BharatBenz 1617R

1617R Highlights

August 7, 2020: The 1617R is one of the best selling medium-duty trucks of BharatBenz. This truck has successfully established the company in the highly competitive intermediate commercial vehicle segment where Eicher, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Ashok Leyland have equally promising products offerings. The medium-duty 1617R is 6-tyre 16200 kg of gross vehicle weight truck, packed with features, powerful new modern powertrain, offers durability, and lower maintenance cost. Apart from the performance, this truck carries a distinctive look with the signature factory fitted cabin. It also easy to the driver with a comfortable in-cabin experience, boosting the overall driver performance and truck productivity. 

The 1617R is powered by BharatBenz’s 4D34i engine that produces 168hp of power and a maximum torque of 520 Nm. The suspensions are multi-leaf springs tyre, fitted with anti-roll bar feature; the service brakes are pneumatic, foot-operated with dual-line ABS, and the parking brake is spring actuated with hand brake valve, the front, and rear brakes are drum tyre. The steering is the hydraulic power-assisted type, and the fuel tank size is 215/220L. 

The gradeability of this MDT is 23.9% and 26.7%, and the turning radius is 17.3m, 19.3m, and 22.6m for respective wheels. This truck offered in a sleeper cabin; this truck is available in cargo loading bodies of 20, 24, and 32ft, respectively. This truck is targeted for a wide range of applications in the cargo deliveries, 1617R comes in three wheelbases of 5100, 5900, and 6700 mm. 

BharatBenz 1617R Truck- Expert Review

Overview

BharatBenz, a division of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) is one of the prominent players in the Indian truck market. The company has an array of products in various categories like heavy-duty haulage, medium trucks, tippers, and tractors. One of its popular offerings in the heavy-duty cargo trucks category is the 1617R. It is powered by the company’s Profit technology that blends world-class technology and a rugged build which makes it best suited for Indian rugged roads and maximizes the profitability. Its superior power, gradeability, and torque make it capable of handling any work and terrain. The 1617R truck is best suited to carry FMCG products, agricultural goods, market loads, small machinery, crates, and boxes. Offered in 17 different variants and three different wheelbases, the BharatBenz 1617R starts retailing with a price tag of 13.88 Lakhs (ex-showroom price ). There are two color schemes to choose from - Arctic White and Golden Brown.

Specs

Engine - 4D34i, four-cylinder, 3907cc

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - 16.2 tonnes

Rear axle ratio - 5.57

Minimum ground clearance - 270mm

Maximum gradeability - 21.5 percent

Power steering - yes

Engine and performance

It draws power from a 3,907cc, 4D34i, four-cylinder, BS-IV engine which churns out a maximum power of 165.2 bhp at 2,500 rpm and a peak torque of 520 Nm between 1,500 to 2,000 rpm. This power is transmitted to the wheels through a G85-6F+1R, mechanical synchromesh setup, using a six-speed gearbox. The power delivery is smooth and consistent to elevate the truck’s performance. It can clock a top speed of 80kmph and has a fuel tank capacity of 200 liters. The maximum gradeability of the 1617R is 21.5 percent.

Vehicle build and load capacity

Like any other Bharat Benz truck, the 1617R poses a strong build quality. The truck is suitable for long runs and can easily handle the rugged Indian roads. The base model comes with a wheelbase of 5,100mm. It is 8,600mm long, 2,440mm wide and 2,600mm high. The minimum ground clearance is 270mm. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the 1617R is 16.2 tonnes.

Handling and suspension

It comes fitted with hydraulic power-assisted steering to assist the handling. Suspension duties are performed by semi-elliptic leaf spring with shock absorbers at the front and semi-elliptic laminated leaf spring at the rear. An optional anti-roll bar (front and rear) is also available.

Braking and safety

Braking responsibilities rest with pneumatic, foot-operated, dual-line service brakes and pneumatically operated spring parking brake. ABS is offered as standard. Other safety features include fog lights, hill hold, tubeless tyres, and seat belts for both driver and assistant.

Design and comfort

The 1617R poses a simplistically designed modern looking cargo truck, which is apt for carrying FMCG products, agricultural goods, market loads, small machinery, crates, and boxes. It is easy to get inside the tiltable sleeper cabin with a berth, using a single step. Inside the cabin, you will find an AC, 3-way adjustable seats, armrests, seat belts for both occupants and an informative instrument console.