Tata Motors has put up a strong show by unveiling three new vehicles -- the Safari Storme SUV, the Tata Ultra, the company’s new LCV and ICV range, and the LPT 3723, India’s first five-axle rigid truck. They will be commercially launched in the next financial year.
The automaker also showcased its alternate fuel technology capability through four concepts – the Nano CNG, the Indigo Manza diesel-electric hybrid car, the Starbus Fuel Cell (hydrogen) and the Magic Iris CNG. The Tata Motors portfolio already includes a full electric vehicle, the Tata Indica Vista Electric Vehicle, and CNG-electric hybrid buses.
Speaking at the event, P M Telang, managing director – India Operations, said: “With the Safari Storme, the iconic Safari becomes a contemporary SUV suited to the desires of today’s SUV lovers. The Ultra range and the LPT 3723 will create new segments and generate higher incomes for their owners. As importantly, we are displaying our progress with alternate fuel technologies towards a more comprehensive portfolio for the future.”
The highlight of the Safari Storme is its 2.2-litre 16-valve common-rail (DiCOR) engine which develop 140bhp with a variable geometry turbo, mated with a five-speed manual transmission.
The Tata Ultra LCV & ICV range will comprise a series of variants from 5 to 14 tonnes. The range will be powered by new-generation 3-litre (138hp) and 5-five (168hp) DiCOR 16-valve engines, offering higher aggregate life, longer service intervals and low NVH. The company says there are host of driver-friendly aids including a comfortable cabin, a dash-mounted cable shift gear and hydraulic cabin tilt mechanism. Also, the instrument cluster – which shows live and trip mileage, clutch and brake wear, seat and door ajar warning, water-in-fuel indicator, economy assistance -- permits continuous vehicle monitoring.
Interestingly, the Ultra’s high strength Domex 650 steel rolled chassis frame with high tensile strength and straight long member construction allows the platform the flexibility of multiple wheel bases at multiple payload points. The vehicle range also gets radial tyres, parabolic leaf springs, tuned shock absorbers and disc brakes.
The Tata LPT 3723 is India’s first five-axle rigid truck, powered by a Cummins 6BT 5.9-litre engine. The company says, the vehicle with its payload of 25 tonnes will help change transportation economics by reducing the cost per tonne-kilometre.
Other key displays include the Starbus Fuel Cell Concept developed with support from the Government of India’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Paradiso G7 Multi-axle Coach, jointly developed by Tata Motors and Tata Marcopolo Motors on the Tata LPO2138 rear engine platform.
Tata Motors’ other displays include, in passenger vehicles, a Nano concept, the Tata Pixel concept, the Indica Vista Concept S2, the Manza Nova concept, the Aria – AT concept, the Sumo Gold and the Xenon concept. Other commercial vehicles displayed are the Prima 7548.S - Concept, Prima 3138.K AT, Venture Ambulance, Ace Refresh and Super Ace (left-hand drive).