power Tavera I have a Rhino Taxi near my home and he manages to squeeze out 16kmpl+ most of the times. It spins at 90kmph@2,000 rpm and the Rhino has done over 2.5L and still running strong.
	(1) Thanks