Tata 407 Gold SFC

Tata Motors with its 407 Gold SFC truck dominates the LCV (light commercial vehicle) market in India. One of the key factors that gives Tata Motors an edge in the highly competitive LCV truck market of India is the strong powertrain performance of the 407 Gold SFC LCV truck. The Tata 407 Gold SFC is a 4.65-tonne GVW (gross vehicle weight) truck perfect for last-mile goods delivery.

With a compact body configuration and high load-carrying capacity of 2 tons, the vehicle helps in transporting milk cans, fruits, vegetables, cold drinks, gas cylinders, and dairy products. It is designed with a solid body on the SFC (semi-forward control) cabin to facilitate safe cargo delivery. Its low-loading platform ensures easy loading and unloading of cargo material. 

Additionally, the 407 Gold SFC diesel truck incorporates a lightweight cargo body with increased strength to carry voluminous market loads for both intracity and intercity applications. With high reliability and improved drivability, the model is an ideal logistical solution for cargo mobility in cities. Its ex-showroom price starts from Rs 10.75 lakh and goes up to Rs 13.26 lakh.

Tata 407 Gold SFC Performance

The Tata 407 Gold SFC truck is powered by a 4SP CR BS6-compliant diesel engine that is capable of producing 100hp at 2800rpm and a peak torque of 300Nm at 1000-2200rpm. Its engine is paired with a G400 gearbox of 5 forward and 1 reverse speed for better power delivery and fuel efficiency.

Featuring parabolic suspension and hydraulic double-acting telescopic shock absorbers at the front, the light-duty truck dampens the jerk motion while moving over bumps on the road. At the rear, it has a semi-elliptical leaf spring with shock absorbers to ensure smooth cargo movement. It comes with a 60-litre fuel tank to dispense the fuel supply to the vehicle for an uninterrupted cargo ride. 

With robust aggregates and banjo-type rear axles, the 407 Gold SFC maintains a decent loading capacity and improves its performance. Tata Motors states that this model has improved 40 percent gradeabilty with 21.41 percent gradeability for effortless distribution of goods over slopes. The vehicle has a maintenance-free H2LS (hydraulic twin leading shoe) braking system to control the vehicle. Its ground clearance of 209 mm ensures comfortable freight movement even in poor road conditions. 

Tata 407 Gold SFC Specifications

Built with a 2955 mm wheelbase, the Tata 407 Gold SFC is offered in CBC (cowl body chassis), FSD (full side deck), and HDLB (high deck load body) body variants. It gets a 2529.8 mm deck length with a GVW of 4650 kg. Furthermore, its overall length is 4687 mm in CBC and 4850 mm in HDLB body. Its overall height is 2280 mm in CBC which is slightly lesser than that of 2790 mm in HDLB. The overall width of 1905 mm is maintained in its CBC variant and 2100 mm width is maintained in its HDLB variant.

The Tata 407 Gold SFC truck is outfitted with a ladder-type chassis frame and bolted cross members. Its long member size is 180 mm in length, 55 mm in width, and 5 mm in thickness. It features 4 radial tyres with less rolling resistance for improved fuel efficiency.

Tata 407 Gold SFC Features

The Tata 407 Gold SFC is quite rich in features with a new generation instrument cluster to show air pressure, speed, brake, seat belt warning, temperature, and fuel economy. It is embedded with a low hysteresis clutch along with a high-sized clutch booster to reduce the pedal efforts of the operator.

With optimised gear shift travel, the model reduces gear shift efforts by 30 percent as compared to its previous BS4 model. It is fitted with comfortable and adjustable seats that can be adjusted as per the driver’s height. The vehicle has power steering for driver’s convenience to improve fleet operations. 

Apart from these features, there is a white illumination facia and light around the ignition switch which helps the driver to enter the cabin at night and to start the vehicle without difficulties. In this model, a gear shift advisor in the instrument cluster is also available to help the driver drive in the proper gear to extract the highest fuel efficiency.

