Mumbai, October 7, 2013: Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled an eco-friendly Bolero Pik-Up Flatbed CNG. This, it says, is the first CNG Large Pickup model (1-1.5 tonne payload) to be introduced in the country.

The new variant, priced at Rs 5.42 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi), is based on the Bolero Pik-Up Flatbed, M&M’s largest selling model in the large pickup category. According to M&M, sales have grown 31 percent as compared to 15 percent for the industry.

The Pik-Up Flatbed is an addition to M&M’s current CNG line-up that includes the Alfa Cargo CNG in the small three-wheeler cargo category and prior to that, the Champion CNG in the large three-wheeler cargo category. The Bolero Pik-Up Flatbed CNG aims to meet the needs of a large section of customers in Delhi for a pick up vehicle that is fuel-efficient and eco-friendly,” said Vivek Nayer, VP- marketing, Auto Sector, M&M.

According to Nayer, the vehicle offers savings of up to 40 percent on operational costs, as compared to a comparable diesel-run vehicle and can run for almost 300km without requiring a refill. The vehicle, powered by a 75bhp engine, complies with BS III emission norms. Its single ECU controls the ignition, fuel system and engine speed. While filling CNG, the engine will shut down completely and not start at all as a safety precaution. A battery cut-off switch is an added safety feature.

That apart, the Bolero Pik-Up Flatbed CNG has a ventilated cabin that improves air circulation and has load compensating valves that adjust the brake-force to the wheels, depending on the load being carried.

The Delhi launch aims at leveraging the potential in a market where CNG is easily available. M&M sold 8,295 units of the Bolero range in September 2013 and about 50,000 units in the current fiscal, down seven percent from the year-earlier period.