Comparison: Mahindra Furio 12 and BharatBenz 1215R

We put the Mahindra Furio 12 against the BharatBenz 1215R, as both the products look contemporary, modern, and packed with highly optimized aggregates. The 12T trucks are part of the fast growing intermediate commercial vehicle segment are built to offer higher productivity and performance. We explore them to find out whats on offer!

The intermediate commercial vehicle category is an important growing segment in the overall industry volumes. Growing consumption, a boom in the e-commerce segment, and demand for faster cargo movement in the satellite and suburban cities has led to a sustained demand for ICV trucks. Thus, the growing segment has attracted OEMs closer attention, making it extremely competitive.

The Intermediate commercial vehicles are part of the demanding day-to-day transport business needs in highly diversified applications. These are parcels and logistics, market loads, fruits and vegetables, food grains, white goods, auto parts, and industrial goods, etc. in the container, open cargo body, or reefer body options.  

The increasing growth promise in this segment has made it one of the most competitive category in the overall truck industry. All major truck makers including Tata Motors, Eicher, Ashok Leyland, BharatBenz, and Mahindra & Mahindra are eyeing a piece of this growing market. There are multiple products in this category which are quite capable and promise a lot, thus offering a lot of choices to the customers.  

The ICV category has several sub-segment with trucks at key tonnage and price points, suited for different application needs. The 12T gross vehicle weight category is one such sub-segment, and we pitch two key rivals Furio 12 and BharatBenz 1215R, against each other to compare them on critical specifications. As the name suggests, both the trucks are in the 12000 kg gross vehicle weight category. Check out the key characteristics of this category to make the right decision.  

Engine

BharatBenz 1215R is one of the prominent products in the company's medium-duty offering. This truck is fitted with a 4D34i engine, producing 150hp of power at a maximum torque of 460 Nm tuned to a 6-speed gearbox. Similarly, Mahindra Furio 12, which has debuted in 2019 after the company has developed a completely new platform, comes with an all-new engine that produces 138hp of power at higher 525 Nm of torque and fitted 6-speed overdrive synchro gearbox. Furio's 3.5L engine comes with mDi tech with Mahindra's in-house fuelsmart technology for higher power and superior fuel efficiency.

Key Aggregates

The BharatBenz 1215R gets a rear axle from top brand Dana, both the front and rear suspensions are multi-leaf spring, and the anti-roll bar for better control of the vehicle during higher speed is optional. Both the brakes are drum tye, and the service brakes are pneumatic, foot-operated in dual-line; the parking brake is spring actuated with a handbrake valve. The steering is hydraulic power-assisted, and this truck has the signature BharatBenz a day cabin.

The Furio12 is also packed with high-quality aggregates such as the 6-speed gearbox is smooth and precise to operate due to cable shift and double synchrocone. The truck gets a bigger 362 mm diemeter organic clutch, the heavy-duty rear axle with optimized gear ratios for superior fuel economy. The suspensions of Furio 12 come with Mahindra's reliability, and they are semi-elliptical and capable of taking on challenging driving conditions. The chassis on Furio 12 is designed for Indian road and operating cycle, it is I- section and tubular type, made of using high strength and low alloy material for higher durability. 

Dimensions 

The 1215R is available in three wheelbases: 4250 mm, 4800 mm and 5050 mm, the loading spans 20ft, 22ft, and 24ft, the ground clearance is 245 mm. Like all its other trucks in the MDT portfolio, the 1215R is available in a fully built cabin with chassis configuration. The fuel tank is 215L Adblue tank in 43L sizes, and the battery is 75Ah and 24V.  

Furio 12 has three wheelbases of 4500 mm, 5100mm, and 5450 mm. It comes in a 2.05 m day cabin with blower in the high side deck, and cabin and body option is also available. The fuel tanks are 190L, with a 160L option available. 

Persuasive Trucks 

Clearly, both the trucks score high in terms of overall look and feel. This is complemented with the top-notch specs, aggregates, and performance making both the trucks equally compelling. Furio 12 and BharatBenz 2015R promise far more bang to the customer bucks. BharatBenz is a new entrant in the Indian CV market, while Mahindra is the latest truck maker forayed in the fast-growing ICV segment with an all-new Furio truck range.

Both the trucks come with a fully-built factory fitted cabins which offer safety and comfort. The ICVs are often used in various applications, and both the trucks have different cargo load body options. The trucks are solidly built and can take on the daily rigor of cargo shipment needs. It is up to the customer to explore both the trucks before going ahead to buy one! 

Also Read: Comparison: Ashok Leyland Ecomet 1015HE and BharatBenz 1015R