Ashok Leyland Dost+

Dost+ Highlights

30-July-20: Among the most popular truck in the small commercial vehicle segment in India. The Dost platform from Ashok Leyland has really evolved into a much matured and loved one product. Over the years, the company has refined this little mini-truck to make it more appealing and, most importantly, enable truck owners to earn more revenue. The changes include higher power engines, better fuel mileage, and lower cost of ownership too. The Dost family of the truck has successfully established Ashok Leyland into the LCV category of cargo trucks. Even, it entered this fast-growing segment relatively late, yet, garnered a significant market that is expanding rapidly. 

Dost+ variant is the slightly higher specs variant of the original Dost is now the primary model. Taking the customer feedback and the increasing demand for this small truck, Ashok Leyland has upgraded this truck to stringent emission norms and equipped it with a higher power engine and more rugged aggregates to take on the challenging cargo delivery requirements. The key competitors of this truck are the market leader Mahindra Bolero and Tata Motors Super Ace, and even Yodha pickup.

The BS6 Dost+ get 1.5 L, 3-cylinders, BS6 diesel engine with 1478 cc of displacement, and substantially higher power of 80HP and 190 Nm of torque. Both the key figures (power and torque) have been enhanced considerably compared to the BS4 predecessor. Dost+ is 2805 kg of gross vehicle weight vehicle and carries a rated payload of 1500 kg effortlessly. All the major aggregates such as gearbox, axle, suspensions, and clutch are high quality, undergoing intense testing and validations for higher durability. The dimensions of this truck are length 4630 mm, height 1900 mm, wheelbase 2510 mm. The cargo load body (L x W x H) is 2645x1620x380 (8.7ft x 5.3ft x 1.2ft).

Ashok Leyland Dost+ Pickup- Expert Review

Overview:

Dost+ belongs to the large family of light commercial vehicle produced by Ashok Leyland. This award-winning mini truck ensures last mile shipment of goods from overcrowded city roads and severe terrains to even the most isolated parts of the country. Due to its fuel efficiency and other features, Dost+ has become a more viable option for the new entrepreneurs due to its practical city application which allows it to pass through smaller lanes and help with the door-step shipment of goods. The Dost+ is offered in three variants, namely Ashok Leyland Dost+ LE, Ashok Leyland Dost+ LS and Ashok Leyland Dost+ LX. The essential features of the trucks are similar across the lineup. The advanced variants, however, get some additional features embedded for extra comfort and convenience of its user. The vehicle offers amazing features like superior mileage, excellent pickup, larger payload, more increased space and bigger tyres which make the delivery more secure and comfortable. Moreover, It assists its customers to manage their services in a cost-effective way.

Pros:

• Extra Mileage
• Extended Payload – 1.475 Ton
• Upgraded Power and Pickup

Cons:

• Absence of Disk Brakes

Exterior:

The Ashok Leyland Dost+ holds a gross vehicle weight of 2750 kg along with a rated payload of 1475 kg. The vehicle stands at a length of 4630 mm and height of 1900 mm. The dimension of the vehicle under fully loaded condition stands at 2645 mm length,1620 mm width and a height of FSD 380 mm. The vehicle comes with a non-tiltable cabin in a deck body. The Dost+ gets a wheelbase of 2510 mm, offering enhanced stability to the vehicle. A designed durable chassis frame ensures that the vehicle carries load smoothly without laying any extra stress over the suspension of the vehicle. The capacity of the fuel tank is at 40 litres. Additionally, the exterior features of the vehicle are the same for all the variants.

Interior:

The truck gets a roomy day type cabin with a suitable amount of headroom and dual-tone interiors. The moulded roof with integrated roof lamp makes the interior more attractive. The power-assisted hydraulic steering allows the driver to have better control over the vehicle at its fully loaded condition. However, the power steering is absent in case of Ashok Leyland Dost+ LE. Some basic features including a centre cushion, adjustable driver seat and a seat for co-driver, mobile holder and charging point, bottle holder, a sliding window behind the driver seat are available for all the variants. There is an Air Conditioner in Ashok Leyland Dost+ LX for extra comfort which is not available for the other two variants.

Performance:

The Ashok Leyland Dost+ is powered by an advanced 1478 cc 1.5 L TDCR engine, which delivers a power of 60hp at 3300 RPM and 170Nm torque at 1600-2400 RPM ensuring good pickup and better turnaround time. This configuration is identical for all the variants available in the market. However, the transmission duty of the vehicle is operated by a fully synchromesh five-speed gearbox with overdrive and a clutch of 240 mm dia diaphragm single dry plate type.

Safety:

Ashok Leyland has provided all the necessary safety components to its popular light commercial vehicle, Dost+. The vehicle has an advanced load-sensing proportioning valve with vacuum-assisted hydraulic booster brakes which ensures safe and secure delivery. Besides this, the Dost+ gets a rigid front suspension with parabolic leaf spring with three double-acting shock absorber and rear semi-elliptical leaf spring suspension with double-acting six nos shock absorber for carrying the load effortlessly and safely even on rough terrain. The tubeless tyres provide a tight grip over the ground due to its designed and unique tread pattern which helps the vehicle to be stable. Though the anti-lock braking system is absent, the truck gets seat belts, fog lights as other safety features.

Verdict:

The Ashok Leyland Dost+ is a popular light commercial vehicle which is suitable for the transportation of goods into congested city streets, and through critical terrains. The vehicle is designed and manufactured in such a way that its robust frame and powerful engine assures steady and safe shipment. Though the required safety features are included within the vehicle, for extra safety, the driver has to be careful while driving the vehicle with its fully stacked condition.