Mahindra Furio 14

Mahindra Furio 14 is a 6-tyre intermediate commercial vehicle suitable for a multitude of applications that require robust trucks. It is designed to transport industrial goods, auto components, textile industry raw materials, and market loads efficiently. Outfitted with a 3.5-litre mDi FuelSmart tech-integrated engine, the Furio 14 is an efficient haulage solution. 

Developed by Mahindra to give logistical businesses a competitive edge, the FuelSmart technology lets operators choose optimum power and deliver the efficiency necessary to enhance business performance and profitability. Equipped with two drive modes – heavy mode and light mode – the truck can be driven efficiently to meet business requirements. 

Aided by robust aggregates such as a cable shift type double synchro cone 6-speed overdrive gearbox and a main shaft which has deep groove ball bearings, the Furio 14 truck is suitable for continuous haulage operations with minimal downtime. 

A cable shift type manual gearbox in Indian trucks refers to a manual transmission system that uses cables to connect the gear shifter to the transmission. This type of gearbox is designed to offer smoother and more precise gear shifts compared to traditional mechanical linkages.

Further, the Furio 14 is designed for improved rigidity, featuring a cabin that meets the AIS 029 crash norms, set by the Indian government for automotive safety. Additionally, its chassis is constructed using High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) 550 steel, known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, offering durability and strength while remaining lightweight.

Available at a starting price of Rs 22.57 lakh which goes up to Rs 23.59 lakh (ex-showroom), because it comes with multiple performance enablers, the Furio 14 is a comprehensive solution. 

Mahindra Furio 14 Performance

The Mahindra Furio 14 truck is powered by a 3.5-litre mDI Tech 4-cylinder Bharat Stage-VI compliant diesel engine. This engine is engineered to produce 138.12 hp at 2400 rpm and 525 Nm at around 1250-1800 rpm. The diesel engine is also mated to a 6-speed overdrive synchro manual-type transmission.

An overdrive synchro manual-type transmission is a manual transmission system that incorporates an overdrive gear and synchronisers for smoother gear shifting. The overdrive gear allows the engine to run at lower rpm while maintaining higher vehicle speeds, improving fuel efficiency.

Meanwhile, synchronisers help match the speed of the gear and the transmission input shaft during shifts, reducing gear grinding and ensuring durability with lower maintenance requirements.

Mahindra Furio 14 Specifications

The Furio 14 haulage truck is a 14,050 kg gross vehicle weight (GVW) truck available in a day cab body configuration. It comes in three wheelbase options measuring 4500 mm, 5100 mm and 5450 mm and is fitted with a 190-litre diesel tank as standard. There is an option for opting 160-litre diesel tank based on the business requirements of customers.  

The vehicle is also equipped with tyres measuring 209.55 mm in width, with 20-inch diameter rims. Furthermore, the truck has a 2.05 m day cabin which can be tilted for easy access to the engine bay for serviceability.

Mahindra Furio 14 Features

Mahindra Furio 14 is fitted with several features aimed at improving comfort, vehicular performance and driver productivity. These include integrations such as an adjustable driver seat, dual chamber headlights for better visibility at night, an informative driver information system, an ergonomic switch gear on the dash and utility pockets on the door for added convenience. 

Mahindra Furio 14 Rivals 

The 14-tonne intermediate commercial vehicle category is competitive with several key brands eyeing customers' attention. Furio 14 truck and Mahindra is one among them taking on rivals such as Tata 1412 LPT, Tata 1412g LPT (CNG), Eicher Pro 3014, Eicher Pro 2110XP Plus, Eicher Pro 2110XP Plus CNG, Ashok Leyland Ecomet 1415 HE, Ashok Leyland BOSS 1415 HB, BharatBenz 1415R, BharatBenz 1415RE.

Overview

Mahindra offers the Furio 14 truck in 14.05-tonne GVW (gross vehicle weight) to meet different business requirements while carrying industrial goods, auto components, textiles, fruits, and vegetables. The Mahindra Furio 14 is available in three wheelbase options – 4500 mm, 5100 mm, and 5450 mm – with a high-side deck and cowl body chassis body variant to deliver market loads efficiently.

 
The intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) is suited for every intercity application by serving as a cargo container and reefer truck equipped with a refrigerated trailer to distribute ice creams and perishable products. It employs FuelSmart engine technology to allow the driver to switch between load and empty mode. An empty mode is used when the vehicle moves with a low load or with an empty cargo body.

