Tata Ultra platform ready to prove its mettle in HCVs

The Ultra platform first introduced way back in 2014 in the intermediate commercial vehicle becomes enormously popular among the truck buyers. Stepping-up, the market leader expanded this modern platform into its HCV range. We look at the three-star Ultra trucks unveiled at the Auto Expo 2020.

Tata Motors first introduced the Prima Truck range -labeled as 'World Truck' back in 2009, ushering a completely new, modern and advance truck in India. The Prima back then was genuinely revolutionary and far ahead of its times. Fast-forward a decade in 2020, the Prima isn't alone the most modern truck available in the market but has helped transform the Indian trucking industry in more than one way.

Tata Motors true to its character of paving the way for innovation and setting trends in the industry introduced the Ultra range of new truck platform in 2014. Since then, the Ultra range of trucks have come a long way when they first appeared into India's commercial vehicle industry. This modern platform has changed the face of the Indian truck Industry with its more contemporary and stylish look but also equally in performance and productivity.

ULTRA trucks bring in global design that matches superior look with greater comfort, higher fuel-efficiency and low cost of ownership for evolving transporting needs of truck owners. This stride by Tata Motors also encouraged its rivals to look at those aspects; consequently, more and more new trucks started to appear on the Indian trucking industry scene. Taking a step further, Tata Motors is trying to replicate the success of the Ultra platform into its heavy-duty segment. The company displayed some of the products at the Auto Expo 2020. We look at them closely to give you a little peek into them.

Ultra EX 3021.S

The Ultra EX 3021.S BSVI a prime-mover tractor-trailer developed by the company in the heavy-duty range. This is a clear intent of Tata Motors to expand the highly successful Ultra platform into the heavy truck range.

The key characteristic of this modern truck is the incredible new generation BSVI engine with a maximum power of 200 HP @2200 rpm and a superior torque of 850 Nm. Tata Motors promises extremely lower turnaround time, which directly helps truck owners earn more through higher trips with greater speed and improved accelerations. Another higher productivity aspect of this truck is a comfortable cabin with higher ergonomics, which will help less driver fatigue and longer driving times. This 30T GVW truck offers a competitive payload of 14.2T for a trailer with the single tyre on each twin axle.

Some of the key features include an impressive 7-inch screen music system with speakers, an integrated digital instrument cluster, the truck interior trims are washable, which make them look aesthetically good with longer durability. It comes with two drive modes-heavy and eco for better mileage and driving comfort along with gearshift advisor. The truck is fitted with advanced telematics solutions too.

T.16 Sleeper AMT

The Ultra T.16 sleeper AMT truck is Tata Motors' attempt to address rapidly changing transportation dynamics. This is the first 10T payload truck from Tata Motors equipped with Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), this gearbox comes with Direct Drive Technology which reduces fatigue and improves the joy of driving. Today all major cities and highways are getting increasingly congested, thus decreasing the average truck distance any truck cover in each day, an AMT technology help driver to stay productive even during slower speed and longer-hours of driving.

The strongest chassis complement this with a bolted design for enhanced modularity rolled from 800 high strength steel with high tensile strength along with long straight member – multiple wheelbases options. The front suspension is a parabolic leaf for smooth ride and comfort at variable loads while the rear is Semi-Elliptical leaf spring with additional tuned shock absorbers.

The Ultra T.16 sleeper truck delivers on the agile transportation needs across various business applications. This modern truck comes with a new-generation cabin, designed for comfortable driving, spacious interiors, and 1+2 seating. This truck is developed to delight both the fleet owners and the and drivers who get a vehicle that is not only comfortable to drive but offers higher productivity. The T.16 comes with Ultra cabin with sleeper birth with a GVW of 16T and deck length of 20,24 and 32ft.

Ultra T.7 Electric

While the future of the automobile is increasingly moving electric globally, both personal and commercial transportation. India is still a long way from considerable EV transition and yet leading OEMs are not turning away from this reality. Tata Motors is working on alternative fuel and EV technologies for several years now in the commercial vehicle division. Besides diesel, the company has powertrain ready in CNG, LNG, hydrogen, fuel-cell and hybrid and full electric. Taking a step further, the company introduced the T.7 full-electric intermediate commercial vehicles on the Ultra platform, which was among the start highlight at the Auto Expo 2020.

Developed keeping in mind Indian roads T.7 is suitable for city transportation use to move goods effortlessly across several business applications. It gets the first-in-segment Tata electric motor generating 220 KW at peak for driving comfort, on-road performance, and responsiveness move even in demanding operating conditions with exceptional gradient climbing ability of 26%. The direct-drive technology removes the increased driving fatigue in the congested city traffic conditions and increases driving pleasure.

The T.7 Ultra Narrow Cab comes with driver plus 2 seating configuration and crash tested. The cabin is 1.9 mt wide all-steel make with a panoramic view. The battery capacity is 62.5 kWh – Octillion Make - (10S1P) with a peak motor power of 220Kw and torque of 2800 Nm and 24V electrical system. The charger type is off-board DC fast charging with approximately 2 hours of charging time. Tata Motors promises a 100 km range per charge, which is quite suitable for city transportation needs. The maximum speed is standard 80 km and payload of 3.6-4.9T range.

The new Ultra trucks will shortly find their way into the market with retail sales and the customers will soon get to experience them. And Tata Motors is undoubtedly aiming to delight its customers with this new range of HCVs. We will follow this journey closely to report on customer experience on these new trucks. Stay tuned to know more.