BharatBenz 3123R

December 31, 2019: The Bharat Benz 3123R is among the most popular long-distance M&HCV segment heavy-duty haulage trucks in the market.  This Sub 31 Ton multi-axle truck with axle configuration of 8X2 is available in two-vehicle configuration options - Cabin & Chassis and Cabin with load body options. The load body options have two further choices - Fixed Side Deck and High Side Deck while the loading spans also have two choices - 24 ft and 28 ft respectively. In terms of wheelbase, again, it is offered with a choice of two separate lengths - 5775 mm and 6375 mm. The ground clearance is 264mm.

Powering the Bharat Benz 3123R is the company’s BSIV compliant 6 cylinder 6372cc Bharat Benz DE175 diesel engine. This engine produces a maximum power output of 235bhp made at 2200rpm while the peak torque rating of 850Nm arrives in the low 1200-1600rpm range. The transmission duties are taken care by Bharat Benz G85 synchromesh 6-Speed manual gearbox mated to a 395mm single dry plate type clutch with a clutch booster. The top speed is limited at 80kmph and the Bharat Benz 3123R offers a gradeability of 18.3%. The fuel tank capacity is 380 liters with diesel anti-theft strain and a separate 60-liter tank for Ad-Blue

In terms of features, the Bharat Benz 3123R offers a fully suspended cabin with power steering adjustable for tilt and telescopic function. The driver seat is 6-way adjustable while air conditioning is offered as an optional accessory. Cruise control is offered as standard. Braking is taken care by an air brake system while ABS is offered as standard.  

Overview

BharatBenz, a division of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) is a known brand for its range of modern trucks and buses. Back in 2012, the company introduced its first set of trucks which included the 3123R, a middle heavyweight truck. The company has built the truck based on the globally proven platform, known as the Mercedes Benz Axor platform. It has a gross vehicle weight of 31 tonnes and a payload capacity of 22.75 tonnes. Featuring a DE170, six-cylinder engine, which is BS-IV compliant, the truck offers powerful performance and is a great choice for hassle-free transportation of FMCG machinery, construction materials, agricultural products, packed stuff and cargo boxes. It is offered in two types of load bodies - 24 feet and 28 feet, with the option of choosing between fixed side deck and high side deck. The 3123R has especially been designed and developed to ensure that heavy load can be smoothly transported across the rugged Indian roads. It has undergone a rigorous amount of testing in a number of conditions to befit the Indian roads. The company has also used high-quality, lab tested, solid parts to enhance the durability and performance of the vehicle. With a service interval of 1,00,000kms and long warranty periods (4 years / 4 lakh km on driveline and 2 years unlimited km on vehicle), the 3123R offers low maintenance cost and adds to the usability. Offered in eight different variants, the 3123R retails at a starting price of Rs 22.4 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Specs

Engine - DE175BS4, 6373cc, six-cylinder, diesel with SCR technology

Gross Vehicle Weight – 31 tonnes

Payload capacity – 22.75 tonnes

Wheelbase – 5,775mm and 6,375mm

Ground clearance - 9,867mm and 11,067mm

Axle Configuration – 8X2

Chassis depth - 284mm

Turning circle diameter - 21.6m and 23.2m

Power steering – Yes

Cruise control – Yes

Engine & Performance

Powering the 3123R is a DE175BS4, 6373cc, six-cylinder, 6.4 litres, BS-IV compliant diesel engine featuring fuel-injection and SCR technology. It generates a max power of 235hp at 2,200rpm and a peak torque of 850Nm between 1200-1600rpm. Power and torque are delivered to Fully Floating (Hypoid gear) rear axle via a single dry plate, 395mm clutch plate and 6-speed G85 gearbox at 5.87 axle ratio. The engine has a gradeability of 18.3 percent and the vehicle can reach a top speed of 80kmph.

Vehicle build and load capacity

The vehicle poses solidity as the company has used high-quality material to build the 3123R. The 5,775 wheelbase range is 9,867mm long, while the 6,375 wheelbase range is 11,067mm long. All the variants are 2,490mm wide and 2,960mm tall. The minimum turning circle diameter of 5,775wb range is 21.6m and that of the 6,375wb range is 23.2m. Front track is 2,040mm and the chassis is 284mm deep. When the truck is loaded to its maximum payload capacity of 18.5 tonnes, it sits at 264mm above the ground. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the 3123R is 31 tonnes and the kerb weight is 9.1 tonnes.

Handling and Suspension

A heavy load capacity calls for an efficient handling system that can ensure minimum efforts to handle the truck, while smoothening the vehicle movement. The Bharat Benz 3123R is equipped with a Hydraulic Power Assisted steering along with a tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, which provides easy handling of the truck. To deal with the road bumps and jerks, the vehicle is fitted with Parabolic Type Leaf Spring with dual Hydraulic Shock Absorbers as front suspension and Balancer Type Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs type rear suspension. Moreover, the suspension is further supported by Reverse Elliot and GEE pusher type front axle and Fully Floating Hypoid Gears type rear axle.

Braking & Safety

Braking setup comprises Pneumatic Foot Operated Dual Line service brakes along with Hand Control parking brakes which act on the rear axle. Further enhancing the braking are the engine exhaust brake, ABS and anti-roll bars. The company has also provided other safety features like an inter-wheel differential lock, seat belts, reverse parking buzzer, fog light and tubeless tyres.

Design & Comfort

The 3123 has been developed with a lot of focus on its design and the result is a standout, good looking truck. The exterior body poses superior quality and the design language is pretty modern. At the front, there’s a wide windscreen with large rear view mirrors at both sides. The black-coloured front grille flaunts a Bharat Benz logo and the dual chamber LED headlamps are placed below the front grille. It is very easy to get into the cabin as it is placed at an appropriate height. Inside the tilt-able cabin, you will find 3-way adjustable seats with the sleeper berth. The cabin has an option of air-conditioning and has a mobile charging socket as well.