Tata 1812g LPT

With the growth of logistical businesses, intermediate commercial vehicles (ICVs) are in high demand for long-haul operations. In order to meet the growing demand for ICVs and promote sustainable transportation, Tata Motors is now producing compelling CNG-powered vehicles like the Tata 1812g LPT.

Being an eco-friendly solution for intercity haulage applications, this CNG model addresses multiple business needs. The 1812g LPT is a long platform truck with a 17,750 kg gross vehicle weight (GVW) to carry LPG cylinders, water bottles, fruits, vegetables, and market loads. 

Moreover, the truck is available in four variants – L17.2, L20.4, L22, and L24.4 – with two body configurations like CBC and HSD. This 1812g LPT truck's 225 mm ground clearance is taken into consideration during its construction to ensure that freight may be transported even on rough terrain. 

With a gradeability of 26.87 percent, the truck can also readily transport cargo over flyovers. The 1812g LPT is an ideal model for driver performance that offers a reverse parking buzzer, a gear shift advisor (GSA), and a fast USB charger.

Tata 1812g LPT Performance

The Tata 1812g LPT intermediate commercial vehicle is driven by a strong powertrain consisting of a 3.8-litre spark ignition naturally aspirated turbocharged CNG engine. Its 3.8 SGI TC engine generates 124 hp (92 kW) at 2250 rpm and 500 Nm at around 1400-1600 rpm. 
Additionally, this fuel-efficient engine is coupled with a 6-speed gearbox G-550 transmission with the help of a 330 mm diameter clutch. The vehicle comes with semi-elliptical leaf springs in the rear and parabolic leaf springs in the front for jerk-free cargo transportation. It also gets 295 mm wide radial tyres with 20-inch wheels. 

Furthermore, the L17.2 variant offers a 438-litre fuel tank, while the L20.4 variant features a 530-litre capacity. Meanwhile, the L22 variant boasts a 550-litre capacity and the L24.4 variant gets a 660-litre fuel tank. These fuel tank capacities reduce the need for frequent refuelling, minimising stoppages and improving operational efficiency.

Tata 1812g LPT Specifications

The 1812g LPT CNG vehicle provides four wheelbase options: 3920 mm in L17.2, 4530 mm in L20.4, 4920 mm in L22, and 5300 mm in L24.4 variant respectively, enhancing stability. For ensuring easy u-turns, the turning circle diameters of its L17.2, L20.4, L22, and L24.4 variants are precisely 14.8 m, 16.3 m, 17.5 m, and 18.7 m, respectively, making it easy to manoeuvre through narrow roads. A 12 V - 100 Ah battery pack is also installed in the vehicle to enhance the powertrain performance. 

Tata 1812g LPT Features

The Tata 1812g LPT incorporates a new multi-functional ergonomic instrument cluster, featuring a driver message screen, average fuel economy indicator, and tell-tale symbols. It also displays a trip indication (Trip A & B), fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, malfunction indication, and screen navigation. 

The truck’s interior is fitted with a new dashboard with a good-quality music system, a Blaupunkt speaker, USB charging ports, a lockable glove box, and a blower fan for added convenience. Besides this, the cabin comes with Melba fabric seats for better comfort in both summer and winter seasons. Its all-steel cabin also ensures safety for the driver in addition to overall driving comfort.  

Furthermore, the 1812g LPT truck gets a soft-touch four-spoke steering wheel with tilt and telescopic function, catering to different driving positions of operators. Its interior also has a white illuminated fascia to help the driver operate the vehicle seamlessly at night with better visibility.

Tata 1812g LPT Rivals

The 1812g LPT from Tata Motors is a perfect partner for sustainable logistics operations in the intermediate commercial vehicle category. However, it faces competition from similar trucks in its category such as Ashok Leyland Ecomet 1615 HE CNG, Tata 1612g LPT, Eicher Pro 2114XP CNG, BharatBenz 1617R, and Mahindra Furio 17.

Overview

Tata Motors' commitment to providing high-end ICV trucks and maintaining its position as the industry leader in commercial vehicles is demonstrated by its ICV portfolio, which includes the Tata 1812g LPT. Being one of the pioneers in the ICV segment, the 1812g LPT fulfils every logistical business requirement. 

