Overview

Mahindra Alfa is one of the most successful mini trucks in the three-wheeler commercial vehicle segment from the stable of Mahindra, which is the top-selling brand in India. The company presently sells the three-wheeler mini truck with a CNG and a diesel versions of Alfa. Being made up of sheet metal, the vehicle looks robust and looks new even after years of usage.

The mini truck has a good mileage and power. These feature make this mini truck very dependable with the large cargo capacity. The noise level and engine vibrations are far less in the Alfa than compared to some of its competitors, thanks to the use of improved engine mounting technology. With an annual sales of approx 2.2 lakh units, the three-wheeler segment is a big potential in the market and will grow further on account of increasing transportation needs.

The three wheeler is designed and developed based on the customer feedback to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride for passengers as well as the driver, without compromising on the cargo capacity. It is available in two different load bearing body options that ensure that all the needs of small businesses are fulfilled.

Here are some of the best features of the Mahindra Alfa based on certain parameters given below.

Specs

• Engine - Single cylinder, direct injection 436 cc diesel / 395 cc CNG
• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - 995 kilograms
• Wheelbase - 2005 mm
• Power steering - No

Engine and Performance

The Mahindra Alfa is powered by a single cylinder direct-injection 436cc diesel engine. The oil-burner churns out a maximum power of 5.52 bhp at 3,600 rpm and a peak torque of 18 Nm that comes at 2,000- 2,400 rpm.

On the other hand, the CNG variant is powered by a single cylinder spark ignition 395cc engine that generates about 21 Nm at 2,000 rpm. Both the engines are air-cooled and the power is transferred to the wheels via a constant mesh 5-speed gear transmission system.

The mini-truck isn’t very big and heavy, Hence, the small amount of power and torque turns out to be enough to drive a fully loaded vehicle with ease.

Vehicle Built and Load Capacity

The Mahindra Alfa mini truck comes with a monocoque chassis with cabin and two doors. It has a comfortable cabin with decent headroom and legroom. The seating for the driver is in the middle of the cabin, and is easy to board and alight. The seats are very comfortable and are built for fatigue-free long journeys. The gear shift is on the handlebars, which is also the steering of the vehicle.

The gross vehicle weight of the truck is 995 kilogram and the kerb weight is about 540 kilograms. The wheelbase of the mini truck is about 2,005 mm and the turning radius is 3,500 mm.

Handling and Suspension

The Mahindra Alfa has a handlebar steering, which makes it easier to manoeuvre the vehicle around narrow streets and sharp turns. In the suspension department, the Alfa truck has a McPherson Strut unit at the front and rubber springs at the rear with leaf spring telescopic shock absorbers for all the variants of the vehicle. The combination of these shock absorbers provide a bump-free ride for the driver and passenger.

Braking and Safety

The Mahindra Alfa comes with hydraulic drum brakes at both front and rear axles with leading and trailing brake shoes, ensuring the safety of the passengers and helping in stopping the vehicle with utmost load in higher than usual speeds.

Features like taller side panels, clear lens headlamps, extra snorkel height, crash tested monocoque cabin and a strong chassis material further enhance the safety of the vehicle.

Design and Comfort

The Mahindra Alfa has a well preserved basic design that meets all the requirements of the daily needs of modern day business, such as the latest headlamps and multicolour availability. The cabin is designed ergonomically and is quite spacious according for the occupants.

The seats are made with best quality, non-setting foam material to provide greater level of comfort as compared to the PU+PE materials used in other vehicles in the same category. The driver’s cabin is more comfortable and ensures an excellent cross-ventilation and an effortless entry and exit.