Tata Motors Ultra ILCV range explored 

If you're out in the market for light or intermediate commercial vehicles, then market leader Tata Motors has an extensive modern Ultra range of trucks. Starting from 7T to 16T GVW- the Ultra trucks have redefined the Indian trucking. We explore this splendid platform to help you understand what is on offer to make an informed decision with your next truck.

The last decade has been transformative for the Indian trucking industry in more than one way. The Indian truck sector has witnessed some fundamental and remarkably impacting regulatory changes and huge progress in technologies. This rapid change has fundamentally altered how trucks are being deployed in the transport, logistics and infrastructure sectors. The growing road network, logistics and transport infrastructure and the emergence of hub-and-spoke transportation models have accelerated the demand for HCV and light and intermediate commercial vehicles (ILCVs) equally at two ends of the spectrum. 

To cater to the new discerning truck buyer, OEMs have stepped up in a big way to bring modern, technological advance and highly productive trucks. Market leader Tata Motors has always been at the forefront of leading the domestic trucking industry to the next level. The introduction of the Ultra platform of trucks is one such step by the company to carry a much-needed refreshing change in the light and medium commercial vehicles. The Ultra platform of trucks started with the light-duty applications with modern cabin, stylish and aesthetically appealing look have expanded into the medium and heavy segment too. 

We take an in-depth look at the Ultra platform in the light and medium-duty segment, starting from the 7T to 16T GVW, covering the industry's fast-growing ILCV segments. The continuous demand in the last-mile cargo transportation and the emergence of the hub-and-spoke model post the GST implementation has fueled the proliferation of the 7-16T GVW segments. Consequently, spiraling into a highly competitive segment as all the truck makers are eyeing an opportunity to expand the markets. 

Ultra Platform 

Tata Motors bought the Ultra platform in 2014, complementing its existing highly successful and popular 407 and LPT ILCV range. The goal was to take the ILCV segment to the next level by offering appealing, modern, and technologically advanced trucks. The platform's most noteworthy character has to be the all-new modern narrow cabin giving it a distinguished look. An artistic, stylish yet simple classic cabin made the truck Ultra truck stand out when they arrived on the Indian trucking scene. It isn't just the look, but the cabin is crash tested, making them the safest. Let's see the products now. 

Product Categories 

To cover the vital tonnage points in the vast ILCV range, the Ultra range comes with over 8-different models between the 7T-16T GVW categories. The T.7 Ultra is the light-duty 7T GVW model as an entry-level model. The T.7 is suitable for the city's logistic needs as it is quite versatile and flexible to support all business applications. In the 8-9T GVW category comes the T.9 with 8.7T GVW for medium, short-haul, and city transportation needs. Again at the core of this truck is the key combination of productivity and performance. T.7 and T.9 both share the same powertrain, consisting of 100hp of power and 300 Nm of torque. 

There are three models in the key 10-12T segment to choose from-namely, T.10, T.11; both the trucks get the 125hp of power engine with a peak torque of 390Nm. To cater to the high-end tonnage categories, there are T.12, T.14, T.16 and T.16SL in the 12-16T categories. T.12 and T.14 Ultra fitted with the 155hp engine with 450Nm of torque to take on some of the large cargo-carrying requirements. The top-end T.16 and T.16SL gets the powerful 180hp of engine with a massive 590 Nm of torque.

Tata Motors' strong engine family makes its formidable players by offering trucks at various tonnages covering vast applications. The Ultra ILCV range gets quite capable and proven engine families for reliable and high productive trucks for profitable business needs.   

Inside the Cabin

It is not just the exterior that the Ultra truck makes elegant, but the cabin is equally impressive on the inside with a comfortable and superior in-cabin experience. It gets a driver plus two co-passenger seating capacity, 45 degrees tiltable cabin for easy access to the engine and effortless maintenance. There is more utility space inside with a storage box and bottle holder. The comfortable seating with Melba Fabric for seats for better comfort both in Indian's extreme summer and winter. 

To make the driver's life easy, a 2-way adjustable driver seat with an integrated headrest. The steering gets an integrated hydraulic power steering and stability at high speeds. The tilt and telescopic steering are adjustable to the driver's height and comfort. Likewise, operating the gear is easy with the dashboard-mounted gearbox with GSL cable in place of the mechanical rod shift.

The Ultra trucks are fitted with a new instrument cluster with an average fuel economy indicator, distance to empty, digital service reminder, digital air & oil pressure gauges, digital DEF gauge, digital battery voltage indicator. Moreover, other indicators for DPF regeneration, SCR system fault, high exhaust system temperature, air filter clogged, low DEF, etc. The driver also gets a gear shift advisor to operating the truck at the right gears depending upon the terrain and load conditions. The power take-off sign makes it effortless to manage the truck to its highest potential and most productively. 

Powerful Aggregates

Apart from the looks and comfortable cabin for superior performance, Tata Motors has developed highly optimized aggregates such as the powerful and reliable engine with an excellent flat torque characteristic for lesser gear shift effort and higher driving comfort, the enhanced driving performance, fine combination of low end and flat torque range keeping in mind the higher mileage. 

Equally reliable and robust Tata's gearbox, strongest chassis in with a bolted design for increased modularity made of high strength steel with high tensile strength. Equally strong brakes with air S-cam, which are maintenance vacuum pumps. The suspension is higher quality with parabolic leaf and semi-elliptical leaf spring with rubber bush to carry every load effortlessly, the shock absorbers are tuned as per the vehicle's gross weight. The axles are critical for load carrying capabilities and also less prone to leakage. 

Compelling Offering

The exhaustive Ultra ILCV range is an impressive product line-up from Tata Motors covering the key categories across segments. This undoubtedly makes the customers spoilt for choices and leave a little for competition. It is quite evident that the Ultra range of ILCVs is exceptionally well built, taking into account today's most demanding, challenging and rapidly evolving transport and logistics needs of customers. 

Ensuring the Ultra trucks are the most trusted business partner of its customers, Tata Motors offers the power of 6 with the new BS6 range of trucks. These six key promises are essentially adding extra value by offering what matters the most to the consumers and offering more for his investments. The six promises are the power of profit, performance, driving comfort, convenience and connectivity, value and safety and security. The market leader assures the customers with a guaranteed performance of the Ultra trucks. 

Also Read: Tata Motors introduces a future-ready commercial vehicle range