The Tata 1812g LPT is a 17.75-tonne gross vehicle weight (GVW) truck which is available in two-body configurations: CBC and HSD. Its loading capacity is more than 10 tonnes, which is sufficient to carry fruits, vegetables, food grains, milk containers, and market loads.

The 1812g LPT truck is poised to make a significant impact on the commercial vehicle market thanks to its value-added features like the reverse parking buzzer, driving seat suspension that can be adjusted based on the driver's weight, and fleet edge telematics system. Thanks to Tata Motors' expertise in BS6 technology, most customers choose this CNG truck above others to improve the total cost of ownership and mileage.   

Exterior

The Tata 1812g LPT is engineered to improve performance, safety, and driveability, just like other Tata LPT trucks. A sturdy lower crash bar and front proximity mirrors are integrated into the model's robust fascia. Since there is a gap between the bars that do not allow anything to reach up to the headlights, its crash bar can protect the headlights from impact. 

Further, this 1812g LPT model boasts box-shaped halogen headlights for excellent night visibility to ensure safe cargo transportation. For supporting the cargo loads during the long lead application, it comes with four different wheelbase options: 3920 mm, 4530 mm, 4920 mm, and 5300 mm.

The model also has a strong tailgate and columns attached to its taller load body, all of which improve its appearance. Its four rear and two front radial tyres improve its stability at high speeds. The tyres have wide tread surfaces for improved traction and better grip on various road surfaces. 

Interior

The interior of the 1812g LPT truck is furnished with next-gen features, matching its appealing exterior design. It has a new dashboard with features like a high-quality audio system with Blaupunkt speakers, a lockable glove box, a blower fan, and a fast USB charging point to increase driver productivity. 

In addition to this, the truck is offered with tilt and telescopic steering to navigate city traffic effortlessly. It has a multi-functional ergonomic instrument cluster with a driver message screen, tell-tale symbols, a gear shift advisor, and average fuel economy to enhance fleet performance. Its cabin is equipped with mechanically suspended seats made of Melba fabric to lessen driving fatigue and improve overall comfort.  

Performance

The Tata 1812g LPT is powered by a 3.8-litre SGI turbocharged intercooled CNG engine that produces 124 hp at 2250 rpm and 500 Nm at 1400-1600 rpm. Its BS6-compliant engine is coupled with a G-550 type 6-speed gearbox by using a 330 mm diameter clutch for optimum power transmission. 

Additionally, the truck gets 295 mm wide radial tyres for a 20-inch diameter wheel to offer less rolling resistance. The 1812g LPT is fitted with semi-elliptical leaves with auxiliary springs in the rear and parabolic suspension in the front for improved stability under full load conditions. 

Customers have a choice of four distinct load body variants with different fuel tank capacities: 438 litres in L17.2, 530 litres in L20.4, 550 litres in L22, and 660 litres in the L24.4 variant for extended haulage operations with fast turnaround time. 

Further, the L17.2 variant gets a turning circle diameter (TCD) of 14.8 metres, the L20.4 variant gets 16.3 m, the L22 variant gets 17.5 m, and the L24.4 variant gets 18.7 m TCD to ensure smooth manoeuvering in crowded situations.

Safety

The 1812g LPT CNG truck is equipped with top-notch safety features, such as a refuelling interlock mechanism to ensure the nozzle rests in the fill pipe properly, a high-pressure filter to protect sensitive parts from maximum pressure, an auto shut-off valve to shut off fuel supply unless certain essential conditions exist. 

In addition, the vehicle has an all-steel cabin with good build quality to protect the driver in the event of a collision. To ensure safety, the truck is incorporated with air brakes and an auto slack adjuster to effectively regulate its speed. By tightening the brake linkage, its automated slack adjusters remove the need for manual adjustment. 

Verdict 

With its robust suspension, numerous safety features, driver performance enhancers, comfortable cabin, and sustainable CNG engine, the Tata 1812g LPT is a perfect choice for businesses looking for profit from their cargo transportation services.