Tata 407 Gold SFC Rivals

While the Tata 407 Gold SFC is a value-for-money product that has been dominant in the LCV segment, it does face competition from the likes of other LCV trucks such as the Eicher Pro 2049, Mahindra JAYO, and the Ashok Leyland Partner 4 Tyre.

Overview:

India’s light-duty commercial vehicle (LCV) market is highly competitive with several top brands looking to offer value-for-money business propositions to customers. Some of the brands that are aiming to offer light-duty trucks in India are Tata Motors,  Ashok Leyland, Eicher, BharatBenz and Mahindra. 

Speaking of Tata Motors, its 407 model LCV truck has been the first choice among truck buyers for many decades now. Launched back in 1986, Tata Motors claims that the 407 has come a long way to become one of the safest LCVs currently available in the market.

Known today as the Tata 407 Gold SFC, that carries the original DNA of the 1986 407 truck, Tata asserts that the new 407 Gold SFC truck continues to offer the same compelling business advantage to truck owners that the original 407 offered.

The 407 Gold SFC is a light truck that serves both the urban and rural cargo needs of customers. It is compact in design, comes with a robust engine and aggregates, and is reliable. Looking to learn more about the Tata 407 Gold SFC to make an informed decision? You're in the right place. Read on:

Exterior Design:

One of the unique selling propositions of the 407 Gold SFC platform is its original 407 look and feel, despite its debut being decades ago. The cabin, sharp grille, and unique nose make it stand out from other trucks in its segment. It is the only truck that has a semi-forward cabin (SFC) design in the LCV segment.

Despite the revamp, Tata Motors has not changed much in terms of design. The 4450kg GVW (gross vehicle weight) category cargo truck comes with a load body of 8.3 feet in length, 6.5 feet in width, and a height of 1.06 feet. It gets the 7.00-R16LT 12 PR tyre, and a 60-litre fuel tank fitted on the side. 

Interior:

The cabin is packed with features such as a high-quality music system with Blaupunkt speakers, a high-speed USB mobile charger, and a new multi-function ergonomic instrument cluster with a gear shift advisor. It has Melba fabric seats that make the cabin ergonomic, and comfortable in both summer and winter.

The Tata truck’s new-generation instrument cluster also displays a trip indication, fuel level, DEF level, air pressure, seat belt warning, engine temperature, DPF regeneration, time, and fault-related indications. Apart from these, the cabin has white illumination fascia and an ignition switch for easy accessibility.

Performance:

Performance is another area where the 407 Gold SFC has a proven track record. The Tata truck gets a 4SPCR engine, which produces 134hp, and 300Nm at around 1200-2200rpm. This makes the SFC truck suitable for market load, fruits and vegetables, FMCG, White Goods, e-commerce, parcel and courier, LPG cylinders, poultry, cash van, milk, bottle carriers, and fish and fish feed applications.

The 407 Gold SFC also offers higher load-carrying capacity and reduced leakage risks with a banjo-type rear axle. The truck even has superior ride comfort with a parabolic leaf spring and hydraulic double-acting shock absorbers in the front and a semi-elliptical leaf spring with hydraulic double-acting shock absorbers in the rear.

Constructed with high-strength steel (800MPa) for superior tensile strength, the chassis of the 407 Gold SFC is the strongest in its segment. Its bolted design enhances modularity and its serrated coupling flange propeller shafts offer better reliability and lower maintenance.

Further, the truck is equipped with H2LS brakes which offer better efficiency and help in better control. The brake setup is basically maintenance-free and durable.

Safety:

Indian trucks have rapidly progressed with safety now a top priority for truck owners. OEMs are integrating numerous in-built and standalone safety features to enhance truck, driver, and cargo safety. The 407 Gold SFC is no exception; it is equipped with necessary safety features, including a tough and sturdy SFC cabin, and robust suspension and brakes. 

Verdict: 

Taking a closer look at the Tata 407 Gold SFC, it seems like a value-for-money truck in the light-duty cargo carrier segment which gives you good mileage, durability, and higher payload and comes at an affordable price tag. 

Key standout features of the Tata 407 Gold SFC include the newly refined engine, larger cargo bodies, a modern and contemporary cabin, and superior build quality.