When the vehicle travels up a ghat section or carries a rated load on a highway, the load mode is engaged to facilitate seamless last-mile goods delivery. The Furio 14 truck uses Bosch ATS (after-treatment system) which incorporates selective catalytic reduction and mild exhaust gas recirculation to lower diesel engine emissions, offering an eco-friendly logistical solution. With low AdBlue consumption, its BS6 ATS maximises savings and profitability for businesses.

Exterior

The Furio 14 BS6 truck is built with a strong I-section and tubular-type chassis made of high-strength low-alloy material (HSLA 550) to suit Indian roads. Its chassis has a bolted construction to allow for easy repairability whenever needed. The powder-coated cross member uses an electric charge to fuse a powder to its metal surface to protect it from corrosion and fading.

However, the cathodic electro-deposition (CED) coated long member uses a water-based primer coating to deposit paint uniformly even its sharp corners and its complex surface connected to the cathode. The Furio 14 has an elegant fascia with Mahindra's signature wide grille to allow air to enter and cool the radiator. It also provides a provision for a roof luggage carrier to carry additional goods. The vehicle has a side ladder for easy climbing to the cargo body.

Moreover, the 6-tyre truck with its HSD variant gets an internal load body size of 5796 mm in length, 2135 mm in width, and 1900 mm in height. With a 2288 mm load body width option, it is also available in multiple cargo body lengths – 6100 mm, 6711 mm, and 7320 mm. Its radial tyre with a width of 8.25 mm is designed to fit on 20-inch dia wheels to withstand vertical loads. 

Interior 

Since Mahindra believes that maximum driver comfort can result in maximum earnings, the manufacturer focuses on the interior design of all of its vehicles including the Furio 14 truck. The Mahindra Furio 14 comes with a state-of-the-art cabin designed by Pininfarina, the Italian design arm of Mahindra. Its ergonomically designed cabin features good interior space and broader cabin sections to ensure unmatched comfort and high productivity. 

Additionally, the lounge seating with recliners allows co-drivers to relax while cargo ride and the driver can relax during a stopover without leaving the truck. Its cabin design maintains a unique steering knuckle rake angle from the vertical axis to reduce sunlight exposure. Mahindra emphasises that this steering angle helps the operator avoid direct sunlight and ride comfortably even in the intense summer season.

The Furio 14 truck has a 2.05 m wide walk-through cabin to reduce effort inside the cabin while getting access to cabin features. Its day cabin provides lockable storage to keep the toolbox secured, a driver information system to constantly monitor the vehicle's performance, doors with utility pockets, a blower, and a speaker provision. The 4-spoke tilt and telescopic power steering of the Furio 14 model enables the driver to easily change the steering to suit their preferences. To ensure that the driver stays fresh for longer hours during long-haul operations, it also has eight air vents within the cabin to maintain effective air exchange.

Performance

The Furio 14 truck is powered by a 3.5-litre mDI Tech 4-cylinder BS6 diesel engine that produces 138.12 hp (103 kW) at 2400 rpm and 525 Nm at 1250-1800 rpm. The model incorporates an electronic wastegate turbocharger and the 1800 bar CRS (common rail system) to ensure precise fuel injection with flexibility to the fuel injection pressure for improved fuel economy.

Further, its fuel-efficient engine is coupled with a 6-speed overdrive synchromesh gearbox which synchronises the gear speed and transmission shafts before engagement for effortless gear shifting. A 362 mm diameter organic clutch with more contact area delivers the power transmission without slippage. Additionally, the vehicle has a booster to reduce clutch effort and a clutch wear indicator to inform when its replacement might be due.

The 6-wheel truck can handle rough driving conditions without the need for extra leaves thanks to its heavy-duty semi-elliptical suspension. For smooth freight movement over an extended time, the Furio 14 BS6 truck has fuel tank capacity options of 190 and 160 litres. 

Safety

To ensure safety on every cargo ride, the Furio 14 truck is clubbed with anti-roll bars for better stability on sharp cornering, ample headroom to provide safety while driving on bumpy roads, wide windshield and rear mirrors for enhanced visibility, and tubeless and radial tyres for improved puncture resistance. 

Mahinda asserts that to improve the safety quotient, the interior of this vehicle satisfies the automotive industry standard (AIS 029) crash norm, which is used to evaluate the structural integrity and safety performance of the vehicle in frontal collisions. In order to facilitate safe cargo drive at night or in cloudy situations, dual-chamber headlights and wide-spread fog lamps are also fitted. 

Verdict

With its fuel-efficient drivetrain, next-generation safety features, sturdy chassis, and heavy-duty suspension, the Furio 14 can ensure heavy-duty operations both within and between cities. By improving fleet productivity, this 14-tonne GVW truck has the potential to generate revenue for Indian transportation companies.