Ashok Leyland Ecomet 1415HE vs Mahindra Furio 14 vs BharatBenz 1415R: Specs Comparison 

One of the key growth driver in the overall truck segment, the intermediate trucks have become highly important for the customers and OEMs. We compare three vital trucks that are widely recognized brands in the 14T category to help you make the right decision.

The intermediate trucks segment has emerged as a vital growth driver for truck makers. The demand is fueled by increased consumption, sustained demand for FMCG and white goods and booming e-commerce sector in India. The ICV trucks have wide sub-segments ranging between 8-15T gross weight. The ICVs are used for transporting an extensive range of applications including fruits & vegetables, parcel & courier, pharma, milk & frozen food, FMCG, industrial goods, reefer, container, textile, LPG cylinders, and e-commerce, among other sectors. The 14T gross weight truck category within the ICVs is the most prominent that attracts customers from many logistics needs. 

14T Category

Typically, a 14T GVW truck carries a payload of 8-9T depending upon the size, volume and types of cargo. All the major truck makers are eyeing a higher slice of this growing market by introducing value for money trucks that offer practicality and performance at an affordable cost. Ashok Leyland, Mahindra and BharatBenz have formidable products in the overall category. In the 14T GVW segment, all of them have equally attractive products. 

Ashok Leyland Ecomet has been a highly successful and proven truck platform for decades. BharatBenz, a new entrant in the Indian trucking industry, has got some of the best ICV trucks that have made a mark in the industry within a short time. Mahindra, the challenger brand in the overall truck market, was missing from the vital ICV segment, and the company now brings the modern and highly promising Furio range of ICV to take on its rivals. We take three products from each one of the OEMs to compare them as to what they offer.  

Powertrain 

The Ashok Leyland Ecomet 1415 HE gets the highly reliable H series, 4-cylinder CRS with iGen6 technology engine. It produces 150hp of power at a maximum torque of 450 Nm. Mahindra Furio 14 is fitted with Mahindra’s in-house mDi Tech. This 4-cylinder engine produces 138hp of power at a whopping 525 Nm of torque and is tuned to a 6-speed overdrive synchro gearbox packed with fuel-smart technology for higher mileage. 

The BharatBenz 1415R gets an all-new 4D34i, 4-cylinder engine with the power of 147hp, which churns out 460 Nm of torque, tuned to a highly optimized G85, 6-speeds mechanical gearbox with synchromesh gears. 

The engine is almost identical in terms of power, and the torque figure ranges slightly at different levels. However, truck makers have recognised the need for higher power engines for today’s dynamics in cargo transportation needs. The ICV segment has moved from the earlier generation 120hp to 150hp engine sizes after the introduction of stringent BS6 emissions that resulted in a totally revamped truck. 

Aggregates

Besides the engine, what really matters to the truck owner is the quality of aggregates that goes well with the powertrain. On the Ecomet 1315HE gets a fully floating single-speed rear axle and forged I section -reverse Elliot type front axle, suspensions in semi-elliptic multi-leaf and Full air dual line, and Parking brakes on the rear. 

Furio 14 comes with semi-elliptical suspension and heavy-duty axles to carry all kinds of cargo, and power-steering is offered as a standard for comfortable driving. BharatBenz 1415R also gets suspension in multileaf spring, brakes in pneumatic, foot-operated, dual line with ABS, optional anti-roll bar on both front & rear, the steering is hydraulic power-assisted. 

Cabin

BharatBenz 1415R cabin gets safety features including seatbelt reminder, demister, daytime running lights, reverse parking assistance and rear camera. The comfort feature includes optional AC and HVAC, music system, power windows, central locking, static steering for easy navigation and tilt & telescopic steering. 

Mahindra has also equipped the Furio 14 cabin with comfort and safety, and has eight air vents and 4 spoke tilt and telescopic power steering for easier driving. The cabin is a walkthrough and offers generous space that can be used for rest during trips. 

Ashok Leyland Ecomet comes with an identical cabin that offers practicality, comfort and safety with features including tilt & telescopic power steering, music system, and roomy & spacious cabin. 

Key Dimensions

To allow you to carry cargo that high volume or heavy Ecomet 1414HE is available between 14ft to 22ft cargo bodies on wheelbase ranging 3250 mm to 5200 mm. Likewise, Furio 14 comes with a high side deck, and a close cargo body and the wheelbase range is 4500 mm, 5100 mm, 5450 mm. The 1415R comes in 3360mm, 3760mm, 4250mm, 4800mm and 5050mm wheelbase and 14.6ft, 17ft, 20ft, 22f, 24ft loading span. 

The 14T trucks typically go for short to medium trips covering smaller distances; thus, BharatBenz 1415R gets day cabin, while Mahindra Furio and Ashok Leyland Ecomet is available in day and sleeper cabin. The Furio fuel tank is 190L, Ecomet comes with 185L and 1415R has two fuel tank options of 171L & 215L. For better mileage, pickup and faster delivery the quality of tyre is important for these trucks, all the truck gets the same 8.25 R20 size tyre. Mahindra & BharatBenz offers both tubeless and radial tyre options. 

Considering the changing dynamics of intermediate trucks, customers want a versatile and highly reliable truck-that is safe, comfortable and makes a good amount of money with lower maintenance. It is evident, all the three-trucks offer unique benefits that are at the heart of customers' business enhancement and profitability.  

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